Need Ideas For a DYI SUMP

PopPopsfish

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Mar 17, 2008
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I want to try making a DYI sump/Filter for a rack of tanks: 6/20H's and 6/29's

I do not want to drill or install over flow boxes, I would like to use Tupperware containers or possibly a 55 and a Tide pool 1 .

I plan to run PVC from all tanks dumping it into the first stage which will be the Tide pool 1 and then going to a Tupperware container where I will heat the water , then going to another Tupperware container that will be pumped back to the tanks via PVC 3/4" line suspended over the tanks with holes in it to allow filling of tanks.

Will this work ?


Any suggestions?


Thanks in advance,
Pops
 
Are you going to transfer the water with a bucket manually or something?

I was planning on installing upside down J's (PVC with a 90 and a nipple to the desired water level which will be gravity feed to the sump)

I was planning on running a 1 to 2" line along the back of the back that each tank will empty into and then it will be feed to the sump.

Will this work?
 
so just a "J" and a natural siphon...? Seems like it will be a major problem to balance the systems and to get them all started at the same time....I recommend the overflow boxes.
 
Definitely go with drilling if you don't want overflow boxes. Setting up a siphon the way you described would require that you matched your pump's outflow *exactly* to the flow of the siphon(in this case, sounds like a whole bunch of siphons). If the rate flowing through the siphon changes due to say, slime/algae or whatever, you'll have to adjust the pump. It would be a nightmare :(
 
as stated, the siphon will not work. You can make your own overflow out of PVC if you don't want to drill the tanks still. I've used 2 different types of DIY overflows and they both worked very well.
 
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