Building own sump

@Jackets..(&Craig, "thumper", et. al.)

Lets be "Brave" and go for it. Self satisfaction of building own worth the "risks."

Spent much of evening filtering/browsing thru many DIY sites..
the following two explain (most) everything we need to know. - with the experience we have to draw on here, how can we go wrong?

As stated before, one has to learn/master many new skills to fully "wallow" in this "art" of reef keeping. - great excuse to do so.

Got $300 estimate from the local "sump"/"tank" builder I posted about in your thread. Think can do for way less by self - plus will be a "fun" exercise, esp. as I know as little as anyone about cutting, glueing, etc. glass/acrylic/plastic.

Here is best two "how to" "building" links I have come accross:

DIY Glass Aquarium Plans

Everything "Sumps" - GREAT LINKS FROM!

Please post any other known good ones besides those already on forum.

1/4" plexiglass for 40 x 18 x 15 sump (should be thick enough for sump this size/height) ~ ~$150 from local glass shop. - will look for acrylic sources today to compare.

This is going to be fun! - Need to get stand/canopy finished up first - then to work on new sump/refugium. Wife and fish can wait a bit longer. Was never much satisfied with Rubbermaid tub idea anyway. Have come this far, might as well go all the way and do "right"

Thanks to all for inspiration/motivation to do so.

Rds,

OmarD

 

Why not just buy a glass tank and use it as a sump, it will cost much less and dont have to worry about leaks. Then just use plexi glass inside the tank and do the plumbing

 

Thanks for the links, Omard. I've got a 20gal tank laying around that might work well as a sump. Being new to this I am researching everything I can get my brain around. I have not decided whether to go sumpless with a Jaubert plenum type set-up, or to use a sump. The tank is in a converted garage room with plenty of room under it....decicions, decisions

I like the concept of having some of the equipment out of sight. Also the fact that cleaning a sump set-up is much easier than dealing with a cleaning an in display tank plenum and skimmer. [smiley=thinking2.gif]

 

What do you mean by cleaning a plenum?
Use a DSB and a skimmer and a sump, along with LR which leads to no vacuuming the DSB.

 

What I meant was that the Plenum setup might run into a detritus problem where the sand starts clumping and is difficult to get to. I am using reef tables as the bottom base for my LR structure so there will be a very limited amount LR actually touching the gravel. Sort of like a table with a tripod under it. But I have heard some horror stories about having to remove the LR to do maintenance in the sandbed down to the first layer of screening.

Of course, that is all a moot point if I decide to go with the sump concept. I don't know that much about sumps, yet. But I love that DIY stuff so I know I'll figure it out.

Right now I'm actually looking into building a venturi style skimmer.

How's your salt problem Nautilus?

 

I meant to ask...anybody out there know if a 20gal glass tank is big enough to use as a sump for an 80gal reef tank? The DIY pages don't say much about size etc....

 

Sure I have an 80 gallon and only use 10 gallon sump. but have a 14 gallon refugium.

It will work for you you just need to leave enough room for the skimmer and return pumps etc...
Are you also adding a refugium to this 20 gallon ?
Are you saying you vacuum the DSB? Just get a couple of gobies and crabs and you won't have to do any vacuuming.
I did not use that salt so no problem.

 

Believe me, I didn't know what a sump was 4 days ago. I'm getting the idea though. That is why the plenum concept seemed natural to me because I have used undergravel filters in freshwater tanks for years.

I am hoping not to ever have to vacuum anything if I get the sump going right. I am not sure about the refugium concept. Do you reccomend a plenum in the sump? I didn't figure on using anything that would need a lot of light in the sump/refugium.

The hermits, snails etc. will be in abundance once I get this going. I know their necessity and I will not skimp on my Janitors.

You must have used the Oceanic Salt..Huh?

 

I don't use a pkenum on anything.
UGF will crash you salt tank after a couple of years.
Use plian arocrete live sand and nothing else. IMO doing the plrnum is a waste of time and effort plus you have to clean it sooner or later. IMO stay away from it.

Your gogy will keep your bed nice and neat.
Yes I made a batch of oceanic salt and used it.