Ok, so I have a 36x12x16 tank that already has 2 holes about 3 inches from the top of the tank. I'm thinking of going brackish (to get my feet with some salt), kinda scared of SW but my wife wants a SW so who knows. When I got the tank he said those holes were for a sump. Well I really have no idea on how to setup a sump. I have a spare 30x12x18 tank, could I make the sump out of that or is that to big for this tank and just go with a 10 gallon sump? I'm assuming I should just take advantage of the holes since they are already there. I plan on starting on Monday so I need to know what all parts I need to get to make this happen. Thanks for any help!
Have questions about a sump.
- Thread starter Rythic
- Start date
Sumps pretty basic explanation....
One hole will drain into the sump by overflowing caused by a return pump in the sump itself.
The other hole is the return hole from sump provided by the pump.
Using bulkheads and attaching PVC we create a system that cycles water between Sump and Display.... as water is pushed from sump to display it begins to overflow into a "over flow hob box" or an overflow wall built into the tank that drains to the sump........
To get more info about this visit this guy: http://www.melevsreef.com/
The how a sump works part ..better explained than i did : http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
One hole will drain into the sump by overflowing caused by a return pump in the sump itself.
The other hole is the return hole from sump provided by the pump.
Using bulkheads and attaching PVC we create a system that cycles water between Sump and Display.... as water is pushed from sump to display it begins to overflow into a "over flow hob box" or an overflow wall built into the tank that drains to the sump........
To get more info about this visit this guy: http://www.melevsreef.com/
The how a sump works part ..better explained than i did : http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
Parts you will need: Bulkheads for the holes, PVC fittings, unions and gate valves to be able to remove parts of the overflow/return line for maintanence if ever needed without the need to break apart the setup, pvc pipe/flex PVC, pvc cutters & glue, drill, wrench to tighten bulkheads, baffles for your sump (I prefer getting glass cut to size at my local glass shop vs plexiglass due to strength), tube of 100% silicone, some type out output nozzle on the tank side for the return (people prefer loc-line fittings)and a return pump.
Now, there are a lot of details I didn't go over because there are many different methods and it is up to you to decide which is best for you. Examples..
Overflow: You can go as simple as a PVC elbo pointed upwards with a cap on it and as many holes as you can drilled into the cap to act as a strainer and make sure no fish go in it, or you can buy pre-made strainers that fit into the elbos. You can make a box and silicone it into place around the hole for an overflow box (this is how my tank is).. and many other ways to do it ..
Sump Design is another - The size of your baffles, how many baffles, location of them, is all debatable but best advice is to plan on what you ideally would like to have as far as equipment in the sump (protein skimmer if SW, reactors, heaters, refugium, return pump, etc.) and make your baffles fit to the specs of that equipment and be functional as well.
Now, there are a lot of details I didn't go over because there are many different methods and it is up to you to decide which is best for you. Examples..
Overflow: You can go as simple as a PVC elbo pointed upwards with a cap on it and as many holes as you can drilled into the cap to act as a strainer and make sure no fish go in it, or you can buy pre-made strainers that fit into the elbos. You can make a box and silicone it into place around the hole for an overflow box (this is how my tank is).. and many other ways to do it ..
Sump Design is another - The size of your baffles, how many baffles, location of them, is all debatable but best advice is to plan on what you ideally would like to have as far as equipment in the sump (protein skimmer if SW, reactors, heaters, refugium, return pump, etc.) and make your baffles fit to the specs of that equipment and be functional as well.