Sump advice and opinions (kinda long)

[chocochipper]

Well a little while back I asked about skimmers cuz I was going to get a new one, but now decided to scrap that idea in favor of making a sump instead. I finally got my seaclone to work, but not without a whole lot of bubbles getting shot into the tank. But it seems to be working pretty good after a month or so of messing around with it. Anyways, I figure if I build a sump and do it correctly I can minimize the bubbles getting into the main tank. Some are better then way too many. If I put a couple dividers in it I'm thinking that will slow the water down a little bit to give the bubbles time to pop. Here's what I have planned so far. A 10 or 15 gallon either rubbermaid or aquarium tank. Filled half way while running. That's about it so this is where I'm looking for ideas. Should the tank be bigger? More or less water? My skimmer is a hang on, but should I hang it on the sump or set it inside and brace it so it won't fall over. I have an Emporer 400 filter on the tank and a spare one I took off a while ago. Should I leave the one on the tank? Move it down to the sump? Or maybe put the spare on the sump as an additional filter? And about the overflow box. Would I be better off buying one or have any of you built your own? I plan on researching on the net also, but would like whatever input you all are willing to give me. Thanks. Any and all opinions appreciated.

 

[mr . salty]

The bigger the sump,the better.A 15 should be fine though.The water level will depend on how much "back syphon" you will have when the system is shut down.When the pump is shut off(power outage) the water from the main tank will back syphon through the pump till the water level in the main tank reaches the end of your return outlet.This can be minimalised by drilling a small hole just below the water level in the main tank(in the return line).You will also need to leave the filter you now have running,either on the main tank,or in the sump.This filter contains bacteria that the tank needs.If you remove it,the system will need to replace this lost bacteria.This may cause a recycle.For an overflow,you would be best off by buying one.This is the most important part of the setup.You don't want to take a chance of it not working correctly....

 

[johnnysalt]

Chocochipper,
To answer your divider question, I used only one divider, about an inch above the bottom of the sump. Works great...I should have put it about 1/2" above though. Some small bubbles still make it underneath but they pop before they get to the return pump so it still works out!
You can get an overflow box on an online auction for around $20 or so.
[ October 03, 2001: Message edited by: JohnnySalt ]