possible addition of sump to non-drilled tank

[jkdavids121507]

Tank has been up and running for about 4 months now. Everything has gone well considering some issues with my dogs taking an ok ntrresting one day and a small plumbing issue on my top off. How hard would it be to add a sump to a tank that is not drilled?

I want it to look good and would like to know what I would need to add a basic sump. I currently have a hydor skimmer that mounts inside of the display tank and would love to get it out.

[IMay1280]

Very limited experience here, but I know that you can get some very nice overflow boxes made from colored acrylic that will blend into a painted background nicely. My 90 gallon glass is not drilled, and the overflow box (clear) doesn't look too bad at all IMO.

Outside of the display tank, you will just need your plumbing down to the sump, the powerhead to pump the water back up to the display tank, and then the plumbing to get the water back up there.

In the sump, the possibilities are nearly endless depending on what kind of sump setup you want to make.

[Tomtopping]

overflow box ran one for years

[rocsec1]

I use an overflow box on my 75. It works fine but I am looking
Forward to bringing my drilled 120 on line

[Cesfilly]

I use an overflow box, it works really great! My water quality is much much better since adding a sump. It's really very easy.

[jkdavids121507]

What size sump would be recommended for a 30 gallon tank? Would a 10 gallon sump work?

[maddmaxx]

Originally Posted by jkdavids121507

What size sump would be recommended for a 30 gallon tank? Would a 10 gallon sump work?

try to get as big of a sump as you can. if you plan on adding a fuge to this sump. do not add sand. just use some macro algae inside the fuge chamber. the reason i say this is cause for a fuge to properly work with sand and rubble rock and macro it has to be big enough. so on a 30g tank, your not goin to be able to introduce a fuge like that, that is big enough. so i would recommend just some macro in the fuge section. (thats if your planning on running a fuge in this new sump)...

[theacox]

LFS can get you fully set up you need the sump, pump, overflow box, all the piping, a sponge to stop bubbles from going into display tank. I literally am setting that all up right now.

[mandarin_goby]

I added a Lifereef overflow (bought it used) and added it to my 40b after a year of having it running. I have no plumbing experience, but adding the overflow was very easy. I wanted to add more volume and hide equipment and live rock I wasn't using.

You'll need a pump (I have a Mag 7), tubing from the pump to the output (I bought tubing by the foot from Lowe's), tubing from the overflow to the sump, some c-clamps to hold the tubing onto the pump, output and overflow...that's about it. I have no baffles and just put my hang-on-back skimmer on the sump itself. Just throw the heater into the sump and you're set.

[jkdavids121507]

Anybody have any pictures of the plumbing that comes over the top of their tank? I would like to see some different set-ups on non-drilled tanks.

Thanks

[mandarin_goby]

Do you mean this? That's what I bought (my used overflow didn't come with one).

http://www.amazon.com/U--Tube-Direct...+tube+aquarium

[h2pvnus]

Get this http://www.marinedepot.com/overflow_boxes_cpr-ap.html

This: http://www.marinedepot.com/U_Tube_wi...FIFTRP-vi.html

Overflow box set up: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SP0A8d2UkT8

[Cujo13]

I have been using the pf800 overflow box for three years on a freshwater tank. It has never failed even in a power outage. A little noisy but a piece of foam cut to fit on the top has greatly reduced it.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pid=PPC-B-6137

[Sgt Jonny Cat]

I just added a sump/refugium to my 55 gallon. I got a used 30 gallon tank and did a DIY project. I have the Eshopps PF800 overflow and it works awesome, I have had no problems with siphon etc. I use a Rio HF 1400 return pump and it works great. I'm very happy I did the sump route...Good luck.

[kmbyrnes]

I've got a PF1000 on my 110. I like the dual drains. Dead silent and starts right back up after turning pumps off for feeding and maintenance.

[jkdavids121507]

What would be an adequate size overflow box for a 30 gallon tank?

[theacox]

Jkdavids I just set my 30 up today and I got the up to 75g box and it works great it's the pf300

[jkdavids121507]

Well, I am definitely going to look into it. I think it would help to have a better skimmer on the tank. Not to mention the added water flow.

[theacox]

Jkdavids Ya I have a 30g skimmer and now wish I had opted for a bigger one. It fills up so fast. The water flow is awesome clears everything that has just between chilling at the bottom right out.

[jkdavids121507]

Can someone post pictures of their actual overflow box and plumbing that comes over the top of the tank?

[GHill762]

eshopps, cheap and reliable.. stay away from cpr overflow imo..

[jkdavids121507]

Sorry. Also a picture of the sump if possible. Thanks.

I want to ensure it is a cleaner look than what I currently have.

[kentwo]

Can you have a sump that is not below your DT? If I did have one, it would have to be on the side on the same counter as the DT.

[shermanator]

Whatever you do: if you buy an overflow, an absolute MUST is one with a U-tube. Those are reliable and won't lose siphon. Lifereef and Eshoppes are two brands that use U-tubes.

[theacox]

Jkdavids I'll post right now