Question: Using External Pump w/ Non Drilled Sump

Underwood · 12/17/2007, 11:12 AM

I am in the process of upgrading to a 180 gallon tank. I plan to use a standard 55 gallon glass tank as my sump, and a Sequence Reeflo Snapper as my return pump. I have seen a few threads on here regarding drilled glass sumps using external return pumps that have cracked due to vibration or stress on the glass during pump maintenance.

My question is, would it be possible to just build a shelf for the return pump and plumb it so that the suction end goes over the top edge of the tank and into the "return section?" (Rather than drilling the return section, placing a bulkhead there, then plumbing to the external pump.) Has anyone done this? If so, can you post pictures?

The sump will be right under my display tank, and the Snapper is already "overpowered" for the flow I intend to run through there, so it seems like this would work. Am I missing anything here?

Newlin · 12/17/2007, 11:19 AM

The only problem I see with this is getting the pump primed. It's going to take a bit to get the water up and over the top. It's worth a shot though.

trmiv · 12/17/2007, 11:46 AM

You would probably be better off sitting the pump on the ground and building a U up over the side of the tank and into the sump. Put a T on the top of the U with either a plug or a ball valve attached to it that you can open to prime the pump.

megaspoot · 12/17/2007, 12:02 PM

If you put the pump lower than the sump, it will siphon out water as needed, and you only have to prime it once. as long as the side inside the tank remains submerged.

Underwood · 12/17/2007, 12:06 PM

Everyone - thanks for the advice... I hadn't thought of the pump priming issue. I think you all are probably right about just sitting it on the ground, that way there is a natural siphon once it's primed.

willtel76 · 12/17/2007, 01:22 PM

I'm doing it now with a Reeflo Snapper, it isn't ideal but I have never had it fail to prime. I added a tee to the top of the U pipe to aid in priming but I have never needed it. I do plan to drill the sump soon but for now this is working with no issues.

pangea · 12/17/2007, 09:10 PM

I'm doing it also, up and over w/ 2in pipe. Make sure you have a way to prime it.

12/17/2007, 11:12 AM	#1
Underwood Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Richardson, TX (Dallas) Posts: 73	Question: Using External Pump w/ Non Drilled Sump I am in the process of upgrading to a 180 gallon tank. I plan to use a standard 55 gallon glass tank as my sump, and a Sequence Reeflo Snapper as my return pump. I have seen a few threads on here regarding drilled glass sumps using external return pumps that have cracked due to vibration or stress on the glass during pump maintenance. My question is, would it be possible to just build a shelf for the return pump and plumb it so that the suction end goes over the top edge of the tank and into the "return section?" (Rather than drilling the return section, placing a bulkhead there, then plumbing to the external pump.) Has anyone done this? If so, can you post pictures? The sump will be right under my display tank, and the Snapper is already "overpowered" for the flow I intend to run through there, so it seems like this would work. Am I missing anything here?

12/17/2007, 11:19 AM	#2
Newlin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Noble, Ok. Posts: 227	The only problem I see with this is getting the pump primed. It's going to take a bit to get the water up and over the top. It's worth a shot though. __________________ Everything that I own is for sale, click my little red house for info. Local pickup only.

12/17/2007, 11:46 AM	#3
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	You would probably be better off sitting the pump on the ground and building a U up over the side of the tank and into the sump. Put a T on the top of the U with either a plug or a ball valve attached to it that you can open to prime the pump. __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

12/17/2007, 09:10 PM	#7
pangea Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 216	I'm doing it also, up and over w/ 2in pipe. Make sure you have a way to prime it. __________________ Pangaea-huge supercontinent surrounded by one gigantic ocean called Panthalassa Current Tank Info: 125g reef, 660 IC, 3-175 Aqua2 MH, DIY Skimmer, Knop , 240g reef w/-4 250se 10k, MR3 w/ Genx-pcx55, DIY Kalk and CA reactors, Seq22

12/17/2007, 12:02 PM	#4
megaspoot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 241	If you put the pump lower than the sump, it will siphon out water as needed, and you only have to prime it once. as long as the side inside the tank remains submerged.

12/17/2007, 12:06 PM	#5
Underwood Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Richardson, TX (Dallas) Posts: 73	Everyone - thanks for the advice... I hadn't thought of the pump priming issue. I think you all are probably right about just sitting it on the ground, that way there is a natural siphon once it's primed.

12/17/2007, 01:22 PM	#6
willtel76 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 113	I'm doing it now with a Reeflo Snapper, it isn't ideal but I have never had it fail to prime. I added a tee to the top of the U pipe to aid in priming but I have never needed it. I do plan to drill the sump soon but for now this is working with no issues.