DIY sumps, using sump as second aquarium?

I started a thread over at TPT forum but I'll post it here to see if I get any more ideas.

I had an idea for a new tank system using overflow and sump filtration. Most DIYers use a smaller aquarium for the sump. What if you made the sump really oversized, sectioned off one end with the filtration parts, and used the rest of the tank for another aquarium w/ fish? I was even thinking instead of taking up realestate in the sump tank for the filtration, the filter media could be in a tall skinny container that the water falls down through between the top and bottom tanks.

The sump tank will be somewhat covered up by the stand, so the ends were the filtration is can be hid, plus the top section of the tank will be hid as well, so the waterline will not be visible until it hits its lowest level (after a weeks worth of evaporation and time for waterchange).

Here are a couple 3d models I whipped up on the puter to show what I am talking about (not alot of detail, just did em quick this morning):





First pic shows most of the guts, with bioballs and perhaps a few filterpads inline after the overflow, return pumps on other end. The second pic approximates what it will look like after the stand is complete. All the 'stuff' should be hidden at the tank ends, and the front and back of both tanks are open and viewable. For this example I did draw to scale using a 150g tall up top and a 100g sump tank.

Basically. Though the filtration part is still up in the air (as in I havent decided on it yet), could be a wet/dry with bio balls like pictured or I could run some sponge filters in the sump, probably will have UV plumbed in there and maybe a fluidized bed filter in addition. Could be a combination of several things yet.

You have a suggestion Mgamer or just a keen grasp of the obvious? :joke:

sploke said:

If you keep the top tank stocked with fish, and use the bottom tank as a veggie filter/heavily planted tank, etc, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Same kind of idea as using a refugium in the sump of a SW tank, some of them are nice enough to be on display.

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Well, this is all just an idea so far, I dont have the specifics planned out and those specifics could change the design. My current thought is to use a 150G up top (which I have) for a larger tank for my goldfish (which really need a bigger tank) and also dojo loaches (which need to be put in cooler water). The 150 would take care of all these. Then the bottom tank could be used for hillstream loaches which will do fine in the same coolwater as the goldies, but like alot more current. Since the cross-sectional area of the sump tank is alot smaller than the top tank the current should be much higher. I havent decided on CO2 vs low-tech, and that will determine wether I use a wet/dry like pictured or an all under the water line filter in the sump tank.

Mgamer20o0 said:

well i try to make sure what your trying to do before i say anything about it. the first thing to come to mind would be cleaning. i would think the top tank will need to be a foot over the bottom. for me i would think even a foot would be hard to clean. the next thing would be supporting it. i would think having the 150 tall on the bottom and a 100 long on top would be more supportive.

this might work... i dont know. have no idea about building my own stands or having to support the weight but to my eye thats what i first thought of.

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Cleaning will definately factor in to the design. I havent worked out any specific dimensions yet or anything. But the tank will be accesable from both sides so i wont be having to reach the whole thing from the front. As far as the heavy one being on top, yeah it kinda looks akward from a size/weight perspective but those were chosen to fit well together. The longer tank needs to be on bottom for the filtration to be hidden nicely. I figure to support a 150G tank on supports 6 foot across (with no supports inside 6' because thats how long the sump tank is) I will be welding up a beefy steel frame. No biggie.