sump question

phils514 · 02-09-2007, 06:32 PM

Hi, I just made a 5 gal sump for my 20 gal tank. It's located below the main tank. My question is, what can I use as pumps? whats a good model with good price? and how should I set it up. I know theres a thread for building a sump/refugium but I just need a simple 1 because i have my skimmer and filters in it. any suggestions?

Loman · 02-09-2007, 06:41 PM

Phil,
You need some type of overflow box to extract the waer from your tank and get it to the fuge without the potential of a flood. The flow from the overflow to the sump/fuge needs to be faster than the return.

gm333 · 02-09-2007, 06:46 PM

Wow, never thought about going that small, I have no clue, because I dont think they make overflows that small. You can always try 2 pumps one with a slower flow rate than the other, because you will need more flow to get the water back up and into the tank. Going to have to think this one through a little more. As far as the setup in the sump, you could do fine with one divider, this way the water will not totally fill the sump, and will allow for excess water in case the power goes off.

phils514 · 02-09-2007, 06:49 PM

Thanks I was thinking of using 2 pumps. Can I use powerheads as pumps? or are there any other options?

gm333 · 02-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Yes, but you will have to experiment to get the flow rate just right. Just make sure to keep the power head as close to the surface to allow excess water from the tank to not overflow the sump in case of a poweroutage.

phils514 · 02-09-2007, 07:09 PM

Just a note, I'm only doing this because I think when I have my skimmer on the tank, I could see it's power head and it bugs me. Does 5 gallons worth of sump make a big difference? or should I just put the skimmer on the tank and forget about the sump?

Loman · 02-09-2007, 09:24 PM

Phil,

Let me admit that I do not have a sump

but I think one makes a decent difference. You add 25% of the water volume for one thing. You also provide a place to house things that is nice to keep out of site. It also gives you a place that you can let very sensitive creatures thrive without the fear of predators. This can help the water a good deal IMO. That said I would consider maybe making the sump a bit larger - maybe an old 10 gallon set for example. You also want to be very very careful to be sure and not get a situation where a siphon can be created and empty your tank into the sump/floor in the event of a power outage etc. Watch both lines in this regard the intake and outtake of the sump could become siphons.

phils514 · 02-09-2007, 09:58 PM

ok thanks. I will probable try to use powerheads as my pumps. I dont have an old 10 gal, and there isn't really space for it. In the sump i do have the skimmer, and 2 whisper 20 filters. also i have about 25 lbs lr and ls.

phils514 · 02-09-2007, 10:07 PM

how much gallons per hour do you think is good? i think my powerhead right now is about 175 gph and i'll prolly get a 120gph one for the out pump.

gm333 · 02-09-2007, 10:56 PM

Run a test first, Take two 1 gallon buckets, put one the same height as your tank above the other bucket, use the smaller powerhead to bring the water down from the tank and the larger to bring it back up. If the pump in the bottom bucket keeps filling the top bucket faster I would suggest you add a ball valve to slow the flow down.
If the top bucket fills the bottom bucket too fast put the ball valve on that side.
Just make sure the powerhead is as close to the surface as possible. This way the tank will only drain till it reaches the bottom of the powerhead in a power outage.