10 gallon sump plumbing

SmoothSmoke · 02/27/2014, 09:53 AM

Hello all. I have a 29 gallon display tank that I'll be running with a 10 gallon 2 chamber sump, skimmer and return zone separated by 3 baffles acting as a bubble trap.

Do I want to drill 2 holes in my tank, one for the drain line and one for the return? Or is it better to have 1 hole for the drain line and the return over the top?

Also what size hole is adequate? 1/2", 3/4", 1" or larger?

JRR1285 · 02/27/2014, 10:15 AM

You have a couple of design options depending on how much noise and flow rate are a factor for you.

For that size tank 1" plumbing should be adequate. I am using 1" on a 40B setup and it works great. For overflow types you have a standard single hole that you could drill through the bottom/side and install an overflow box. This method no matter what will be noisy with any decent amount of flow going through it due to the need to mix water and air on it's way down to the sump.

The other two methods involve using one line as a full siphon and backup lines in the event that one clogs. Full siphons flow a ton more than a standard drain with air mixed in.

The first example that I just recently used in my new setup is the Beananimal drain/overflow. It utilizes one full siphon along with an "open channel" that handles a small amount of water that clings to the side of the pipe with no gurgling noises. The open channel employs an airline that allows air to enter the drain under normal operating conditions. If the primary siphon gets clogged or slows down the level in the overflow will rise and submerge the airline turning the open channel into a full siphon. There is a third dry emergency line that will help flush the overflow if there is an issue with both of the other two drains.

The second example of a full siphon drain is a Herbie setup. As far as I understand it is essentially the same as the Beananimal but without the dry emergency.

Link to Beananimal site

Thread on Herbie overflow

Here is my build thread, it has a decent amount of pictures.

As for the returns, over the back is fine and gets rid of the risk of drilling more holes in the glass. I would use one 1" outlet.

julie180 · 02/27/2014, 03:18 PM

Make sure your tank is not tempered before drilling. Some tanks have only tempered bottoms.

02/27/2014, 09:53 AM	#1
SmoothSmoke Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 411	10 gallon sump plumbing Hello all. I have a 29 gallon display tank that I'll be running with a 10 gallon 2 chamber sump, skimmer and return zone separated by 3 baffles acting as a bubble trap. Do I want to drill 2 holes in my tank, one for the drain line and one for the return? Or is it better to have 1 hole for the drain line and the return over the top? Also what size hole is adequate? 1/2", 3/4", 1" or larger?

02/27/2014, 10:15 AM	#2
JRR1285 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Long Island Posts: 450	You have a couple of design options depending on how much noise and flow rate are a factor for you. For that size tank 1" plumbing should be adequate. I am using 1" on a 40B setup and it works great. For overflow types you have a standard single hole that you could drill through the bottom/side and install an overflow box. This method no matter what will be noisy with any decent amount of flow going through it due to the need to mix water and air on it's way down to the sump. The other two methods involve using one line as a full siphon and backup lines in the event that one clogs. Full siphons flow a ton more than a standard drain with air mixed in. The first example that I just recently used in my new setup is the Beananimal drain/overflow. It utilizes one full siphon along with an "open channel" that handles a small amount of water that clings to the side of the pipe with no gurgling noises. The open channel employs an airline that allows air to enter the drain under normal operating conditions. If the primary siphon gets clogged or slows down the level in the overflow will rise and submerge the airline turning the open channel into a full siphon. There is a third dry emergency line that will help flush the overflow if there is an issue with both of the other two drains. The second example of a full siphon drain is a Herbie setup. As far as I understand it is essentially the same as the Beananimal but without the dry emergency. Link to Beananimal site Thread on Herbie overflow Here is my build thread, it has a decent amount of pictures. As for the returns, over the back is fine and gets rid of the risk of drilling more holes in the glass. I would use one 1" outlet. Last edited by JRR1285; 02/27/2014 at 10:22 AM.

02/27/2014, 03:18 PM	#3
julie180 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raymore, MO Posts: 2,556	Make sure your tank is not tempered before drilling. Some tanks have only tempered bottoms.