Plumbing undrilled sump?

rsantangelo3@co · 01/01/2009, 06:34 PM

Looking to use a 75 gallon as a sump for my 300 gallon but unsure on best wat to make a return line. Is it as easy as running a pvc U over the side of sump to below the watr line, then the pump will just pump it over?? All input is much appreciated!

laredo300c · 01/01/2009, 06:42 PM

i plan on using a 30 gallon as a sump for my sump on a future 120gallon....i have never had a sump before, but i've seen some veteran reef keepers on here just dump a drain flex tube in and the pump will hold a black/clear flexable tube for the return...no drilling, no complicated inlets, the two that are inspiring to me ( their tanks) don't even use baffles in their sumps

rgrobe · 01/01/2009, 07:23 PM

It will work once started. You may have to prime the pump to get the suction started. The draw back is a power outage when you are not around. You are likeloy to lose the suction and the pump may run and cavitate causing overheat and damage to the seals or worse. If the tank is down have at least one hole drilled for a bulkhead appropriately sized for the pump. Now you have one less problem to worry about. Acrylic you can DIY if you know someone with a set of hole saws. If it is glass have it done by someone with some experience.

46FiatYamaha · 01/01/2009, 07:24 PM

the only problem with an inlet that is higher than the pump, is if the power goes out (or anytime the pump is turned off) it will need to be primed to get started again since there will be air in the line. If the pump starts running without water, and doesn't get any very soon, it usually ends in a bad situation. I would use a submersible pump (or maybe a few for a tank that size), or just drill it

rgrobe · 01/01/2009, 07:25 PM

Sorry, forgot one thought. Use a submersible pump right inside your sump. Problem eliminated without drilling.

rsantangelo3@co · 01/01/2009, 08:43 PM

no other option to keep water in sump without drilling?

rsantangelo3@co · 01/01/2009, 08:49 PM

What about a pond submersiable pump then? enought to run a retrun and a pacific 5000 skimmer?

01/01/2009, 06:34 PM	#1
rsantangelo3@co Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ct Posts: 846	Plumbing undrilled sump? Looking to use a 75 gallon as a sump for my 300 gallon but unsure on best wat to make a return line. Is it as easy as running a pvc U over the side of sump to below the watr line, then the pump will just pump it over?? All input is much appreciated!

01/01/2009, 07:25 PM	#5
rgrobe Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego area Posts: 416	Another option Sorry, forgot one thought. Use a submersible pump right inside your sump. Problem eliminated without drilling.

01/01/2009, 06:42 PM	#2
laredo300c Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: laredo tx Posts: 646	i plan on using a 30 gallon as a sump for my sump on a future 120gallon....i have never had a sump before, but i've seen some veteran reef keepers on here just dump a drain flex tube in and the pump will hold a black/clear flexable tube for the return...no drilling, no complicated inlets, the two that are inspiring to me ( their tanks) don't even use baffles in their sumps

01/01/2009, 07:23 PM	#3
rgrobe Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego area Posts: 416	It will work once started. You may have to prime the pump to get the suction started. The draw back is a power outage when you are not around. You are likeloy to lose the suction and the pump may run and cavitate causing overheat and damage to the seals or worse. If the tank is down have at least one hole drilled for a bulkhead appropriately sized for the pump. Now you have one less problem to worry about. Acrylic you can DIY if you know someone with a set of hole saws. If it is glass have it done by someone with some experience.

01/01/2009, 07:24 PM	#4
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	the only problem with an inlet that is higher than the pump, is if the power goes out (or anytime the pump is turned off) it will need to be primed to get started again since there will be air in the line. If the pump starts running without water, and doesn't get any very soon, it usually ends in a bad situation. I would use a submersible pump (or maybe a few for a tank that size), or just drill it

01/01/2009, 08:43 PM	#6
rsantangelo3@co Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ct Posts: 846	no other option to keep water in sump without drilling?

01/01/2009, 08:49 PM	#7
rsantangelo3@co Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ct Posts: 846	What about a pond submersiable pump then? enought to run a retrun and a pacific 5000 skimmer?