DIY Sump
- Thread starter kpk
- Start date
the claw
Active Member
I'm not positive, but I think that one of the objects of biobialls are to keep them where they are exposed to air, in other words above the water line. Those that are stuck below water just collect detritus. One of the main advantages of a sump is for the skimmer. If you aren't going to use the skimmer, or a refugium, then why the sump?
the claw
Active Member
I would always recommend that you run a protein skimmer. That can either be a hang on the back, or one that fits in your sump. I especially recommend a refugium. They are positive in so many ways, and they don't have to be very big either. There are several great designs out there that combine them both. I use a emperor 400 as a redundant filter, mostly for a place to add my carbon. It also acts as a back up biofilter and mechanical filter. It serves as a miniature refugium for a whole pile of pods. I use my sump to put my heater in, and to act as a surface skimmer for my dispay. I sponge that I clean weeky or so acts a another mechanical filter. I then have my refugium for macroalgae and more pods. I believe this set-up aids in oxygenating the water. It also(the sump) adds a place Where I can add top off water without dangering my display as much. I have never used bio-balls, and have heard negative things about them.
the claw
Active Member
I used a ten gallon aquarium for my sump. I then added baffles(dividers) that I made from plexglass bought at Lowes. This is to minimize air bubbles from returning to my main tank. Water is diffused over a spong from my overflow into my sump. This acts to keep water from splashing, and acts as a second mechanical filter. It stays pretty clean. I then have a main compartment that has my heater, PH probe and temperature probe. In this main compartment I have my return pump which is a MD9.5 (Oh my gosh I can't think of the brand name). This return lin has a ball valve on it for control. There is a T above my sump that send water over to my refugium which is a large rubbermaid container that sits next to this tank. That line also has a ball valve for flow control. There are two bulkheads drilled into the refugium to return water back to my sump. I have two just in case one plugs up. This water then goes through a couple of baffles which goes back to my return pump. This main compartment is where I add everything. There would be room for a skimmer here, but I have a hang on the back type. I will replace that with one when it dies.
Hope this helps.
The patron to this design was DVS. Mine is slightly altered, but came from their concept. Try a search, and they have a great diagram. If they happen to chime in, they might be able to give you the link.
Hope this helps.
The patron to this design was DVS. Mine is slightly altered, but came from their concept. Try a search, and they have a great diagram. If they happen to chime in, they might be able to give you the link.
the claw
Active Member
Thats a great basic diagram. Pretty similiar to what I am going to do underneath my smaller tank when the money is right. I still don't know about the whole bioball theory. It still looks to me like they would be underwater, and I don't understand why that is so bad, because isn't live rock underwater. Hmmmmmmm wish I could help you out on that decision. Maybe somebody else will chime in. I decided against using them for the fact that I have so many redundant filter choices. I think you should definately go with the design that you can have a refugium in.
cordell
Member
yeah bringing up an old post.. but wondering if a fuge is necessary at first.. a new tank I mean? I plan to have a sump for skimmer, heater but am not sure if I need the fuge yet? Also, what size sump would be ideal for a 75gallon? I was thinking maybe two 10 gallons? I can get them cheap is why.. And I figure I could make one the actual sump with skimmer and stuff and the other the fuge. Not sure how I would drain the fuge back into the sump though. I suppose I Could get a 20 or more gallon for decent cheap though at :scared: *****:scared: .. Any thoughts?
cordell
cordell
kpk
Active Member
Hey cordell I DIYed the sump/ref. above and after doing it thought about leavin the bioballs out of the water like they are suppose to be and wish i could change it. I would go with 1 20 gal rather than 2 10gals because you dont wanna half to fight with the water levels etc. JMO. Here is i diagram i made real quick to show kinda what i would rather have than the one i made. Hope this helps and ask more ?'s if needed. Oh and i would definatly get a ref. just better for nitrates and you wont have to mess with it in the future if you built it all in one. 30gal would be even better IMO.
Kyle
Kyle