building a sump

pupnsuds211 · 02-19-2008, 10:49 PM

i realized weve got 3 or 4 20 -30 gal glass tanks sitting in our warehouse, so i decided, instead of going and buying a snake or some other random reptile, id have hubby build a sump/refugium. so ive got a few questions, ive read(religiously) the forums i could find on everyone elses diy sump experiences....

can i use my current skimmer? its a remora c hang on...

where exactly do you put the heaters/powerheads. i remember someone somwhere said you can put power heads in there.....

my tank is NOT pre-drilled. what would be required to set up my tank for the sump as far as tubing, etc?

i think thats all for now.......

RustyNut · 02-20-2008, 12:07 AM

As far as the Tank not being Pre-drilled, you would have to use a HOB overflow. This obviously isn't an optimal way to go, since there is a slightly greater risk of flooding under certain situations. Some models have designs to address those issues, but they are also something else that can break....

pupnsuds211 · 02-20-2008, 12:29 AM

so what would someone recommend for this kind of situation?

RustyNut · 02-20-2008, 10:18 AM

Don't get me wrong, you either get a the tank drilled (not an option for you since its filled) or you use the HOB overflow.... I didn't mean to overstate the risk, only to inform why it wasn't as ideal a situation.

pupnsuds211 · 02-20-2008, 01:33 PM

alright, i looked at overflows. however i still would like to know if i can use my current skimmer or if i need to buy a new one?

Shock · 02-20-2008, 01:57 PM

Hey Pupnsuds, I dont see why you couldnt use ur current skimmer, all a sump is a area for more water volume and places to hide equipment. I dont know if you checked it out, but when i was looking to build a sump melevsreef came in handy. Here is a link http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

Chitown1 · 02-20-2008, 06:05 PM

I have seen several systems using hang on skimmers on the sump/fuge and it works fine, it is best to only have one area with that high with baffles and another larger area that has a lower water level to accomidate for power outages. It should also be slower flowing than a unit with an is sump skimmer, I would go for 300-400 gph if possible to give the water more time to go through the skimmer.

pupnsuds211 · 02-21-2008, 05:18 PM

awesome, i went to my lfs yesterday and he confirmed that. he also said the cpr overflows work wonders, that he has only ever done overflow boxes for his sumps and has never encountered a problem.... i am curious though, what size overflow should i get? and chitown, could you explain this a little better? "it is best to only have one area with that high with baffles and another larger area that has a lower water level to accomidate for power outages."

Nereaga · 02-21-2008, 08:23 PM

Hey Pupnsuds,

I have been running a CPR continuous syphon(CS) 90 for about 3 months now. I have encountered a few times where I have lost power a few times. The syphon has never broken. I do run the aqualifter with in just as a backup. I also check to see if the pump is still working, daily!

I think you could use the same one I am using. The CS90 removes about 600gph from the tank. You could use this and adjust the flow with your return pump and a ball valve. It uses 1'' pvc pipe which will allow approx 600gph to pass through. I dont think you need to go any bigger with an overflow. A 1'' bulkhead should be plenty....

Like Chitown said, you want to target 300-400gph through the sump, just to increase contact time with the skimmer.

pupnsuds211 · 02-22-2008, 11:46 PM

awesome, im having hubby read all of your comments! so would it be okay to put the refugium on the right, then baffles, then the skimmer, then baffles, then the heater, baffles, return pump? or is there a better way. i really would like to put the heater in another area.

i know you had two flows, one into the refugiuma nd one into a second area in the tank... i cant remember if thats where the skimmer was... the lower flow should go to the refugium right?