i need to build a sump.

mopar9012

mopar9012

Active Member
I would like to build a sump, i really dont know what to do though. I have a question first.
If i build a sump will there be any risk that it could make my tank crash?
I have a standard 29 gallon that i bought from walmart. Would i have to drill this tank?
What size sump would u recommend? Has anyone ever built a sump for a running tank?
Does anyone have any Directions on building one?
 
murray bmf

murray bmf

Member
I bought a 22 gal long tank and put my own baffles in it, creating a chamber for my skimmer, "refugium" and return pump. The baffles keeps everything separate. I got the plexi glass from home depot and used aquarium sealant from wal*mart. It really wasn't that hard and I noticed a huge difference in my water quality. My tank is "reef ready" so I didn't need an overflow box and for a return pump I used a Mag 7 connected to PVC piping. I built a spray bar that runs a good portion of the length of the tank. All and all it works great. As far as making your tank crash I don't know.
 
skyman

skyman

Member
I was thinking about a using a spray bar for gravity return from my fuge. I would like to know how you did yours. I was thinkin using a piece of pvc drill, some holes in it. Only thing that worries me is the holes plugging up and I would over flow my fuge. My display tank is in the middle. sump wet/dry under tank. A seperate pump in dispay tank feeds water to fuge above dispay tank. The fuge gravity drains back to tank. I thought that I could add an second hole (i quess you would say over flow) so if the spary bar plugs I will have a backup to return water back to display tank. I am not sure how big to drill holes. I am using a 20 gal tank as fuge. Approx 100 gal per hour through was thinking of stepping up to a bigger pump and push 200 gal per hour 10x turning over rate in fuge. Thanks for any info
 
murray bmf

murray bmf

Member
As far as making the spray bar, you hit the nail on the head. PVC and a drill. In the 5 years or so I have had my current set up I have never had the holes get clogged, so I don't really think that would be a problem (knock on wood). The key is having a big enough sump and positioning you spraybar high enough on the water so if you lose power and the water siphons into you sump, it is big enough to accomodate it. I'm sure there are many different ways, probably better, this is the way I did mine. My set is Display tank on top, sump on bottom. Yours seems a lot more complicated, I might have to think about this one. Any one else have any ideas
 
tomtoro

tomtoro

Member
I did the same thing Murray did by making it myself. Mine was running for 8 years prior to the sump. It wasn't reef ready so I used a cpr cs2 overflow, a mag 9.5 for the return and had a refugium in the middle. (3) 12" baffles in front of the ref and (3) behind. Works great, although I think I'd make the return area larger so I'm not always filling it back up with topwater. Always something to buy in this hobby. Looking now for a reliable top off system now.
Let me know if you want to see a pic of the ref and I'll post it in this thread. These guys are probably sick of seeing it.
I hooked my new sump up to the display tank, added some fresh seawater to the baffle lines and didn't have a problem.
Good luck,
Tom
 
gatorwpb

gatorwpb

Active Member
Here is mine. Its a 20 gal long. I didnt install the baffles, but could have. Works really well.
 
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