New to Sumps- Want some suggestions

C

cmaxwell39

Guest
I have a 55 gal that I was going to put an overflow box on and add a sump, but I found a deal on a 75 predrilled conerflow tank on that auction site that I couldn't pass up. Oceanic tank, stand, and some sort of lighting fixture for $100. Anyway, going to pick up tank tomorrow and wanted some ideas on how to do my sump.
Had a couple of ideas and didn't know what people thought. First idea is a 30L divided into three comparments. One for a skimmer, one for a fuge and a center return. I would split the drain.
Other idea is to run a 20 gal sump with skimmer, heater, return pump, ect. and the other a 15 gal fuge with a U-tube siphon to feed back into the return compartment in the sump.
A couple of questions, first which idea would be better? Second, recommendations on a good in-sump skimmer for this size tank. Finally any other ideas or suggestions from people who have run sumps before. Oh yeah, what size return pump will I need?
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
 
sign guy

sign guy

Active Member
Originally Posted by cmaxwell39
I have a 55 gal that I was going to put an overflow box on and add a sump, but I found a deal on a 75 predrilled conerflow tank on that auction site that I couldn't pass up. Oceanic tank, stand, and some sort of lighting fixture for $100. Anyway, going to pick up tank tomorrow and wanted some ideas on how to do my sump.
Had a couple of ideas and didn't know what people thought. First idea is a 30L divided into three comparments. One for a skimmer, one for a fuge and a center return. I would split the drain.this is a much better idea
Other idea is to run a 20 gal sump with skimmer, heater, return pump, ect. and the other a 15 gal fuge with a U-tube siphon to feed back into the return compartment in the sump.
A couple of questions, first which idea would be better? Second, recommendations on a good in-sump skimmer for this size tank. ss65 imo Finally any other ideas or suggestions from people who have run sumps before. Oh yeah, what size return pump will I need? it depends on what your overfloew is rated at a good place to be is as much as posble like 10 to 20 times the volume of the tank per hour
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
dont forget room for a heater
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
Thanks signguy for the info. I assume it is a standard overflow based on the fact that it is predrilled. Don't know yet, will be picking up the tank later today. I will have more deffinite measurments then and will be able to better plan sump/fuge size ect.
Where will the heater go? In with the return pump? I do like the idea of having it in the sump.
Since this will be my first sump I am sure that I will have a ton of questions as I get into it farther.
 
sign guy

sign guy

Active Member
Originally Posted by cmaxwell39
Thanks signguy for the info. I assume it is a standard overflow based on the fact that it is predrilled. Don't know yet, will be picking up the tank later today. I will have more deffinite measurments then and will be able to better plan sump/fuge size ect.
Where will the heater go? In with the return pump? I do like the idea of having it in the sump.
Since this will be my first sump I am sure that I will have a ton of questions as I get into it farther.
the tank will probably have A 1 inch hole that can handle 600 gph ime.
Go with a mag 9 if that is the case. yes the heater will fit fine in the pump chamber, also get a media bag for the carbon and put it in the skimmer area
 
my way

my way

Active Member
Depending on your design, the pump chamber might not be the best place for the heaters. If your pump chamber is the type that will only have about 6" of water in it, if you don't top off religiously, the water level could drop causing your heater to overheat and possibly break. I would put it in one of the chambers that is full to the top all the time.
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
Just got home from picking up the tank.
It will need a little work, but seems to be in good shape. It is an Oceanic 75 gal. (48x18x20). It does have holes drilled the bottm corner with a built in overflow box. However none of the plumbing is there so I will need to get bulkheads, standpipes, ect. as well as design my sump/fuge.
The holes in the tank are one at 1.5" and one at 1.75". I assume those are standard sizes. Thanks everyone for the input so far. Next step is to fill tank and make sure no leaks. It was empty when we picked it up, but he guaranteed it not to leak, so that will have to be my project for tomorrow.
Next question, how big of a standard size tank can I put under the stand to make a sump/fuge. Inside dimensions of stand are 46x15x28. Probably need to stay with a 36" tank in order to be able to get it under the stand. I was thinking I could put a 40 gal. under it. will this work?
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
Hey guys,
I tried getting on Oceanics website and could not. I will need the bulkheads for the tank, but does anyone know if I can buy just standard bulkheads from anywhere or if I will have to get them from oceanic? Thanks
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
Well I got the tank filled tonight and good news NO LEAKS. The only down side to this whole thing is that the wife has said that I have to get the new floor down in the kitchen before I can set up the tank. I guess that means that I will be spending a lot of time laying tile in the next couple of weeks. Oh well, that project needed to be done sometime anyway.
I will try to post pics of the tank later, but I am not sure how to attach a picture to the post. If someone could tell me how to do that I will post some pics of the new (to me) tank.
Also still wondering about the bulkheads for the drain and the return line. Do I have to get them from oceanic or is there someplace else to get them? I will also probably have to build my own standpipe and return unless there is someplace to get those from as well.
Oh well it looks as if I am going to have a couple of weeks to get everything gathered together anyway.
 
haguc

haguc

New Member
To post a picture, when you click on reply there is a little icon that shows a mountain in a yellow box. That is the icon to add an image in. Then simply browse to the saved location and click on upload and submit. Wham, there you go. Enjoy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top