how to set up sump
- Thread starter johnnyd
- Start date
privatejoker
Member
Lots of question. I'll start with what you need.
You can use an old/new fish tank, you can build one, or you can buy a pre made sump. I would go with one of the first two choices. The last is alot more money and not custom.
It all depends on what size tank you have. Get an overflow box or a tank that has an overflow or have your tank drilled. Get the biggest tank you can get to use as a sump. I don't know if you want it under your tank or in a fish room. If you want it under your tank make sure you have a low enough tank to work in. Get a pump that is rated for the same if not a little more gph than your overflow. If you want you can hard plumb, which means use PVC or you can use flexible hosing. Either way works just make sure you use a union for PVC, that way you can clean the pump easier.
You should put a ball valve inline somewhere for your return pump. This way when you clean the tank you can cut the flow to the sump. You can also drop the flow if the overflow won't handle your pump. This will keep your sump level where it needs to be.
If you need plans on a sump either search on this site or google it.
You can use an old/new fish tank, you can build one, or you can buy a pre made sump. I would go with one of the first two choices. The last is alot more money and not custom.
It all depends on what size tank you have. Get an overflow box or a tank that has an overflow or have your tank drilled. Get the biggest tank you can get to use as a sump. I don't know if you want it under your tank or in a fish room. If you want it under your tank make sure you have a low enough tank to work in. Get a pump that is rated for the same if not a little more gph than your overflow. If you want you can hard plumb, which means use PVC or you can use flexible hosing. Either way works just make sure you use a union for PVC, that way you can clean the pump easier.
You should put a ball valve inline somewhere for your return pump. This way when you clean the tank you can cut the flow to the sump. You can also drop the flow if the overflow won't handle your pump. This will keep your sump level where it needs to be.
If you need plans on a sump either search on this site or google it.
natclanwy
Active Member
Originally Posted by johnnyd
http:///forum/post/2798899
how do i get a sump set up? if i get the overflow box etc what do i need for return pump, pipes, and how do i get the sump to stay at a constant level and not overflow.
The overflow box will maintain a constant level in your DT which in turn will regulate the water level in the sump. You will want to select a pump that is rated for 70%-100% of the overflows rating after you have subtracted for headloss. You can use vinyl hose, PVC, or spaflex hose to plumb the drain and return lines. To keep your sump from overflowing you need to fill your sump to the maximum level with your return pump off then turn the pump on and let everythin level out and then mark the water level in your return pump chamber this will be your maximum operational water level (ie the maximum fill line when you top off your tank.) If you fill your sump higher than this mark, when the power goes out it can cause your sump to overflow depending on the design of your sump. You also need to have a siphon break in your return plumbing which is just a hole drilled in the plumbing so that when the pump shuts off it pulls air through this hole breaking the siphon.
http:///forum/post/2798899
how do i get a sump set up? if i get the overflow box etc what do i need for return pump, pipes, and how do i get the sump to stay at a constant level and not overflow.
The overflow box will maintain a constant level in your DT which in turn will regulate the water level in the sump. You will want to select a pump that is rated for 70%-100% of the overflows rating after you have subtracted for headloss. You can use vinyl hose, PVC, or spaflex hose to plumb the drain and return lines. To keep your sump from overflowing you need to fill your sump to the maximum level with your return pump off then turn the pump on and let everythin level out and then mark the water level in your return pump chamber this will be your maximum operational water level (ie the maximum fill line when you top off your tank.) If you fill your sump higher than this mark, when the power goes out it can cause your sump to overflow depending on the design of your sump. You also need to have a siphon break in your return plumbing which is just a hole drilled in the plumbing so that when the pump shuts off it pulls air through this hole breaking the siphon.
keebler
Member
There are a million different way to get the water from the tank to the refugium and back. I have a u-tube style overflow and a diy sand cleaner (for lack of a better word) to put the water back into the tank. You can do spray bars or cheap little return parts as well as pvc or abs pipe returns. My advice. Get creative. No two sumps are alike. just make sure it is flood proof. you can check by turning the electricity off for a minute and then back on.