20 gallon sump what do I need to start?

rbtwo4 · 09/02/2007, 01:44 PM

I think this should be up on the DIY forum not sure but here goes. I just bought a 20 gallon tank to use as my sump from petco for $20. What do I need to start the process? I hope I don't need to drill any holes in the tank cus its glass. I have a skimmer, phosban reactor, a fuge and a mechanical filter. Not too sure what I need to buy at home depot.

Aquarist007 · 09/02/2007, 02:05 PM

has the 30 gal main tank been drilled. You will need to drill at least one hole in the sump for the return pump---its much safer then hanging lines over tanks.
Basically gravity can feed the main tank to the sump assuming it is under the main tank but you need a pump to return the water from the sump to the main tank.
You would drill a hole in the lower side of the sump, install a bulkhead and install a hose or pipe from bulk head to pump and then from pump to return of your tank.

thats assumed that the main tank has been drilled on the bottom and an overflow has been installed.

in this one gravity brings the water down from the tank which is in the room above. when it goes through the sump there is a bulk head on the left which goes to a mag 3600 pump and back up to the main tank(the pump is hidden by the overflow container for the protein skimmer.)

rbtwo4 · 09/02/2007, 02:46 PM

No. The main tank has nothing predrilled. This is sounding so confusing now. Can it still be done without the hole in the main tank?

MinnFish · 09/02/2007, 03:24 PM

Yes is can be done. With a HOB overflow box. You will need 3 pieces of glass (2) 10x11 7/8 and (1) 8x11 7/8 to make baffles. That is all the glass you will need. Cost about $4 LHS.

MinnFish · 09/02/2007, 03:37 PM

Divide the tank into compartments. 25% return, 25% drain and 50% refuge. Starting from left to right on the 20 gallon. Glue 1 10 inch baffle (hold in place with tape), that will be the drain compartment. Glue 8 inch baffle (use tape to hold), that will be the refuge. Glue 10 inch baffle (1 inch from last baffle, and leave a 1 inch gap at the bottom) this acts as a bubble trap. I used tape and 1 inch pipe to accomplish the last baffle. I hope this does not confuse you. Its very easy.

Mare100 · 09/02/2007, 03:42 PM

rbtwo4...
Not to go against anybody else's good advice (I know Capn gives really good advice!)...but in case you didn't want to get into drilling a hole in your sump for a return...there are pumps that you can just put right in your sump. That's how we do it in our 120. Downside is....as Capn said...there are lines running out of your sump, plus it takes up a good bit of room in there.

Good luck!
M

rbtwo4 · 09/02/2007, 03:42 PM

Anything else??? Hob overflow box? What do I do with that? So 3 pieces of glass for baffles. Then what? Man they should have a forum "sumps for dummies"

rbtwo4 · 09/02/2007, 03:51 PM

I really don't mind the lines. Thanks for the advice. Rather see 1 or 2 lines then all this HOB stuff I have now =)

rbtwo4 · 09/02/2007, 03:53 PM

Minnfish what kind of pumps do I need?

MinnFish · 09/02/2007, 04:09 PM

If, the skimmer is not attached to a pump. You will need 2. One for the skimmer and one for the return. The return pump needs to be rated for the overflow box. Install a ball valve to control flow to the overflow box. HOB=Hang on Back. Overflow box skims the water surface and is plumb to empty into the drain portion of the sump.

Thinslis · 09/02/2007, 04:16 PM

Is your skimmer an in sump skimmer or are you going to run it external? Mine will sit in the sump and that dictated the placement of my baffles. You can see here in my build thread about 3/4 of the way down on the first page: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1178054

Also lots of good info on Melevs reef site http://www.melevsreef.com/sump.html

MinnFish · 09/02/2007, 04:18 PM

I sent you a PM. Hope i could help. Enjoy your weekend.

ccmarkab · 09/02/2007, 04:44 PM

Hi Captain...
Just a suggestion, but I noticed in your pic that you have a wired power bar on the floor. I would consider mounting it up off the table. Salt water is a pretty decent conductor of electricity. If any of your plumbing should spring a leak it could create a real fire/electricution hazard.

Regards,
Mark

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
has the 30 gal main tank been drilled. You will need to drill at least one hole in the sump for the return pump---its much safer then hanging lines over tanks.
Basically gravity can feed the main tank to the sump assuming it is under the main tank but you need a pump to return the water from the sump to the main tank.
You would drill a hole in the lower side of the sump, install a bulkhead and install a hose or pipe from bulk head to pump and then from pump to return of your tank.

thats assumed that the main tank has been drilled on the bottom and an overflow has been installed.

in this one gravity brings the water down from the tank which is in the room above. when it goes through the sump there is a bulk head on the left which goes to a mag 3600 pump and back up to the main tank(the pump is hidden by the overflow container for the protein skimmer.)

rbtwo4 · 09/02/2007, 04:52 PM

I have a HOB skimmer and it does have a pump.

rbtwo4 · 09/02/2007, 04:54 PM

Thinslis thanks for the thread I'm checking it out now!

rbtwo4 · 09/02/2007, 04:56 PM

Thinslis I thought the name looked familiar! I've been following ur thread!

Aquarist007 · 09/02/2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ccmarkab
Hi Captain...
Just a suggestion, but I noticed in your pic that you have a wired power bar on the floor. I would consider mounting it up off the table. Salt water is a pretty decent conductor of electricity. If any of your plumbing should spring a leak it could create a real fire/electricution hazard.

Regards,
Mark

thanks for the suggestion--already done--the picture is two months old.
When I rewired for the basement--I have three dedicated lines coming from the box. Each has its own GFI and the swithes on the box are GFI also.

09/02/2007, 01:44 PM	#1
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	20 gallon sump what do I need to start? I think this should be up on the DIY forum not sure but here goes. I just bought a 20 gallon tank to use as my sump from petco for $20. What do I need to start the process? I hope I don't need to drill any holes in the tank cus its glass. I have a skimmer, phosban reactor, a fuge and a mechanical filter. Not too sure what I need to buy at home depot. __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

09/02/2007, 02:05 PM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	has the 30 gal main tank been drilled. You will need to drill at least one hole in the sump for the return pump---its much safer then hanging lines over tanks. Basically gravity can feed the main tank to the sump assuming it is under the main tank but you need a pump to return the water from the sump to the main tank. You would drill a hole in the lower side of the sump, install a bulkhead and install a hose or pipe from bulk head to pump and then from pump to return of your tank. thats assumed that the main tank has been drilled on the bottom and an overflow has been installed. in this one gravity brings the water down from the tank which is in the room above. when it goes through the sump there is a bulk head on the left which goes to a mag 3600 pump and back up to the main tank(the pump is hidden by the overflow container for the protein skimmer.) __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/02/2007, 02:46 PM	#3
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	No. The main tank has nothing predrilled. This is sounding so confusing now. Can it still be done without the hole in the main tank? __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

09/02/2007, 03:42 PM	#6
Mare100 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Becket, MA Posts: 382	rbtwo4... Not to go against anybody else's good advice (I know Capn gives really good advice!)...but in case you didn't want to get into drilling a hole in your sump for a return...there are pumps that you can just put right in your sump. That's how we do it in our 120. Downside is....as Capn said...there are lines running out of your sump, plus it takes up a good bit of room in there. Good luck! M __________________ "No, no, yes, no, I tried that, yes--both ways, no, I don't know, no again. Are there anymore questions? Good." - Xena Current Tank Info: 55 Gal. FOWLR; 120 Gal. Reef - since 1/07

09/02/2007, 03:42 PM	#7
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	Anything else??? Hob overflow box? What do I do with that? So 3 pieces of glass for baffles. Then what? Man they should have a forum "sumps for dummies" __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10 Last edited by rbtwo4; 09/02/2007 at 03:48 PM.

09/02/2007, 03:24 PM	#4
MinnFish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home of 10,000 lakes Posts: 917	Yes is can be done. With a HOB overflow box. You will need 3 pieces of glass (2) 10x11 7/8 and (1) 8x11 7/8 to make baffles. That is all the glass you will need. Cost about $4 LHS.

09/02/2007, 03:37 PM	#5
MinnFish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home of 10,000 lakes Posts: 917	Divide the tank into compartments. 25% return, 25% drain and 50% refuge. Starting from left to right on the 20 gallon. Glue 1 10 inch baffle (hold in place with tape), that will be the drain compartment. Glue 8 inch baffle (use tape to hold), that will be the refuge. Glue 10 inch baffle (1 inch from last baffle, and leave a 1 inch gap at the bottom) this acts as a bubble trap. I used tape and 1 inch pipe to accomplish the last baffle. I hope this does not confuse you. Its very easy.

09/02/2007, 03:51 PM	#8
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	I really don't mind the lines. Thanks for the advice. Rather see 1 or 2 lines then all this HOB stuff I have now =) __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

09/02/2007, 03:53 PM	#9
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	Minnfish what kind of pumps do I need? __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

09/02/2007, 04:09 PM	#10
MinnFish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home of 10,000 lakes Posts: 917	If, the skimmer is not attached to a pump. You will need 2. One for the skimmer and one for the return. The return pump needs to be rated for the overflow box. Install a ball valve to control flow to the overflow box. HOB=Hang on Back. Overflow box skims the water surface and is plumb to empty into the drain portion of the sump.

09/02/2007, 04:16 PM	#11
Thinslis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Madison, Ohio Posts: 1,658	Is your skimmer an in sump skimmer or are you going to run it external? Mine will sit in the sump and that dictated the placement of my baffles. You can see here in my build thread about 3/4 of the way down on the first page: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1178054 Also lots of good info on Melevs reef site http://www.melevsreef.com/sump.html __________________ -B Current Tank Info: 40g breeder, ER-RS80, MP40w, 250w + 2xT5

09/02/2007, 04:18 PM	#12
MinnFish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home of 10,000 lakes Posts: 917	I sent you a PM. Hope i could help. Enjoy your weekend.

09/02/2007, 04:52 PM	#14
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	I have a HOB skimmer and it does have a pump. __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

09/02/2007, 04:54 PM	#15
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	Thinslis thanks for the thread I'm checking it out now! __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

09/02/2007, 04:56 PM	#16
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	Thinslis I thought the name looked familiar! I've been following ur thread! __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10