20 gal sump build

BigH55 · 03/10/2008, 09:53 PM

Well after years of research and development I have decided to build a sump for my 75. I bought a 20 gal tank and have siliconed in 2 baffles. Wow i forgot how rewarding a DIY project was. had to stop because the silicone was making me dizzy. Thats funny because i manage a paint store. Anyway, I have a 12" chamber for my skimmer, return and heaters. There will also be some LR rubble and a sock to break up the drain flow. It will then go into a bubble trap which will lead to the fuge area. I will be using a mag 9.5 and a 800 overflow box. Of course there will be a ball valve for flow. How big ahould the return pump area be? Also how far from the top should the baffles be for flow. I CANNOT HAVE THIS THING OVERFLOW!!!! Its really fun making this myself and want to do it right.

Blown 346 · 03/10/2008, 10:01 PM

This might help you, Here is mine. I had all my baffles cut to the same height. I just test fitted my return pump for room and then put the baffle in. I have about 4 inches of room from the top when the sump is full and the return pump is off.

BigH55 · 03/11/2008, 08:11 PM

My fianace is going to kill me. Just bought the pump and overflow box from marinedepot. Also bought a 14k DE MH bulb off ebay for 26 bucks shipped. I hope It works out and is worth the time. I figure even if the bulb lasts half as long it would still be cheaper.

03/10/2008, 09:53 PM	#1
BigH55 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shiloh,IL Posts: 992	20 gal sump build Well after years of research and development I have decided to build a sump for my 75. I bought a 20 gal tank and have siliconed in 2 baffles. Wow i forgot how rewarding a DIY project was. had to stop because the silicone was making me dizzy. Thats funny because i manage a paint store. Anyway, I have a 12" chamber for my skimmer, return and heaters. There will also be some LR rubble and a sock to break up the drain flow. It will then go into a bubble trap which will lead to the fuge area. I will be using a mag 9.5 and a 800 overflow box. Of course there will be a ball valve for flow. How big ahould the return pump area be? Also how far from the top should the baffles be for flow. I CANNOT HAVE THIS THING OVERFLOW!!!! Its really fun making this myself and want to do it right.

03/10/2008, 10:01 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	This might help you, Here is mine. I had all my baffles cut to the same height. I just test fitted my return pump for room and then put the baffle in. I have about 4 inches of room from the top when the sump is full and the return pump is off.

03/11/2008, 08:11 PM	#3
BigH55 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shiloh,IL Posts: 992	My fianace is going to kill me. Just bought the pump and overflow box from marinedepot. Also bought a 14k DE MH bulb off ebay for 26 bucks shipped. I hope It works out and is worth the time. I figure even if the bulb lasts half as long it would still be cheaper.