Sump Without drilling my tank

05Xrunner · 01/01/2007, 10:32 PM

I was wondering.
How would I setup a sump for my new 75gal but I am not going to be drilling my tank.
I have seen those HOB overflows but I heard if power goes out they wont stop flowing and could flood house.

Puffdragon · 01/02/2007, 10:06 AM

If you get the right ones, they will quit when the water gets down to the overflow level. So you need to leave extra room in the sump to handle this. Then when the power comes back on it will start back up. Also get a luft pump to help restart.

sjm817 · 01/02/2007, 10:11 AM

A good overflow will always restart when power is lost and do so without the aid of any pump or other external device.

Get a Lifereef overflow. They are the best in the business. Super reliable.

SaltyDr · 01/02/2007, 02:56 PM

You can get a hang-on overflow with a "U" siphon. When the power goes out it will keep draining until it reaches the level of the in-tank portion. Make sure that you have one or two holes in the return line at around the water line so that you don't "back siphon" in to the sump. If you get the levels right you don't ever have to worry about a flood. Hope this helps.

05Xrunner · 01/02/2007, 03:15 PM

I am going to look into all this.
I was thinking of making my sump out of one of my 10gal tanks. Would that be good for a 75gal tank.

luke33 · 01/02/2007, 03:39 PM

If money is an issue, make your own out of a rubbermaid container. Thats what i'm in the process of doing with my 125g. I am making a refugium built into the sump as well. Its cheap and effective. I bought a u tube overflow and will be pumping 1000 gph through the sump and 100-200gph through my refuge. The lifereef overflow is supose to be the best utube available, but its 200 bux. I went with the hurricane overflow. I hope it works great, but we'll see. Here's more info about the hurricane. http://yhst-66907246933688.stores.ya...t/quprov1.html Good luck and if you need any more info feel free to PM

luke33 · 01/02/2007, 03:40 PM

Sorry, i would go with a larger sump.

sjm817 · 01/02/2007, 04:04 PM

DX5, Go with a larger sump. 10g is way too small. A 30L makes a good sump for a 75G.

Luke, 1000 GPH through a sump is a lot. Why so much? That overflow will not handle that much flow despite its "1200 GPH" rating anyway.

jpd02 · 01/02/2007, 04:16 PM

05xrunner-
I use 2 CPR 300gph overflows w/ airlifter pumps on my 72 gall and haven't had any problems with them (they've been in use for about a year). As for the sump size - definitely go bigger - I have only a 15 gall sump on my tank and I really wish it was bigger - I just don't have space right now.

elf5 · 01/02/2007, 05:54 PM

I have the hurricane 600gph overflow on my sump and it works great. It is very quiet. I have about 325gph going through the sump.

Wrench · 01/02/2007, 06:41 PM

I have one made by pro clear aquatics. Works like a champ. As long as the pipe to the sump is higher than the u-tube you'll never lose siphon or overflow your tank. It will also never lose prime.

05Xrunner · 01/02/2007, 09:19 PM

This tank is going to be mainly Fish and live rock...probably no coral.
What kind of pump should I get to do for a return line.

Wrench · 01/03/2007, 08:15 AM

You're still going to need a good amount of current. The water needs to flow over and through the live rock for it to filter the water. I've found that the fish like the current as well. I thought they would hide from it and try to find calm areas but they're just the opposite. I have a Rio 2100 return pump. Many don't like it because they have been known to fail but you can get something similar. After calculating head loss it is a 400gph pump. I've also got two Maxi Jet 900's in the tank for flow and I wouldn't want more than that. My tank, however, is smaller than yours.

05Xrunner · 01/03/2007, 09:24 AM

So are you guys just using powerheads...or is there a certain type of pump needed for this.
would the Aquaclear 901 fit the bill rated at 936gph.

Thanks

piscivorous · 01/03/2007, 09:57 AM

I purchased two of these overflows from Aquacrylics....excellently made...I've read many great reviews and they were well packed. I got two just for peace of mind.
http://www.aquacrylics.com/aquarium_filters.htm
I will be running those on my 55 gallon. I wanted to use a 20 gallon for my sump, unfortunately it won't fit under my stand, so I opted to use a 15 gallon tall....this will allow me to add a little more water and have space in case of overflow due to power outtage. I just received the in sump skimmer... a $178 promo Euroreef from Premium Aquatics....I just ordered two 100 watt Ebo Jagers...and I've got a Mag 9 for my return pump. I'll be running the Mag 9 through a SCWD which will cut back on the flow quite a bit. So that is the setup I am going with...now I just need to put it all together.

Fishbulb2 · 01/03/2007, 11:43 AM

I will only add to periodically check your U-tubes and KEEP THEM CLEAN. The only flood i've had was a result of a clogged U-tube do to a hair algae problem back in the day. Anyways, the aglae clogged up the tube and the tank overflowed. Keep and eye on the tubes and they should work fine for you.
FB

05Xrunner · 01/03/2007, 11:47 AM

thanks..good advice

here is kinda the diagram of the way my sump is gonna run...I think i am gonna do a 20L tank

Wrench · 01/03/2007, 05:34 PM

I would put the fuge at the opposite end of the drain. The way you've got it drawn you will have too much flow through the fuge. If you put it at the end, you can "T" off of the drain line and limit the flow to the fuge. There is an example on Melev's site called Model "E", http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...p_model_e.html . You could make the return area smaller so that the drain section could also house the skimmer and the bubble trap would keep bubbles out of the return area. Another option would be to direct the return line from the skimmer to the fuge.

01/01/2007, 10:32 PM	#1
05Xrunner Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 768	Sump Without drilling my tank I was wondering. How would I setup a sump for my new 75gal but I am not going to be drilling my tank. I have seen those HOB overflows but I heard if power goes out they wont stop flowing and could flood house.

01/02/2007, 10:06 AM	#2
Puffdragon Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 297	If you get the right ones, they will quit when the water gets down to the overflow level. So you need to leave extra room in the sump to handle this. Then when the power comes back on it will start back up. Also get a luft pump to help restart. __________________ The definition of an expert "Someone who has done something for so long that they can not see a new way to do things." Current Tank Info: 350 gallon mixed reef system

01/02/2007, 10:11 AM	#3
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	A good overflow will always restart when power is lost and do so without the aid of any pump or other external device. Get a Lifereef overflow. They are the best in the business. Super reliable. __________________ - Scott

01/02/2007, 04:04 PM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	DX5, Go with a larger sump. 10g is way too small. A 30L makes a good sump for a 75G. Luke, 1000 GPH through a sump is a lot. Why so much? That overflow will not handle that much flow despite its "1200 GPH" rating anyway. __________________ - Scott

01/03/2007, 11:43 AM	#16
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	I will only add to periodically check your U-tubes and KEEP THEM CLEAN. The only flood i've had was a result of a clogged U-tube do to a hair algae problem back in the day. Anyways, the aglae clogged up the tube and the tank overflowed. Keep and eye on the tubes and they should work fine for you. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

01/02/2007, 02:56 PM	#4
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	You can get a hang-on overflow with a "U" siphon. When the power goes out it will keep draining until it reaches the level of the in-tank portion. Make sure that you have one or two holes in the return line at around the water line so that you don't "back siphon" in to the sump. If you get the levels right you don't ever have to worry about a flood. Hope this helps.

01/02/2007, 03:15 PM	#5
05Xrunner Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 768	I am going to look into all this. I was thinking of making my sump out of one of my 10gal tanks. Would that be good for a 75gal tank.

01/02/2007, 03:39 PM	#6
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	If money is an issue, make your own out of a rubbermaid container. Thats what i'm in the process of doing with my 125g. I am making a refugium built into the sump as well. Its cheap and effective. I bought a u tube overflow and will be pumping 1000 gph through the sump and 100-200gph through my refuge. The lifereef overflow is supose to be the best utube available, but its 200 bux. I went with the hurricane overflow. I hope it works great, but we'll see. Here's more info about the hurricane. http://yhst-66907246933688.stores.ya...t/quprov1.html Good luck and if you need any more info feel free to PM

01/02/2007, 03:40 PM	#7
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Sorry, i would go with a larger sump.

01/02/2007, 04:16 PM	#9
jpd02 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 52	05xrunner- I use 2 CPR 300gph overflows w/ airlifter pumps on my 72 gall and haven't had any problems with them (they've been in use for about a year). As for the sump size - definitely go bigger - I have only a 15 gall sump on my tank and I really wish it was bigger - I just don't have space right now.

01/02/2007, 05:54 PM	#10
elf5 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 41	I have the hurricane 600gph overflow on my sump and it works great. It is very quiet. I have about 325gph going through the sump.

01/02/2007, 06:41 PM	#11
Wrench Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,004	I have one made by pro clear aquatics. Works like a champ. As long as the pipe to the sump is higher than the u-tube you'll never lose siphon or overflow your tank. It will also never lose prime.

01/02/2007, 09:19 PM	#12
05Xrunner Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 768	This tank is going to be mainly Fish and live rock...probably no coral. What kind of pump should I get to do for a return line.

01/03/2007, 08:15 AM	#13
Wrench Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,004	You're still going to need a good amount of current. The water needs to flow over and through the live rock for it to filter the water. I've found that the fish like the current as well. I thought they would hide from it and try to find calm areas but they're just the opposite. I have a Rio 2100 return pump. Many don't like it because they have been known to fail but you can get something similar. After calculating head loss it is a 400gph pump. I've also got two Maxi Jet 900's in the tank for flow and I wouldn't want more than that. My tank, however, is smaller than yours.

01/03/2007, 09:24 AM	#14
05Xrunner Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 768	So are you guys just using powerheads...or is there a certain type of pump needed for this. would the Aquaclear 901 fit the bill rated at 936gph. Thanks

01/03/2007, 09:57 AM	#15
piscivorous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Groton, N.Y. Posts: 801	I purchased two of these overflows from Aquacrylics....excellently made...I've read many great reviews and they were well packed. I got two just for peace of mind. http://www.aquacrylics.com/aquarium_filters.htm I will be running those on my 55 gallon. I wanted to use a 20 gallon for my sump, unfortunately it won't fit under my stand, so I opted to use a 15 gallon tall....this will allow me to add a little more water and have space in case of overflow due to power outtage. I just received the in sump skimmer... a $178 promo Euroreef from Premium Aquatics....I just ordered two 100 watt Ebo Jagers...and I've got a Mag 9 for my return pump. I'll be running the Mag 9 through a SCWD which will cut back on the flow quite a bit. So that is the setup I am going with...now I just need to put it all together.

01/03/2007, 11:47 AM	#17
05Xrunner Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 768	thanks..good advice here is kinda the diagram of the way my sump is gonna run...I think i am gonna do a 20L tank

01/03/2007, 05:34 PM	#18
Wrench Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,004	I would put the fuge at the opposite end of the drain. The way you've got it drawn you will have too much flow through the fuge. If you put it at the end, you can "T" off of the drain line and limit the flow to the fuge. There is an example on Melev's site called Model "E", http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...p_model_e.html . You could make the return area smaller so that the drain section could also house the skimmer and the bubble trap would keep bubbles out of the return area. Another option would be to direct the return line from the skimmer to the fuge.