Sump Question

Blinkgyrl2987 · 12/20/2006, 11:37 AM

I've never done one before. But I'm turning my 20L in to a sump now and going with a bigger tank. I'm wondering how most people do it as far as overflow from the tank and then return. The reason I'm confused is because I just bought a really nice canister filter that I want to use.... but this is not the pump that sits inside the sump.. I'd need something totally different to create a closed loop to the sump and back to the tank correct?
I'm thinking about doing a 40 Breeder tank with the 20 L sump. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can make this work?

I really like the idea of a sump... somewhere to hide heater, and I'd like to make some type of fuge but I really dont know how to do this either. I could just turn this 20 L into its own system below the main tank as a Hospital tank, that is the other option.

What would you do? Help me out.

Thanks in advance, Megan

lvreefer · 12/20/2006, 11:48 AM

I would use the canister for mechanical filtration, whether it is a closed loop on the main tank or just in the sump. Next, the most reliable way to get water to your sump is to have a built in overflow in the main display tank, vs. a hang on overflow. And finally, a good submersible pump to pump the water back up to the display.

Blinkgyrl2987 · 12/20/2006, 11:53 AM

If I buy a tank with a built in overflow... is it hard to do the plumbing? They are already predrilled I know.. but doing this myself scares me.... I guess someone at the fish store would know what pump would be best .

Can I get a smaller sized tank that already has a built in overflow? I know they make 55's and 75's and up from there.. but I'm afraid thats too big for me and my mom would kill me.

Also what exactely goes on in the sump?

I wish I could get a predrilled built in overflow 40 That would be awesome.

TwentyTwenty · 12/20/2006, 02:12 PM

No its not hard. An outflow from the overflow to the sump and a return from the sump. The pump you have to figure by the gph of the overflow and your head pressure. You can do it.

12/20/2006, 11:37 AM	#1
Blinkgyrl2987 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: maryland Posts: 382	Sump Question I've never done one before. But I'm turning my 20L in to a sump now and going with a bigger tank. I'm wondering how most people do it as far as overflow from the tank and then return. The reason I'm confused is because I just bought a really nice canister filter that I want to use.... but this is not the pump that sits inside the sump.. I'd need something totally different to create a closed loop to the sump and back to the tank correct? I'm thinking about doing a 40 Breeder tank with the 20 L sump. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can make this work? I really like the idea of a sump... somewhere to hide heater, and I'd like to make some type of fuge but I really dont know how to do this either. I could just turn this 20 L into its own system below the main tank as a Hospital tank, that is the other option. What would you do? Help me out. Thanks in advance, Megan

12/20/2006, 11:48 AM	#2
lvreefer Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,163	I would use the canister for mechanical filtration, whether it is a closed loop on the main tank or just in the sump. Next, the most reliable way to get water to your sump is to have a built in overflow in the main display tank, vs. a hang on overflow. And finally, a good submersible pump to pump the water back up to the display.

12/20/2006, 11:53 AM	#3
Blinkgyrl2987 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: maryland Posts: 382	If I buy a tank with a built in overflow... is it hard to do the plumbing? They are already predrilled I know.. but doing this myself scares me.... I guess someone at the fish store would know what pump would be best . Can I get a smaller sized tank that already has a built in overflow? I know they make 55's and 75's and up from there.. but I'm afraid thats too big for me and my mom would kill me. Also what exactely goes on in the sump? I wish I could get a predrilled built in overflow 40 That would be awesome.

12/20/2006, 02:12 PM	#4
TwentyTwenty Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: groton, ma. Posts: 185	No its not hard. An outflow from the overflow to the sump and a return from the sump. The pump you have to figure by the gph of the overflow and your head pressure. You can do it.