looking for a sump, advice please

johnny2010

johnny2010

New Member
ok i am about to start buying what i need to set up my 75 gal reef, i am just overwhelmed with al the different choices/types of sumps with in sump skimmer and an overflow, what are some good brands or ways to get this done, keep in mind that i am mechanically inclined, but have no means of doing any major building, due to the fact that i live in apartment complex and they forbid it, buying (unfortunately
) is my only option for the time being, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thank you

also, i am going to add a refugium, but not right away, was wanting to make it separate from the sump with skimmer due to where my tank is gonna be
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I used a glass tank for mine...basically here is the method. I have a picture, it isn't pretty but it is functional. It's under the stand so who cares about looks. I’m sure you ar anyone else can do better..LOL

Get a tank that will fit in your stand. Acrylic or glass. Purchase or cut baffles (sections of glass to separate the tank chambers) Set baffles in two areas. One section is where the skimmer goes (make sure there is enough room), the middle section is where the return pump goes and the end section is the refugium.

Use three baffles for the skimmer side. All the same size. Silicone or glue (depends on glass or acrylic) the center baffle first and raise it 1 1/2 inches off of the bottom of the tank. Then attach the other two, one on each side about 1 inch apart all the way to the bottom and seal it real good. This is a bubble trap to protect against micro bubbles.

On the refugium side us only two baffles but taller than the other side. The first baffle makes the refugium and is all the way to the bottom and sealed real good, the next one on the pump side is raised off the bottom 1 1/2 inches.


 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I use a CPR CS50 overflow on my 30g and a CPR CS90 on my 90g. I use an octopus sss1000 in sump skimmer on my 90g and I love it. I use an Ehiem 3000 return pump on the 90g and a 2000 return pump on my 30g.
 
johnny2010

johnny2010

New Member
thank you for the info Flower, i know where i can get a small tank for cheap, the baffles i think i can come up with as well, but ?, i am wanting my fuge separate, so do i just not worry bout the the second set of baffles, or is it a good idea to go ahead and do it anyway, and for the other things, (skimmer, overflow, and pumps) i think those are the ones i was looking at,
This is gonna be a slow process but it is starting, lol getting excited and dont even have my tank wet yet, lol
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I have two tanks under my 90g..the 18g refugium pours into the return chamber in the sump. The skimmer sits to the left in a chamber feeding into the return. My 30g is a single tank set up the same way. The baffles on the end were placed there to make a refugium chamber. You don’t have to make a chamber if you want a separate tank. Space is an issue in my house so a single tank doing it all works for me.
You can make a chamber for your skimmer and the other as a return, just don’t put the end two baffles on. That is the beauty of DIY…because you can have it your way.
 
johnny2010

johnny2010

New Member
you wouldnt happen to have a pic of your set up handy do you, i think i know what it would look like but just not sure, the LFS near me has all there set ups in the back and wont let me take a look, lol and i dont know anyone with a SW tank
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/383324/looking-for-a-sump-advice-please#post_3352246
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny2010 http:///forum/thread/383324/looking-for-a-sump-advice-please#post_3352245
you wouldnt happen to have a pic of your set up handy do you, i think i know what it would look like but just not sure, the LFS near me has all there set ups in the back and wont let me take a look, lol and i dont know anyone with a SW tank
Here is Flowers Sump


I have a question...my sump does look like that water level, but not always. Sometimes the return and skimmer sides are above the baffles and the same level. If I try and make it right ..in a few days it is way too low. If I just leave it alone...in a day or two it will go back to normal...any idea why?
It isn't a top off problem, I think the skimmer has sometng to do with it.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Quote:
its not a whole lot but i am buying little by little, what you have in mind floridajoe
if you can afford it i would go with a already made sump.
Flower the only way IMO you can have the condition you state is if you have an intermittent gph of your return pump after you set up your original water volume
 
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