DIY sump
- Thread starter mlm
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diatom
Guest
Well it can be as simple or complex as you want...all you really have to do is stick it under your tank...add and overflow and a return pump...and there you go instant sump. You might want to add baffels to eliminate any bubbles from going into your return, but for a basic sump that's all you need.
mal
Member
The sump becomes a bio-filter with a bit of time. Gunk and critters from the main tank get into the sump and settle out of the water and onto whatever subsrate you have there, ls, lr, both, macro-algae, whatever, and it biulds up the bio-filter. Then there is another compartment, depending on your sump configuration there could be several, where the return pump, skimmer,heaters and whatever other equipment you don't want in the main tank go. Supms are an easy place to add top off h2o, test, add suppliments and even water changes. I'll never have a tank without one.
mal
Member
You can get pieces of plexi cut to size at most home improvement places. You can then use aquarium silicone to secure them into place where you want them. Your imagination is pretty much the limit as long as whatever materials you use are safe to use in aquariums. (silicone, glue etc.) One of my friends uses a big rubber maid tub, he put two plastic milk crates (the kind with all the holes) in to hold lr and macro, and a smaller tub for his ls. In the remaining space he put the pumps, heaters etc. It looks wierd, but it works.
jedimaster
Member
Hi, I have just finished my sump for my tank. The first thing you have to decide before building it is the plumbing. can you drill a hole in the bottom or side or your tank? This makes thing much easier. I have two hole in the bottom of my tank. one on each side. My sump has three compartments. Two smaller ones on each end and on larger one in the middle. I also encorperated an auto shutoff valve from a toilet(new piece btw not an old one)for the intake to the sump so if the water level gets too high in the sump the main tank won't drain flood over the sump. Anyway, the water drains into my firs compartment filled with bioballs/army men, it then flows over into the largest of the compartments and thats where the heaters, DSB and LR are located. The water then flows into the last and thats where the pump is located that pumps water back into the main tank. I have been thinking about the possible advantage of place the sump in my basement and running the pipes down there. That way I could use a much larger sump and the pump noise wouldn't be a factor. I could just use a pump from a hot tub or something, but I have to check about the corrosion resistance. Anyway I have a couple of diagrams I made up for my design. email me if you want to see them.
N
niki
Guest
Originally posted by jedimaster:
<strong>Hi, I have just finished my sump for my tank. The first thing you have to decide before building it is the plumbing. can you drill a hole in the bottom or side or your tank? This makes thing much easier. I have two hole in the bottom of my tank. one on each side. My sump has three compartments. Two smaller ones on each end and on larger one in the middle. I also encorperated an auto shutoff valve from a toilet(new piece btw not an old one)for the intake to the sump so if the water level gets too high in the sump the main tank won't drain flood over the sump. Anyway, the water drains into my firs compartment filled with bioballs/army men, it then flows over into the largest of the compartments and thats where the heaters, DSB and LR are located. The water then flows into the last and thats where the pump is located that pumps water back into the main tank. I have been thinking about the possible advantage of place the sump in my basement and running the pipes down there. That way I could use a much larger sump and the pump noise wouldn't be a factor. I could just use a pump from a hot tub or something, but I have to check about the corrosion resistance. Anyway I have a couple of diagrams I made up for my design. email me if you want to see them.</strong><hr></blockquote>
<strong>Hi, I have just finished my sump for my tank. The first thing you have to decide before building it is the plumbing. can you drill a hole in the bottom or side or your tank? This makes thing much easier. I have two hole in the bottom of my tank. one on each side. My sump has three compartments. Two smaller ones on each end and on larger one in the middle. I also encorperated an auto shutoff valve from a toilet(new piece btw not an old one)for the intake to the sump so if the water level gets too high in the sump the main tank won't drain flood over the sump. Anyway, the water drains into my firs compartment filled with bioballs/army men, it then flows over into the largest of the compartments and thats where the heaters, DSB and LR are located. The water then flows into the last and thats where the pump is located that pumps water back into the main tank. I have been thinking about the possible advantage of place the sump in my basement and running the pipes down there. That way I could use a much larger sump and the pump noise wouldn't be a factor. I could just use a pump from a hot tub or something, but I have to check about the corrosion resistance. Anyway I have a couple of diagrams I made up for my design. email me if you want to see them.</strong><hr></blockquote>
