i need help on sump

dahay78 · 01/03/2013, 10:20 AM

Hi there, i am looking for some help with making a sump for my new tank that Santa dropped off! lol i am currently using my 29g as my display tank, i want to convert that into my sump. the questions that i have, are as follows:
1. since my display is planted black on the back side, can i still use it, as i have seen many sumps with a blue back ground.

2.My new tank is not drilled, i was told before its best to get a drilled one, but Santa was on a tight budget this year i guess! so how do i know what size pvc pipes to get, can anyone point to me a link or post something easy for me to understand, it would be greatly appreciated. BTW i am not going to be able to drill the tank

3. what would be a good Skimmer to purchase, currently i have a HOB CPR skimmer for my 29g, but i was told that this will not work in a sump.

4.also is it possible to make a refugium in my sump?

5.can a auto water top off be added to the sump and would you advise putting a auto topper on

6. what can be done to prevent a flood

i really appreciate any advice that i can get, i want to make this tank really nice and if there is anyone in Tucson that lives in the foothills that may want to help me, just send me a message, as i would greatly appreciate any hands on help that i can get.

scubabum1983 · 01/03/2013, 06:03 PM

you can drill your current tank provided it isnt tempered, skimmer you can have a bunch of options, bubble magnus or reef octo are budget friendly, fuge sure, wont be a big one though, get baffles made from glass at a place like columbus glass, measure the inside width of the tank and measure the reccomended height you need to run your skimmer, that will be the max height you can run the baffles. the but to the last item is you can go taller on the baffle if you put your skimmer on a platform to elevate it to the right depth, Auto top off can be made at home for about $40 2 float switches from grainger and an extension cord, plus some 1/4 inch pvc. To prevent flood one switch works as the everyday level switch, the other is elevated and acts as a dead man if the first switch fails or gets stuck and stopps any further flow.

dahay78 · 01/08/2013, 02:38 PM

hey thanks for this information. i still have not decided on what skimmer to buy, i made the over flow to the sump and hopefully this weekend will be able to get my glass for the sump tank.i am going to pass on installing a auto top off,..... i should have some pictures up soon. once again thank you for your help!
dave

dahay78 · 01/08/2013, 02:39 PM

hey thanks for this information. i still have not decided on what skimmer to buy, i made the over flow to the sump and hopefully this weekend will be able to get my glass for the sump tank.i am going to pass on installing a auto top off,..... i should have some pictures up soon. once again thank you for your help!
dave

savageAJC · 01/10/2013, 02:22 PM

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

Some really great info on sumps.

dahay78 · 01/10/2013, 08:47 PM

Assume Site thanks!!!

01/03/2013, 10:20 AM	#1
dahay78 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 89	i need help on sump Hi there, i am looking for some help with making a sump for my new tank that Santa dropped off! lol i am currently using my 29g as my display tank, i want to convert that into my sump. the questions that i have, are as follows: 1. since my display is planted black on the back side, can i still use it, as i have seen many sumps with a blue back ground. 2.My new tank is not drilled, i was told before its best to get a drilled one, but Santa was on a tight budget this year i guess! so how do i know what size pvc pipes to get, can anyone point to me a link or post something easy for me to understand, it would be greatly appreciated. BTW i am not going to be able to drill the tank 3. what would be a good Skimmer to purchase, currently i have a HOB CPR skimmer for my 29g, but i was told that this will not work in a sump. 4.also is it possible to make a refugium in my sump? 5.can a auto water top off be added to the sump and would you advise putting a auto topper on 6. what can be done to prevent a flood i really appreciate any advice that i can get, i want to make this tank really nice and if there is anyone in Tucson that lives in the foothills that may want to help me, just send me a message, as i would greatly appreciate any hands on help that i can get. Last edited by dahay78; 01/03/2013 at 10:26 AM. Reason: wording

01/08/2013, 02:39 PM	#4
dahay78 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 89	hey thanks for this information. i still have not decided on what skimmer to buy, i made the over flow to the sump and hopefully this weekend will be able to get my glass for the sump tank.i am going to pass on installing a auto top off,..... i should have some pictures up soon. once again thank you for your help! dave Last edited by dahay78; 01/08/2013 at 02:41 PM. Reason: twice

01/03/2013, 06:03 PM	#2
scubabum1983 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,032	you can drill your current tank provided it isnt tempered, skimmer you can have a bunch of options, bubble magnus or reef octo are budget friendly, fuge sure, wont be a big one though, get baffles made from glass at a place like columbus glass, measure the inside width of the tank and measure the reccomended height you need to run your skimmer, that will be the max height you can run the baffles. the but to the last item is you can go taller on the baffle if you put your skimmer on a platform to elevate it to the right depth, Auto top off can be made at home for about $40 2 float switches from grainger and an extension cord, plus some 1/4 inch pvc. To prevent flood one switch works as the everyday level switch, the other is elevated and acts as a dead man if the first switch fails or gets stuck and stopps any further flow.

01/08/2013, 02:38 PM	#3
dahay78 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 89	hey thanks for this information. i still have not decided on what skimmer to buy, i made the over flow to the sump and hopefully this weekend will be able to get my glass for the sump tank.i am going to pass on installing a auto top off,..... i should have some pictures up soon. once again thank you for your help! dave

01/10/2013, 02:22 PM	#5
savageAJC Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: T Posts: 1,379	http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html Some really great info on sumps.

01/10/2013, 08:47 PM	#6
dahay78 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 89	Assume Site thanks!!!