Thoughts and Comments on getting water to Sump

gregs

gregs

Member
I've decided to scrap the canister filter setup in favor of a Sump, refugium, skimmer undertank setup.
Since my AGA 75g tank is not reef ready, I'm weighing the options of
a) keep with what I have now,
b) have current tank drilled, or
c) buy new reef ready tank.
In regards to option a, the choices include external overflow, (which I'm not to comfortable with based on research), or this fleeding thought I had and solicitate comments on.
Using my current canister filter (with no media or baskets) to draw water from the display tank and feed into the sump.
With this setup I'll size the return pump with the canisters rating to balance water out with water in, and position the supply line as to ensure a failure to the return pump does not overflow my sump, and position the return pump as to prevent overflow of my main tank.
Thanks in advance,
Greg
 
thegrog

thegrog

Active Member
hmmmmmm :thinking:
From what I have observed, balancing two pumps is nearly impossible in the long run. One of them will surely lessen outflow over time with the gradual accumulation of gunk, especially with a canister in that the flow slowly reduces as the filters get full. Eventually you would either have a too-full sump or a dry sump.
Of the above options, I would favor drilling the tank. Although, buying a new tank would give a chance to upgrade!!! :thinking:
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
Grog nailed it on the head for balancing two pumps being downright frustrating. I have always liked dual overflows. Just for peice of mind and not having one potentially clog and then it emptying your sump over the top of your tank. Drilling isnt difficult just take your time and do it smooth and slow. I would think you would be much much happier in the long run drilling.
 
gregs

gregs

Member
The bottom is tempered glass and undrillable. Is this an accurate assessment of options?
1" hole nearest the bottom as I can get, which may be 2-3" off the bottom surface. Installation of internal overflow box/kit, elbow and tubing suppling the sump. Seems to me that debris would collect under the drilled hole, but controlled with regular cleaning.
1" hole nearest the top where water level would be maintained flowing into an elbox and sump supply line. Noisy???
Should this decision point drive my skimmer selection (with or without pump) and how the water is introduced to the skimmer (from overflow line or pump fed)?
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
common thought is to have the rawest water possible feed the skimmer (placement restrictions considered)
I would vote for the lower hole on back glass with an elbow, but do you NEED an overflow box? just run the elbow back up to desired waterlevel and let it be the overflow itself. You can always paint the PVC with epoxy paint if color bothers you.
 
gregs

gregs

Member
ReefFor, Not sure I follow, but find your comments interesting.
Drill hole near bottom, and point elbow up? Inside the tank? The opening of the pvc would be the overflow point? a Second elbow outside the tank pointed down for the supply line?
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
Im old school, back before all these fancypants overflow drop ins we would use our plumbing intake as the waterline, run 2 so you dont have to worry about something clogging one without you noticing it and then emptying your sump over the top of the tank. paint or use glue and roll it in sand then assemble. I will dig for a picture but you can also drill a 1.25" hole with a hammer drill and a 10 dollar/perday rented mason's bit from HD and then slip the rock OVER the pipe. Use similar tech when plumbing your return but we would drill much higher on the backside of tank as so worstcase and everything dies in a poweroutage you wont have backflow issue draining your tank via your fill tube bypassing your pumps internals. Adding a gate outside the tank for all plumbing is great but who knows if your off on holiday and a neighbor is feeding your reef, they wont know the first thing about how to stop the water. Now they have backflow stops and gadgets that eliminate this but its quite simple and looks clean when done.
Make sense so far?
when plumbing your return back through the bottom or backside of glass, make it match your backdrop and either split it with a "T" outside the tank and have it enter two genericly placed locations then once inside make them like modular hubs to plug in a spraybar for light even flow, or jointed flex to pinpiont flow without having clunky powerheads or other gear inside the tank. Add ball valves everywhere outside the tank so you can adjust flow exactly where you want everything as you desire. since your using PVC many oldschoolers even use sprinkler heads as powerheads, the little screw on pop ups, just grab the different spray patterns and play till you get everything how you like.
Wow flashback 20 years of reef keeping tech in this thread. primitive but it works great and its reliable, fully adjustable.........and best of all CHEAP!!!
 
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