Where to get a sump? Please help...

valval1029

valval1029

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Aug 29, 2004
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Based on my thread "Upgrading to bigger tank....need advice" it seems I need a sump. I appreciate any info!

I'm going to get a 90 gallon tank with overflow. I want somehting simple. I can't make one myself and was wondering where I can purchase one at a reasonable price....

I saw this one--- what do you think? I'm not sure WhAT I need.

This is the best sump you can get! Brand new in box and made in the United States!*
Comes with Catalina Aquarium 600 submersible pump (275 gallons per hour) - To pump water from tank to the sump.*
It also comes with a Catalina Aquarium adjustable 1400 submersible pump to return the filtered water to the aquarium.*
Protein Skimmer is included (great skimmer that gets excellent aspiration from adjustable 1400 Catalina Pump - makes for lots of bubbles, and promotes better filtration). Skimmer works with a 12 blade skimmer impeller that is powered by the adjustable 1400 pump.*
The return tube is fitted with a water tight gasket to always prevent from leakage. The tube is also slotted and has bio balls.*
This mud sump grows plant life extremely well since it comes with a 2 X 13 watt power compact hood with sunlight bulbs (10,000 Kelvin rating). This sump will keep your tank naturally clean healthy and oxygenated. It is the best natural filter on the market today and now it is being offered here at direct wholesale cost for $199.*
Shipping within 48 contingent US states is $25 via insured federal express - We will make sure this unit gets to you in pristine condition.
Dimensions are 14 in high X*8 in wide and 20 in long.
 
Alright...first off...do not just jump into this. Look around for some info on things before you run out and spend a crap load of money.

You dont need to buy a "sump". It's incredibly easy to make your own. You say you got a 90gal. tank? Here's what you do...

Go and buy a 30gal. tank from a fish store (aprox. $40). Then, either from the same fish store (even though it may be more expensive), or a plant nursery, you buy a pond pump that matches the gph of your overflow box.

Place your 30gal. tank under your stand and run tubing from your overflow box down to this tank. Secure the hose to the tank however convienant. Place the pond pump in the 30gal. tank and connect tubing from the pump back up to your tank. The, fill the sump aprox. 3/4 of the way full and turn on the pond pump. Adjustments will be necessary, but wont be hard. And that, is your homemade (cheaper) sump. I just set one up for my 200gal. tank...homemade, just like I explained to you...and it works wonderfully.

If you need better instructions or clarification, contact me on AOL IM (Distortionist) or email me at garnera80@hotmail.com
 
Wow. Sounds easy enough. I thought it had to have different compartments/little sections for water to flow through. (Hard to explain.)

I plan to break down my 30 gallon for the 90 AGA Megaflow I am going to buy. However, I have used copper with the 30. Would I be able to get rid of the copper somehow?
 
9 times out of 10, you wont be able to get rid of the copper.

You're better off just to go spend a little extra money and buy a new 30gal. tank.

You dont have to have "different compartments" on your sump. What you want to have in the sump is some live rock. That will help with the filtration (live rock being the best natural filtration). In your sump, you'll also have your heater(s) and your protien skimmer (make sure you get one that can stand on it's own and doesnt have to hang on the back of your tank...if you choose to buy one). That way, everything that normally would be hanging on or in the tank is hidden away, underneath your stand. Get a very small powerhead, if you like, to keep your sump in good circulation.

That's basically all you need for a good sump. Easy enough, huh?

The setup that I explained to you in my last post, and in this post, is the EXACT setup that I have for my 200gal.
 
I think different "baffles" was the word I was looking for before. Also, I see some have a refugium- what is that for?

If I have 1-1 1/2 pounds of live rock per gallon, should I still put live rock in the sump?

Can I get a 20 gallon or is that too small?

The add in my original post had 2 pumps. I only need one?

Also, should I buy a protein skimmer to keep in there? What type would work best? I don't know much about them.

Thanks,
Val
 
buy a pond pump that matches the gph of your overflow box.
Click to expand...

Make sure that it matches the gph of your overflow box at the correct amount of head though. something that pumps 400gph at 1 ft head might only pump50gph at 4 feet of head, depending on the design. Measure from the top of your tank to the water level in the sump. that's the amount of head.
 
The overflow box is the sump???
Measure from the top of the water in the main tank to the water level in the sump, right?
 
There are a few links that may help explain some of this. Here's one that Cearbhaill pointed out a while back that has been very useful to me: http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

This page will give you a ton of information about different pumps. Want to know what gph your pump will deliver at 4' of head? It's there:http://reefs.org/library/pumps/

Finally, is there any support for the idea that a tank is unusable for inverts if it has been treated with copper? I mean, a good scrubbing will remove it from the glass, and the silicone is a small reservoir. There are traces of copper in water (even RO water) and in the salt mix, so the issue really is whether one can acheive harmful levels from whatever slowly leaches from the silicone. In my own experience, I have never seen mysterious invertebrate deaths that might be traceable to the tank, and I have been using the same tanks for decades.
 
Nice thread. Although there are many "mythbusters" in the hobby, Randy is one of the few who thinks and researches before he answers. Based on that info, it looks like copper adsorbing to glass can be more of an issue than I thought. On the other hand, any that leaches out will probably be sopped up by all the carbonate in the tank.

Sorry about the hijack.
 
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