Pimp my Sump!!! thanks.

Ston3 · 03/10/2010, 10:45 PM

Hello Everyone,

I'm at day 20 of my very first SW tank. I have a 37g and I'm in the process of designing a 10g sump. Through my extensive research, this is the product of my imagination. I ask you all for your advice on whether it is feasible or not. Any feedback is gladly welcome.

I plan on running a DIY PVC overflow as shown here:

I was intending to use 1/2-3/4" PVC. I am unsure of which one would be best for the flow of the sump. I don't even know how many GPH it can pull. Any insight here would be most excellent.

From there, the flow would go down into my vision of a 10g sump:

There would be some sort of fitted container to insert media bags. I would have my odyssa ps 75 skimming via hanging. The bubble trap would then send the water over a mesh entrapment for chaeto. I was considering on moving the entrapment to the left side of the fuge to avoid subjecting the chaeto to so much flow. There would be my LR and LS thrown into the fuge. Finally, it would be sent off to my DT in my return section. The return piping will have a couple failsafe siphon holes as well.

I know it is small, but that is all that will fit (and it barely fits.) There's no grow light in the diagram but I will have one. Am I missing anything here? Any kinds of flood prevention tips? Any general ideas/critiques about the design?

Thank you all for your assistance!

Aquarist007 · 03/10/2010, 10:57 PM

I would add a ball valve on the return line between the pump and the tank. This ball valve will be used to determine the level of water in the display tank and the sump

Ston3 · 03/10/2010, 11:16 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot to include it. Thanks. How does everything else look?

Aquarist007 · 03/10/2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ston3

Oh yeah, I forgot to include it. Thanks. How does everything else look?

everything else looks great

Ston3 · 03/10/2010, 11:30 PM

Thank you capn. Going to start the build this week. Oh yea, how hard is it to cut acrylic? Do I just need a regular circular saw? Is there any kind of special aquarium safe acrylic? What about the thickness?

Aquarist007 · 03/10/2010, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ston3

Thank you capn. Going to start the build this week. Oh yea, how hard is it to cut acrylic? Do I just need a regular circular saw? Is there any kind of special aquarium safe acrylic? What about the thickness?

You will find Marcs site very usefull for information on acrylic

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

03/10/2010, 10:45 PM	#1
Ston3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 330	Pimp my Sump!!! thanks. Hello Everyone, I'm at day 20 of my very first SW tank. I have a 37g and I'm in the process of designing a 10g sump. Through my extensive research, this is the product of my imagination. I ask you all for your advice on whether it is feasible or not. Any feedback is gladly welcome. I plan on running a DIY PVC overflow as shown here: I was intending to use 1/2-3/4" PVC. I am unsure of which one would be best for the flow of the sump. I don't even know how many GPH it can pull. Any insight here would be most excellent. From there, the flow would go down into my vision of a 10g sump: There would be some sort of fitted container to insert media bags. I would have my odyssa ps 75 skimming via hanging. The bubble trap would then send the water over a mesh entrapment for chaeto. I was considering on moving the entrapment to the left side of the fuge to avoid subjecting the chaeto to so much flow. There would be my LR and LS thrown into the fuge. Finally, it would be sent off to my DT in my return section. The return piping will have a couple failsafe siphon holes as well. I know it is small, but that is all that will fit (and it barely fits.) There's no grow light in the diagram but I will have one. Am I missing anything here? Any kinds of flood prevention tips? Any general ideas/critiques about the design? Thank you all for your assistance!

03/10/2010, 10:57 PM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I would add a ball valve on the return line between the pump and the tank. This ball valve will be used to determine the level of water in the display tank and the sump __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

03/10/2010, 11:16 PM	#3
Ston3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 330	Oh yeah, I forgot to include it. Thanks. How does everything else look?

03/10/2010, 11:30 PM	#5
Ston3 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 330	Thank you capn. Going to start the build this week. Oh yea, how hard is it to cut acrylic? Do I just need a regular circular saw? Is there any kind of special aquarium safe acrylic? What about the thickness?