Sumps at a fair price?

Drachs · 12/03/2007, 03:54 PM

I was looking at the sumps in my local marine store, and they start at $300. This doesn't strike me as a fair price for an acrylic box. I know I can build one myself, but is there a company out there, perhaps on the web, that provides high quality sumps/overflows/pumps at a fair price?

Marc · 12/03/2007, 04:02 PM

Your best bet is to build your own sump if you have the proper tools and the knowledge of cutting and cementing acrylic panels. Companies usually charge high prices due to the high cost of acrylic sheets and the labor to build them. I built myself a sump and the materials cost me only $70.00 to build one 36"x30"'18" high sump. It worked out well and I am happier with the one I built than what most manufactures offer.

Marc

Turbovinny · 12/03/2007, 04:11 PM

like he said very easy to make and ALOT cheaper then the pre fab ones, build it as big as you can

hyperfocal · 12/03/2007, 07:09 PM

It is even easier to buy a 20gal or so aquarium, and install your own baffles.

mg426 · 12/03/2007, 08:07 PM

I agree get a tank silicone in some baffles and save some serious $$$$$$$

atvdave · 12/03/2007, 08:17 PM

just to give you some idea. I made this one out of a 65gal acrylic tank.

Marc · 12/03/2007, 08:21 PM

I built my sump out of 1/2" acrylic for more durability. I love it and could not be happier. I even plan on building a larger tank out of acrylic myself. I want to make a 400 gallon tank and it would cost me less than half of a manufactured one. It doesn't hurt to learn a trade if it can save you monry in the long run.

Marc

CruzinKim · 12/03/2007, 08:26 PM

Used sumps off CL, EB or use equipment forum. What size are you looking?

chrismunn · 12/03/2007, 09:05 PM

so what tools would you need to fab acrylic??? a router for clean edges, or a jointer. [ i dont even know what a jointer is, but marc levenson uses one when he fabs acrylic. ] a skilsaw with a cArbide tipped blade to trim panels to size. and a square... oh, measuring tape... hmm. im sure im missing something important here. c'mon guys. maybe a plan?

SeanT · 12/03/2007, 10:27 PM

atvdave,

What is the eggcrate primarily for?

Thanks,
Sean

Lumamae · 12/04/2007, 02:24 AM

Here's a really nice sump setup as a sample:

link removed

Blown 346 · 12/04/2007, 03:07 AM

I also built mine out of a 40 breeder tank.

Rwinfrey · 12/04/2007, 05:30 AM

why don't you buy a sump kit.you have the pieces cut and then glue them together yourself.you also save on the shipping. www.aquaticacrylics.com

Rubicon06 · 12/05/2007, 08:28 AM

tag for info

12/03/2007, 03:54 PM	#1
Drachs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Moline, IL Posts: 140	Sumps at a fair price? I was looking at the sumps in my local marine store, and they start at $300. This doesn't strike me as a fair price for an acrylic box. I know I can build one myself, but is there a company out there, perhaps on the web, that provides high quality sumps/overflows/pumps at a fair price?

12/03/2007, 04:11 PM	#3
Turbovinny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: 617 Posts: 47	like he said very easy to make and ALOT cheaper then the pre fab ones, build it as big as you can __________________ Vinny Current Tank Info: 110 SW - rest of my tanks are for Flowerhorns

12/03/2007, 07:09 PM	#4
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	It is even easier to buy a 20gal or so aquarium, and install your own baffles. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

12/03/2007, 08:07 PM	#5
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I agree get a tank silicone in some baffles and save some serious $$$$$$$ __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

12/03/2007, 09:05 PM	#9
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	so what tools would you need to fab acrylic??? a router for clean edges, or a jointer. [ i dont even know what a jointer is, but marc levenson uses one when he fabs acrylic. ] a skilsaw with a cArbide tipped blade to trim panels to size. and a square... oh, measuring tape... hmm. im sure im missing something important here. c'mon guys. maybe a plan? __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

12/03/2007, 04:02 PM	#2
Marc Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 572	Your best bet is to build your own sump if you have the proper tools and the knowledge of cutting and cementing acrylic panels. Companies usually charge high prices due to the high cost of acrylic sheets and the labor to build them. I built myself a sump and the materials cost me only $70.00 to build one 36"x30"'18" high sump. It worked out well and I am happier with the one I built than what most manufactures offer. Marc

12/03/2007, 08:17 PM	#6
atvdave Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newburgh, IN Posts: 1,763	just to give you some idea. I made this one out of a 65gal acrylic tank.

12/03/2007, 08:21 PM	#7
Marc Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 572	I built my sump out of 1/2" acrylic for more durability. I love it and could not be happier. I even plan on building a larger tank out of acrylic myself. I want to make a 400 gallon tank and it would cost me less than half of a manufactured one. It doesn't hurt to learn a trade if it can save you monry in the long run. Marc

12/03/2007, 08:26 PM	#8
CruzinKim Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: If Not There, Then Here. Posts: 693	Used sumps off CL, EB or use equipment forum. What size are you looking?

12/03/2007, 10:27 PM	#10
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	atvdave, What is the eggcrate primarily for? Thanks, Sean __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

12/04/2007, 02:24 AM	#11
Lumamae Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Bay Area, CA, USA Posts: 216	Here's a really nice sump setup as a sample: link removed Last edited by mhurley; 12/04/2007 at 11:51 AM.

12/04/2007, 03:07 AM	#12
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I also built mine out of a 40 breeder tank.

12/04/2007, 05:30 AM	#13
Rwinfrey Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oakdale,Ct. Posts: 2,772	why don't you buy a sump kit.you have the pieces cut and then glue them together yourself.you also save on the shipping. www.aquaticacrylics.com

12/05/2007, 08:28 AM	#14
Rubicon06 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 64	tag for info