doh, me again! thinking of diy sump/fuge

Ok, I'm about to drive myself crazy. Been studying melev's site, this site and like a recent poster just said, I'm not sure how big a sump I need to go with for my 110. As he said, it looks like the bigger the better, but I'm betting that the (2) openings under my stand from the front side may limit to how big I can stick a sump under there. There's a 17" width in the stand.

I'm also seriously considering 'making' myself a sump/fuge. I'm not sure a 20g tank will be big enough. Perhaps a 29 or 30. I've got the baffle thing figured out..i think. One end of the tank is the intake into the sump with a sock, the baffles as a bubble trap, fuge in the middle, another baffle and then the area for the 'out take'. I've seen SO many variations of this stuff it's just overwhelming. Being brand spankin' new to looking at 'building' one of these is humbling and Im not getting any work done at work studying all this! I'm thinking building my own will be by far the cheapest way to do this and I keep hearing it's not difficult. Was also studying flow rates for a pump to get the water back up to the tank...I need a beer

 

Welcome to reefkeeping. ;D
There is a ton of stuff to learn about for sure, that's half the fun!

I personally wouldn't go smaller than a 30, I would look at a 55 as well if you're looking at standard glass tank sizes to put baffles in. It will certainly be cheaper than getting a pre-made acrylic sump, you just need a couple panes of glass cut to the right size and a tube of silicone, and the aquarium of course.

As for flow through the sump you should be ok with a 600gph (after head loss) return pump IMO. I don't see many benefits of using a larger return pump unless you're going to build a manifold off it and run other equipment like a skimmer, chiller, media reactors etc.

 

most standard 55 gal will fit..

 

im lookin at doin a 55 gal in my 125

 

Oook, LFS I normally go to just tried talking me out of building it myself saying it'll leak etc. I said, yeah yeah you just want more $ out of me. Anyhoo, that just drove me further to DIY.

Wise reefers, I ask you...I know there's no way I can get a 55g underneath my stand. At this moment I'm thinking a 30 long. Will the Eshopps pf-800 overflow box with a mag 7 be cool? I'm estimating it'll be at least 4ft vertical travel distance for return.

 

Sounds good to me. I don't see how the sump could be leaky unless you buy a leaky 30 long, that was a ridiculous arguement from the LFS. Are they saying the tanks they sell are leaky or what?

The one thing to be careful when putting in baffles is that if you're using acrylic baffles acrylic will expand slightly when it gets wet so you need to have them cut slightly thinner so that they don't crack the sides of the sump tank when they expand. Not an issue with glass.

The rest sounds about right, although are you sure you want to use an overflow box and not drill the tank?

 

Sumps can be very confusing at first. I was in your boat about 6 months ago. I referred to Limpits sump video on Youtube which gave me much confidence. I made one from a 20 long using acrylic baffles. Cost me about 50 bucks total and well worth it. Once you get going you will understand the simplistic function. It took to build my own sump/fuge to understand EXACTLY how everything works. This is my setup, very simple. Any questions, your already in the right place. If the tank is already setup, it will be difficult to fit the maximum size sump. Usually it will require removing a brace ect.

 

I like your hunch - go with a bigger sump.

Hey use a webcam on this project and submit a video for the 3reef contest.
3reef 's DIY Video Contest! - 3reef Forums

 

I really appreciate ya'll replying!!!

Screwtape...i thought the same thing, but didnt have time to get into it with him. I thought, well that doesnt make sense (leaking). Also, I've already been to Home Depot and found pre-cut glass pieces to use and if I need to, they sell a glass cutter. Point is, is that I intend to use glass for the baffles. Yes on overflow box. There's no way I'm going to take this whole tank down to drill it. Next tank (I really want a 210!) or other larger size I intend to have it set up already for a sump system.

Mattheu...your pic is exactly how I was thinking of doing it, but i've a question. Is there anything over the intake pipe/hose? Ie. sock. I was debating and still researching to have a small tower for filter media to catch the water coming in or for some other setup for the water to 'hit' first as it hits the sump. This part I'm still a little fuzzy on. I'm used to seeing those towers w/bio balls for the intake although from what i've read i don't intend to use bio balls, but possibly some pieces of live rock. ALSO, where do you fit carbon in this equation??? Lastly, you're correct. I'd like to fit the biggest sump I can under there, but the limiting factor's going to be the center brace for the stand :-/

and Matt...always feel privileged to get a post from the great Kingfish! ;D

ps. 1. where do you find small light fixtures for fuges? 2. Would the pf-1000 be overkill?

 

I run carbon in a canister filter attached to my sump. You can just put it in the chamber and make sure there is flow through it. I have sat it on top of a rock near the outlet forcing it through the bag. works well. No need bioballs. Live rock=bioballs. If you want to run mesh in your sump you will have to clean it weekly at least. Buy a simple $6 fixture that has a reflector from your harware store. Then buy a simple screw-in fluorescent bulb. I'm using a 32watt.