How to turn 29gal into Sump

rfdoc · 04/10/2007, 12:59 PM

After reading eveyrone's opinions and ideas about sumps the concept no longer scares me and I want to get rid of my canister filter. I have a 29 gallon freshwater tank that I want to convert into a sump for my 72 gallon display tank. I have zero plumbing/carpentry skills available to me unfortunately. Has anyone used a 29 gallon tank before and can give me some design ideas, the simpler the better for someone like myself? Also, where do I buy the baffles to install in it, and what do I use to hold them in place? I am assuming I just need to purchase a cpr or lifereef overflow and have that drain the water into the tank, I don't want to drill holes. Also I'll have to buy a pump to return the water which will just sit in the tank.

Thanks in advance.

chacha · 04/10/2007, 01:04 PM

Just use plexiglass for the baffles (Home Depot). Cut to size.

clownin'round · 04/10/2007, 02:05 PM

you can get your local glass shop to cut the baffles for you (measure first) and get some aquarium silicone from home depot or lowes. check out melevsreef for some design ideas.

an411 · 04/10/2007, 02:42 PM

I am going to be using a 29 gallon sump for my tank I am not sure how to post pics but if you look at the gallery on reefcentral that is where I got my design from I bought the plexiglass and silcone this weekend 50 bucks for everything

leebo_28 · 04/10/2007, 04:23 PM

I had a glass shop cut my baffles and polish the edges(no cuts)
30 bucks for 4 of em ....only use aquarium safe silicone also ...not just any silicone from hd or lowes

leebo_28 · 04/10/2007, 04:25 PM

also go to www.melevsreef.com for ideas and setups

lines_michael · 04/10/2007, 05:37 PM

I just converted a 29 gallon into a sump last weekend using glass baffles from local glass shop. Feel free to PM me if you want any info. God knows that I definately have receive way more info here than I have given. I actually have two baffles left but the shipping would probably be too much.

slider162 · 04/10/2007, 07:58 PM

I got my idea from Melevsreef...

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...***/index.html

rfdoc · 04/10/2007, 09:36 PM

Thanks all. slider162 - what are the eggcrates for in your pic?

slider162 · 04/11/2007, 06:32 AM

That is the light diffuser from Home Depot. Some people say that Lowes has it, but I have never seen it at Lowes in my area. I used acrylic baffles and cut them to size on my table saw.

rfdoc · 04/11/2007, 06:34 AM

What purpose does it server in the sump?

slider162 · 04/11/2007, 06:36 AM

It is a sump/refrigerum. It keeps the macro in the middle away from the pumps.

04/10/2007, 12:59 PM	#1
rfdoc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cape May County NJ Posts: 349	How to turn 29gal into Sump After reading eveyrone's opinions and ideas about sumps the concept no longer scares me and I want to get rid of my canister filter. I have a 29 gallon freshwater tank that I want to convert into a sump for my 72 gallon display tank. I have zero plumbing/carpentry skills available to me unfortunately. Has anyone used a 29 gallon tank before and can give me some design ideas, the simpler the better for someone like myself? Also, where do I buy the baffles to install in it, and what do I use to hold them in place? I am assuming I just need to purchase a cpr or lifereef overflow and have that drain the water into the tank, I don't want to drill holes. Also I'll have to buy a pump to return the water which will just sit in the tank. Thanks in advance.

04/10/2007, 01:04 PM	#2
chacha Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 50	Just use plexiglass for the baffles (Home Depot). Cut to size. __________________ 75g Reef; 30g Fuge/Sump 2-150W HQI 14K;2-96W Actinic (Main) 1-96W 50/50 (Fuge) Current Tank Info: 75g reef; 30g Refugium

04/10/2007, 04:23 PM	#5
leebo_28 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fl/Pa now Posts: 456	I had a glass shop cut my baffles and polish the edges(no cuts) 30 bucks for 4 of em ....only use aquarium safe silicone also ...not just any silicone from hd or lowes __________________ crayons go one drawer higher Current Tank Info: year 1/2 still new 90rr :(

04/10/2007, 04:25 PM	#6
leebo_28 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fl/Pa now Posts: 456	also go to www.melevsreef.com for ideas and setups __________________ crayons go one drawer higher Current Tank Info: year 1/2 still new 90rr :(

04/10/2007, 09:36 PM	#9
rfdoc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cape May County NJ Posts: 349	Thanks all. slider162 - what are the eggcrates for in your pic? __________________ ~It's not the size of your rod that counts, it's how you wiggle your worm~

04/10/2007, 02:05 PM	#3
clownin'round Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 61	you can get your local glass shop to cut the baffles for you (measure first) and get some aquarium silicone from home depot or lowes. check out melevsreef for some design ideas.

04/10/2007, 02:42 PM	#4
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	I am going to be using a 29 gallon sump for my tank I am not sure how to post pics but if you look at the gallery on reefcentral that is where I got my design from I bought the plexiglass and silcone this weekend 50 bucks for everything

04/10/2007, 05:37 PM	#7
lines_michael Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 95	I just converted a 29 gallon into a sump last weekend using glass baffles from local glass shop. Feel free to PM me if you want any info. God knows that I definately have receive way more info here than I have given. I actually have two baffles left but the shipping would probably be too much.

04/10/2007, 07:58 PM	#8
slider162 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orange City, FL Posts: 346	I got my idea from Melevsreef... http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...***/index.html

04/11/2007, 06:32 AM	#10
slider162 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orange City, FL Posts: 346	That is the light diffuser from Home Depot. Some people say that Lowes has it, but I have never seen it at Lowes in my area. I used acrylic baffles and cut them to size on my table saw.

04/11/2007, 06:34 AM	#11
rfdoc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cape May County NJ Posts: 349	What purpose does it server in the sump? __________________ ~It's not the size of your rod that counts, it's how you wiggle your worm~

04/11/2007, 06:36 AM	#12
slider162 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orange City, FL Posts: 346	It is a sump/refrigerum. It keeps the macro in the middle away from the pumps.