Thinking about adding a sump

gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I'm seriously thinking about adding a sump to my 55, but I want to make sure it is the right thing to do for my system. The reason that I say this is because I plan on moving in June and upgrading. In reality, the move is going to cost a bit of money and realistically I may not be able to upgrade right away like I want to. I want my next system to be my dream build and that means it's going to cost me. In reality, I may have the 55 as my main tank for the next 1-2 years.
What is the best way to go about planning the sump? What plumbing items to I need? I am so clueless about building sumps and need to be pointed in the right direction. This is probably the main reason I have not done a sump. So I am asking for some help and guidance.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Hi there,
I would say add the sump now. Like you said you may be putting off the upgrade, so why not do it now, let it get settled. Then when you move you can set it back up the way you want it until you can build your dream system.
Sumps can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be. I hope 2Quills, Snake, or Acrylic (or any of the other experts) chime in here. You will need a way to get the water from the DT to the sump. Do you feel like drilling the tank?? If not, you will need a HOB overflow box (I am not too familiar with which ones are the best, no personal experience here). Also, you need a way to get the water back to the DT. I have seen return pumps hooked up with simple PVC with a spray nozzle used and they work just fine (gotta make sure you have a siphon break drilled to stop the back siphon when power goes out).
Other then that you need to figure out what you want out of your new sump. What kind of skimmer do you want? Do you want a fuge? Do you plan on running any reactors (like a carbon or phos, BRS dual reactor, or TLF's)? Do you want a filter sock? Melevsreef dot com is a great resource for sump designs and ideas. Check it out.
Do you have a pic of your stand?? How much room do you have to work with? Go with the largest sump you can fit in the space you have.
I am excited for you. This should be a super fun project.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/393820/thinking-about-adding-a-sump#post_3504665
Hi there,
I would say add the sump now. Like you said you may be putting off the upgrade, so why not do it now, let it get settled. Then when you move you can set it back up the way you want it until you can build your dream system.
Sumps can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be. I hope 2Quills, Snake, or Acrylic (or any of the other experts) chime in here. You will need a way to get the water from the DT to the sump. Do you feel like drilling the tank?? If not, you will need a HOB overflow box (I am not too familiar with which ones are the best, no personal experience here). Also, you need a way to get the water back to the DT. I have seen return pumps hooked up with simple PVC with a spray nozzle used and they work just fine (gotta make sure you have a siphon break drilled to stop the back siphon when power goes out).
Other then that you need to figure out what you want out of your new sump. What kind of skimmer do you want? Do you want a fuge? Do you plan on running any reactors (like a carbon or phos, BRS dual reactor, or TLF's)? Do you want a filter sock? Melevsreef dot com is a great resource for sump designs and ideas. Check it out.
Do you have a pic of your stand?? How much room do you have to work with? Go with the largest sump you can fit in the space you have.
I am excited for you. This should be a super fun project.
+1 and +1000 on the last line!
If you want a blow by blow how to...go read a thread called Flowers sump/fuge build. The thread is long, but the beginning posts are all about the how to on the build. You don't have to build your sump from scratch but it does show the how to on that as well. The experts were great at explaining everything step by step, like how the retuen pump operates and how the system is run.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Hey Krista......How big of a tank upgrade are you planning/talking......Your not to far from me and my buddy and I are planning on some road trips possibly your way, I'll PM you my number and you can text me and I might be able to put something together for you.......
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Krista I was told that I'm only nice 1 time a year!!!!!!!
I'll tell you what......You layout your sump or throw your desires/wishes out there, and I'll build your sump.......There is a catch.....You have to promise to make the next swap at Lancaster!!!!!!!!
No just kidding no catch....When you ready it's done!!!!!!
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/393820/thinking-about-adding-a-sump#post_3504810
Krista I was told that I'm only nice 1 time a year!!!!!!!
I'll tell you what......You layout your sump or throw your desires/wishes out there, and I'll build your sump.......There is a catch.....You have to promise to make the next swap at Lancaster!!!!!!!!
No just kidding no catch....When you ready it's done!!!!!!
WOW!! HO HO HO. What a nice thing to offer. I love seeing things like this. Acrylic you ROCK!!!!
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Shawn, you are awesome!! I appreciate this more than you can imagine!!!
The idea for my sump is to have a fuge and a skimmer. I will need to get a new skimmer and will need ideas as to which one. I think there is decent space under the stand.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Sounds like a major upgrade......but definitely will be a fun project.....Get me some measurements inside your current stand.....I don't recall ever seeing a pic of your current stand.....
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I've never posted a pic of the stand. It is a metal stand. Completely open in the bottom.
The usable space is 43" L X 13.5"W X 23" H. The height is to the top beam of the stand.
Pic (excuse the wires it is from the powerheads for my water change bucket):

Had to toss in a pic of my dog. :)
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
No, thank you!!!!
BTW, the miami hurricane I have is growing like crazy. It has about 5 eyes that are starting to pop out.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Here are my goals of the sump: increased water volume, adding a fuge, canister filter gone, take some of the equipment out of the tank and place it in the sump, and add new skimmer in sump. I am used to running carbon in all my setups and I plan to continue running carbon with the sump setup. According to Melevs, I think a phosban reactor is recommended for this. Any insight on this? Also any recommendations for skimmer ideas? Or suggestions about the sump?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Actually agree with the recommendation on what Marc stated about running your carbon in a reactor vs just in a bag or in a passive mode......Skimmer recommendations I'd stick with Reef Octopus, Nac are pretty nice as well, Avast has a really nice kit as well if you get a chance check out their kits.....
Are filter socks and option or thought as far as removing larger particulates instead of letting them be dumped throughout your sump.....Any particular design or setup you liked over on Melevs' site.......
 
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