Can anyone give me a little sump advice?

alaska clowns · 12/05/2009, 02:28 PM

I've had some discouraging sump troubles. My first sump attempt cracked after a couple of weeks because I didn't realize that it had to be perfectly level. That being said......I had trouble fitting the 10gallon aquarium/sump under my 55, so now I'm looking for other options. I was wondering...... can a wet/dry filter be easily converted into a sump-type setup? The purpose of my sump will be to add extra water volume to my 55 gallon tank, increase water circulation, and hide my heater and possibly my seaclone 100 protein skimmer. I would also like to incorporate a ATS into the sump, just kind of an experiment. I would plan to toss the bioballs. I was looking on ebay, and for all my troubles, I could get a complete wet/ dry setup including the overflow box (which I diy'd for my R.I.P. 10 gallon sump) for under $200.....It would be more water volume than I could get with a 10 gallon tank, and it would fit and be level under my 55 gallon aquarium. However, I have never actually seen one of these filters, so I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. The one in particular I saw was by aqua clear.
Thanks so much for your help!

spleify · 12/05/2009, 02:41 PM

Yes you can convert a wet/dry into a sump, you might need to add an extra baffle or two depending on what it is like when you get it and how you want it set up.

flameangel9 · 12/05/2009, 02:50 PM

You can use anything for a sump. Keep in mind it doesn't have to be a tank. It can be anything. Its purpose is to increase water volume, airate, house equipment and cycle water. It doesn't have to be see thru it can be any foodgrade plastic container. Its under the stand it doesn't have to be pretty.

joet3580 · 12/05/2009, 03:10 PM

used one for 2 years

arredondojason · 12/05/2009, 03:39 PM

I am in the process of doing the exact thing look on the for sale form here on RC that is where I got mine. I got an AGA Mega Flow model 4 for $145 shipped and is normally almost $450-$500 online so it was a great deal.
I know there was someone that had the same kind but it was a model 2 that they where selling.
Good luck to you and hope it all works out for you.

lordofthereef · 12/05/2009, 07:10 PM

I am not understanding how a 10g tank cannot be level but this new wet/dry sump will? Surely the footprint isn't THAT different?

bad santa · 12/05/2009, 08:10 PM

just use a rubbermaid container from walmart that will fit inside your stand

alaska clowns · 12/05/2009, 10:27 PM

Thanks everyone, for your replies. Lordofthereef, we had to modify the stand to get the 10gallon to fit by cutting away at parts of some of the braces. Even then, it would only fit if we set it up on something to raise it an inch or two. I'm embarrassed to say that my great idea of what to set it on was................eggcrate. Yikes. The eggcrate held up just fine. But the tank didn't. I think I could probably add that to the dumbest newbie mistake thread. Anyhow, the sump I was looking at on ebay is narrower and taller and longer- so, more volume that would actually fit. But maybe the Walmart rubbermaid idea is for me.............
Is there a way to create a bubble trap for eliminating microbubbles in a rubbermaid container? Thank you again!

alaska clowns · 12/06/2009, 12:14 AM

I think my question got lost in my last post... is there a way to prevent microbubbles when using a rubbermaid tub? I'm assuming it's not possible to use baffles due to the tapered sides.... I know filter socks help, but there's also bubbles from the skimmer.....

Frick-n-Frags · 12/06/2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameangel9

You can use anything for a sump. Keep in mind it doesn't have to be a tank. It can be anything. Its purpose is to increase water volume, airate, house equipment and cycle water. It doesn't have to be see thru it can be any foodgrade plastic container. Its under the stand it doesn't have to be pretty.

^this

alaska clowns · 12/06/2009, 12:57 AM

So..... is it not really necessary to filter out microbubbles?

Frick-n-Frags · 12/06/2009, 01:03 AM

do you have a microbubble problem in the main tank? itprobably is dependent on the skimmer type you have. mine doesnt leak microbubbles in its effluent. there are no microbubbles, so for me, no. i have one tub for the dark sump. it has returns, some non-photos stuff on couple pc LR, skimmer and return pump all together.

the foam goes outthe top of my skimmer

edit: now that i read slower..you are saying you DO have microbubbles from the skimmer. ok, so nm heh

alaska clowns · 12/06/2009, 01:28 AM

My skimmer splashes down into the sump, so I guess that's where the microbubbles came from (when the water level was too high for the baffles to work properly). But I just read a post that lordofthereef replied to a while ago and I forgot- he said to use containers, so I'll try that.

Frick-n-Frags.... Are you using rubbermaid tubs for your sump? Are you using more than one, if so, how do you have them connected? Thanks for your help!

alaska clowns · 12/06/2009, 02:41 AM

I shoulda used the search engine first....here's the thread that answers just about every question you could ask on rubbermaid sumps:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ubbermaid+sump

Playa-1 · 12/06/2009, 07:11 AM

You can put a smaller container inside of a larger container and it can be set up to function as baffles or separate compartments within the sump. Another thing that I haven't seen but may have overlooked in this thread, is remotely locating the sump. It doesn't necessarily have to be inside of the stand. It makes life much easier if you can set the sump up somewhere besides in the stand under the tank. If you have a near by closet, could pop a couple of hoses and wire thru the wall to the next room, closet or possibly a garage. Many people have a basement and take the sump and the plumbing thru the floor to free up space. There are lots of options. Think outside the stand

And by the way a 55 makes a good sized sump/fuge. Maybe Santa will bring you a bigger tank

alaska clowns · 12/07/2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playa-1

You can put a smaller container inside of a larger container and it can be set up to function as baffles or separate compartments within the sump. Another thing that I haven't seen but may have overlooked in this thread, is remotely locating the sump. It doesn't necessarily have to be inside of the stand. It makes life much easier if you can set the sump up somewhere besides in the stand under the tank. If you have a near by closet, could pop a couple of hoses and wire thru the wall to the next room, closet or possibly a garage. Many people have a basement and take the sump and the plumbing thru the floor to free up space. There are lots of options. Think outside the stand

And by the way a 55 makes a good sized sump/fuge. Maybe Santa will bring you a bigger tank

Thanks, Playa-1 for the helpful ideas. Yep, that's my ambition... to have a tank big enough to justify a 55 gallon sump

I'll just be sure to level it first

12/05/2009, 02:28 PM	#1
alaska clowns Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Not so far north Posts: 564	Can anyone give me a little sump advice? I've had some discouraging sump troubles. My first sump attempt cracked after a couple of weeks because I didn't realize that it had to be perfectly level. That being said......I had trouble fitting the 10gallon aquarium/sump under my 55, so now I'm looking for other options. I was wondering...... can a wet/dry filter be easily converted into a sump-type setup? The purpose of my sump will be to add extra water volume to my 55 gallon tank, increase water circulation, and hide my heater and possibly my seaclone 100 protein skimmer. I would also like to incorporate a ATS into the sump, just kind of an experiment. I would plan to toss the bioballs. I was looking on ebay, and for all my troubles, I could get a complete wet/ dry setup including the overflow box (which I diy'd for my R.I.P. 10 gallon sump) for under $200.....It would be more water volume than I could get with a 10 gallon tank, and it would fit and be level under my 55 gallon aquarium. However, I have never actually seen one of these filters, so I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. The one in particular I saw was by aqua clear. Thanks so much for your help!

12/05/2009, 02:41 PM	#2
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Yes you can convert a wet/dry into a sump, you might need to add an extra baffle or two depending on what it is like when you get it and how you want it set up. __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

12/05/2009, 07:10 PM	#6
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I am not understanding how a 10g tank cannot be level but this new wet/dry sump will? Surely the footprint isn't THAT different? __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

12/05/2009, 08:10 PM	#7
bad santa SCRK member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 1,444	just use a rubbermaid container from walmart that will fit inside your stand __________________ Ed "Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying" "Were discussing man,...you have your wrong opinion i have my right one. Its called communication." Mac Inger Current Tank Info: working on establishing a 32 Gal. Nano-Cube

12/06/2009, 01:03 AM	#12
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	do you have a microbubble problem in the main tank? itprobably is dependent on the skimmer type you have. mine doesnt leak microbubbles in its effluent. there are no microbubbles, so for me, no. i have one tub for the dark sump. it has returns, some non-photos stuff on couple pc LR, skimmer and return pump all together. the foam goes outthe top of my skimmer edit: now that i read slower..you are saying you DO have microbubbles from the skimmer. ok, so nm heh __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

12/05/2009, 02:50 PM	#3
flameangel9 OnyxInc. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Upstate N.Y. Posts: 439	You can use anything for a sump. Keep in mind it doesn't have to be a tank. It can be anything. Its purpose is to increase water volume, airate, house equipment and cycle water. It doesn't have to be see thru it can be any foodgrade plastic container. Its under the stand it doesn't have to be pretty.

12/05/2009, 03:10 PM	#4
joet3580 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 53	used one for 2 years

12/05/2009, 03:39 PM	#5
arredondojason Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 988	I am in the process of doing the exact thing look on the for sale form here on RC that is where I got mine. I got an AGA Mega Flow model 4 for $145 shipped and is normally almost $450-$500 online so it was a great deal. I know there was someone that had the same kind but it was a model 2 that they where selling. Good luck to you and hope it all works out for you.

12/05/2009, 10:27 PM	#8
alaska clowns Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Not so far north Posts: 564	Thanks everyone, for your replies. Lordofthereef, we had to modify the stand to get the 10gallon to fit by cutting away at parts of some of the braces. Even then, it would only fit if we set it up on something to raise it an inch or two. I'm embarrassed to say that my great idea of what to set it on was................eggcrate. Yikes. The eggcrate held up just fine. But the tank didn't. I think I could probably add that to the dumbest newbie mistake thread. Anyhow, the sump I was looking at on ebay is narrower and taller and longer- so, more volume that would actually fit. But maybe the Walmart rubbermaid idea is for me............. Is there a way to create a bubble trap for eliminating microbubbles in a rubbermaid container? Thank you again!

12/06/2009, 12:14 AM	#9
alaska clowns Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Not so far north Posts: 564	I think my question got lost in my last post... is there a way to prevent microbubbles when using a rubbermaid tub? I'm assuming it's not possible to use baffles due to the tapered sides.... I know filter socks help, but there's also bubbles from the skimmer.....

12/06/2009, 12:57 AM	#11
alaska clowns Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Not so far north Posts: 564	So..... is it not really necessary to filter out microbubbles?

12/06/2009, 01:28 AM	#13
alaska clowns Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Not so far north Posts: 564	My skimmer splashes down into the sump, so I guess that's where the microbubbles came from (when the water level was too high for the baffles to work properly). But I just read a post that lordofthereef replied to a while ago and I forgot- he said to use containers, so I'll try that. Frick-n-Frags.... Are you using rubbermaid tubs for your sump? Are you using more than one, if so, how do you have them connected? Thanks for your help! Last edited by alaska clowns; 12/06/2009 at 01:52 AM.

12/06/2009, 02:41 AM	#14
alaska clowns Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Not so far north Posts: 564	I shoulda used the search engine first....here's the thread that answers just about every question you could ask on rubbermaid sumps: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ubbermaid+sump

12/06/2009, 07:11 AM	#15
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	You can put a smaller container inside of a larger container and it can be set up to function as baffles or separate compartments within the sump. Another thing that I haven't seen but may have overlooked in this thread, is remotely locating the sump. It doesn't necessarily have to be inside of the stand. It makes life much easier if you can set the sump up somewhere besides in the stand under the tank. If you have a near by closet, could pop a couple of hoses and wire thru the wall to the next room, closet or possibly a garage. Many people have a basement and take the sump and the plumbing thru the floor to free up space. There are lots of options. Think outside the stand And by the way a 55 makes a good sized sump/fuge. Maybe Santa will bring you a bigger tank