Makeshift sump for my 26-gallon reef?

marillion · 07/14/2008, 10:42 AM

Basically, what I want to do is get a small garbage can next to my 26-gallon reef tank for more water volume/rock. Can I do this with just some tubing & a couple powerheads, or do I *have* to have an overflow box attached?

Another reason for this is to slowly add a new piece of dry or live rock each week until the rock in the can is cycled (with the help of the established reef) and then it'll be ready for my 150-gallon once I can set that up.

Any thoughts?

Peace,

Chip

corbett_n · 07/14/2008, 11:20 AM

What would happen if one of your powerheads failed?

dcombs44 · 07/14/2008, 11:45 AM

Agreed. An overflow is a safer bet. That way, if one powerhead would fail, you wouldn't flood anything and burn up the other pump.

FB · 07/14/2008, 12:20 PM

If you did it this way you would need a couple of float switchs. However your risk is very high with this setup.

marillion · 07/16/2008, 07:48 AM

Okay, here's what I'm thinking :

Rubbermaid Brute 44-gallon trash can
Mag 3 pump
300gph overflow box

That should be good for what I want to do, right?

Thanks peeps.

Peace,

Chip

07/14/2008, 10:42 AM	#1
marillion Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 736	Makeshift sump for my 26-gallon reef? Basically, what I want to do is get a small garbage can next to my 26-gallon reef tank for more water volume/rock. Can I do this with just some tubing & a couple powerheads, or do I have to have an overflow box attached? Another reason for this is to slowly add a new piece of dry or live rock each week until the rock in the can is cycled (with the help of the established reef) and then it'll be ready for my 150-gallon once I can set that up. Any thoughts? Peace, Chip

07/14/2008, 11:45 AM	#3
dcombs44 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 2,913	Agreed. An overflow is a safer bet. That way, if one powerhead would fail, you wouldn't flood anything and burn up the other pump. __________________ Current Setup: 10 Gallon Skimmerless Zoanthid Tank Lighting: Single 175 Watt Metal Halide (14,000 K Hamilton Lamp) Filtration: 10 gallon sump/refugium and Phosban Reactor Return: Mag Drive 700 Controller: ReefKeeper Lite (Basic Version) Circulation: TBD Age of System: Build is in Progress

07/14/2008, 11:20 AM	#2
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	What would happen if one of your powerheads failed?

07/14/2008, 12:20 PM	#4
FB Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Georgetown, ON Posts: 1,305	If you did it this way you would need a couple of float switchs. However your risk is very high with this setup.

07/16/2008, 07:48 AM	#5
marillion Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 736	Okay, here's what I'm thinking : Rubbermaid Brute 44-gallon trash can Mag 3 pump 300gph overflow box That should be good for what I want to do, right? Thanks peeps. Peace, Chip