does anybody have any plains for setting up a sump?

Tbx · 06-06-2007, 08:43 PM

I need some plains for setting up a small sup 10 gallons or less it is going under my 20 gallon tank and the stand is small so If any body has any plains for one could you pleas show me I would highly appreciate and the tank is drilled acrylic.

Crazy80 · 06-06-2007, 08:51 PM

i am currently in the works of building a sump for my tank and have found some great info from this site
check it out Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums
there are so many options for how to setup a sump i have been doing numerous measurements and drawings of my own and plan on making some mock ups out of cardboard to get a better idea of what room i will have under the tank when everything is in place. unlike you my tank is not drilled so i will be going with a skimmer overflow box to send water to the sump.

Tbx · 06-07-2007, 03:51 AM

yeah that really helped thanks alot

BJP · 06-07-2007, 05:54 AM

Life can be really simple if you want. Plastic containers that stack together one inside the other so there might be 10 or so in a stack you have to pull the quantity you want out of at the stores. The one's with the holes already in them like laundry baskets, those little desk caddys, the plant baskets at the pond store, etc would let water flow through. Find the size that fits whatever bottom container you want you use. Decide how many stages of mechanical filtration you want, then buy two for one stage, three for two stages, etc. Sandwich your media of choice between them. I used two laundry baskets as the first stage onder my 100 gallon with that cotton quilting stuff sold in bulk at Walmart between them. There are lots of other options though but if you go with more than one stage then put the media that filters the smallest particles in the lower set of baskets and work up from there.

Set the baskets in the sump area and fill under and around them with whatever else you want from lava rock to bio-media like hair curlers to carbon or whatever. Water pours into the center of the baskets from above, flows through the media and out into the container then gets pumped back up.

The entire setup might set you back a whole $5 not counting the pump. Maybe less if you start at the dollar store.

Nereaga · 06-07-2007, 06:01 AM

Heres a thread too:

http://www.fishtankforums.com/28-diy...m-project.html (DIY Sump/Refugium Project)

Crazy80 · 06-07-2007, 07:15 PM

I was just at Walmart today fitting all kinds of bins together and found some that fit perfect total volume was about 21 gallons. I think that i might scratch going with glass tanks or acrylic due to cost ( Baby on the way ) as soon as i get the tank up and running I'll post some pics of the set up.

Good advice BJP !

Tbx · 06-07-2007, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJP

Life can be really simple if you want. Plastic containers that stack together one inside the other so there might be 10 or so in a stack you have to pull the quantity you want out of at the stores. The one's with the holes already in them like laundry baskets, those little desk caddys, the plant baskets at the pond store, etc would let water flow through. Find the size that fits whatever bottom container you want you use. Decide how many stages of mechanical filtration you want, then buy two for one stage, three for two stages, etc. Sandwich your media of choice between them. I used two laundry baskets as the first stage onder my 100 gallon with that cotton quilting stuff sold in bulk at Walmart between them. There are lots of other options though but if you go with more than one stage then put the media that filters the smallest particles in the lower set of baskets and work up from there.

Set the baskets in the sump area and fill under and around them with whatever else you want from lava rock to bio-media like hair curlers to carbon or whatever. Water pours into the center of the baskets from above, flows through the media and out into the container then gets pumped back up.

The entire setup might set you back a whole $5 not counting the pump. Maybe less if you start at the dollar store.

Thanks that sounds so simple and cheap I can't belive I almost bought one of of ebay for $150. Thanks I think I am going to try to set one up tonight.

well thank all of you guys for your input I hope everything turns out well.

new2me · 06-08-2007, 09:07 AM

That's the same info./link I used for making mine. I lucked out with mine though;

15gal used tank from local store $5
glass from Home Depot $10
PVC $15
My mom does stain glass as a hobby so I just had to take it to her to get it cut.

Tbx · 06-08-2007, 12:09 PM

So you didn't have acrylic so you cut the glass?

Yontzfamily · 08-26-2007, 02:24 PM

I have been reading about sumps, as they are new to me, and I need some clarification. My question is, do they replace a store bought filter or are they an addition? I have a 55 gal that I wanted to set up this summer, didn't happen, and was thinking maybe I want a sump on it. I love the idea of getting most everything out of the tank, heater tubes etc. I have several 20 gallon tanks, and at least one ten, maybe two. If I can put them to work to filter my 55, that would be great.