55 Gallon Sump Help!!

MaineReef22 · 03/19/2011, 06:02 AM

Ive been wanting to upgrade to a sump for awhile but i need to know what to get. Im probably gonna use a 10 gallon aquarium for the sump. Could someone help me out with a list of the pvc and other materials i will need?

crichard6069 · 03/19/2011, 06:10 AM

I just built a sump out of an old 55g aquarium yesterday. Granted it's a bit larger than your 10g but it came out pretty darn good. I'm sorry I dumped a couple hundred bucks on one last summer that I now won't be using..

I ordered my plastic sheeting from: http://www.usplastic.com/

And just used some regular aquarium silicone to wedge it to the walls of the tank (silicone doesn't actually stick to plastic but it creates more of a "wedge" that seems to do the trick). I bought the marineland silicone from foster and smith for around $8.

bvoss · 03/19/2011, 06:19 AM

First let me suggets that if you are building a sump for a 55 gallon display, you might want to look at a 20 long for a sump if not bigger. There is a calculator on the home page of this site that helps you calculate how big of a sump you need to deal with the backflow of water when the power goes out. Bigger is better in this case.

Also take a look at the skimmer you may want to put in this. You don't want to save a few dollars on the sump and then find that you are stuck choosing between a couple of expensive little skimmers because they are the only ones that will fit.

Most of the expense if this hobby comes from doing things over.

MaineReef22 · 03/19/2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvoss

First let me suggets that if you are building a sump for a 55 gallon display, you might want to look at a 20 long for a sump if not bigger. There is a calculator on the home page of this site that helps you calculate how big of a sump you need to deal with the backflow of water when the power goes out. Bigger is better in this case.

Also take a look at the skimmer you may want to put in this. You don't want to save a few dollars on the sump and then find that you are stuck choosing between a couple of expensive little skimmers because they are the only ones that will fit.

Most of the expense if this hobby comes from doing things over.

Well what kind of skimmer should i get? Right now i have an Aquac remora hang on skimmer and it does great but obviously im gonna need an in sump skimmer.

MaineReef22 · 03/19/2011, 06:53 AM

Ive been impressed with my aquac hang on over the last couple of years so im thinking about sticking with them but get the ev-120 what do you think?
http://www.proteinskimmer.com/Product%20Pages/EV120.htm

bvoss · 03/20/2011, 06:28 AM

I'd say check out the Avast peg leg (RC sponsor). Lots of power and a small footprint. It could probably handle a lightly stocked 150. Always good to have more skimmer than you think you will ever need.

03/19/2011, 06:02 AM	#1
MaineReef22 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 406	55 Gallon Sump Help!! Ive been wanting to upgrade to a sump for awhile but i need to know what to get. Im probably gonna use a 10 gallon aquarium for the sump. Could someone help me out with a list of the pvc and other materials i will need? __________________ Dont think about the money that goes into your tank it makes reefing a lot easier ;) Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed reef, Current Dual Satellite Series Lighting, AquaC Remora Skimmer, Fluval 305 filter

03/19/2011, 06:53 AM	#5
MaineReef22 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 406	Ive been impressed with my aquac hang on over the last couple of years so im thinking about sticking with them but get the ev-120 what do you think? http://www.proteinskimmer.com/Product%20Pages/EV120.htm __________________ Dont think about the money that goes into your tank it makes reefing a lot easier ;) Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed reef, Current Dual Satellite Series Lighting, AquaC Remora Skimmer, Fluval 305 filter

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03/19/2011, 06:10 AM	#2
crichard6069 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 591	I just built a sump out of an old 55g aquarium yesterday. Granted it's a bit larger than your 10g but it came out pretty darn good. I'm sorry I dumped a couple hundred bucks on one last summer that I now won't be using.. I ordered my plastic sheeting from: http://www.usplastic.com/ And just used some regular aquarium silicone to wedge it to the walls of the tank (silicone doesn't actually stick to plastic but it creates more of a "wedge" that seems to do the trick). I bought the marineland silicone from foster and smith for around $8.

03/19/2011, 06:19 AM	#3
bvoss Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 795	First let me suggets that if you are building a sump for a 55 gallon display, you might want to look at a 20 long for a sump if not bigger. There is a calculator on the home page of this site that helps you calculate how big of a sump you need to deal with the backflow of water when the power goes out. Bigger is better in this case. Also take a look at the skimmer you may want to put in this. You don't want to save a few dollars on the sump and then find that you are stuck choosing between a couple of expensive little skimmers because they are the only ones that will fit. Most of the expense if this hobby comes from doing things over.

03/20/2011, 06:28 AM	#6
bvoss Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 795	I'd say check out the Avast peg leg (RC sponsor). Lots of power and a small footprint. It could probably handle a lightly stocked 150. Always good to have more skimmer than you think you will ever need.