15g tank, can i build a sump with a DSB in it?

[sayn3ver]

Thats the question. I figured i might as well have a go at building a DIY acrylic sump. It will be for my free be tank(15g) FOWLR.

I figured i should post in here since its for a nano tank.

I have about 10 inches wide by 20 inches long by 20inches high to work with under the stand.


As of now i am probably going with a CSS of some size(probably the 125, but thats a whole other topic). I dont want to run additional lighting so no sump fuge. Could i set the sump up tp use an in sump skimmer and have room for a DSB? I'd even be willing to go with a HOT skimmer on the sump if that would make it easier.

For the record, this will be my first salt water tank, my first sump and well...my first tank larger than 10g.

Also, what kind of overflow should i be looking into??

 

[sayn3ver]

did some poking around, definetly gonna go with the sump.

I wanna run an octopus 110 needle wheel skimmer.

My main question is the overflows. What should i use? is there any easy way of dealing with them without drilling the tank?

 

[natec]

Sayn3ver, if you're feeling adventurous and willing to take a shot at working with acrylic anyways, there is a DIY for an over flow at Melev's reef.

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/overflow.html

You may be able to construct it out of scraps left from building the sump. Good luck! Post some pics if you get the chance!

 

[norcal99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8633671#post8633671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sayn3ver
My main question is the overflows. What should i use? is there any easy way of dealing with them without drilling the tank?

Drilling is one way to do it (DSparks has it documented really well in his 20 gallon thread). If you don't want to mess with drilling, you could go with something like a CPR Overflow box (basically 1 box inside the tank and one hanging outside connected with a siphon tube). Something like that eliminates the need to drill and make your own overflow. There are a couple different alternatives that you could research but the CPR seems like what you're looking for.

 

[sayn3ver]

ok, did more reading.

Looks like so far i am gonna go with...

Lifereef prefilter/overflow.
Octopus NW110 skimmer.
10g AGA tank for sump(i think its the cheapest way to get one).

Since the overflow has a 1inch drain hole(with 1inch barb) can i use 1inch tubing instead of pvc tubing?

Second, what flowrate for the return pump? DO i just calculate what i want turnover to be? Is 10x hour good enough for salt water? If so then i am basically looking at 200gph(for water in tank and roughly 1/2 filled sump) pump plus the difference in head(3ft-3.5ft max?).

So about a 300gph pump then? I'd actually wouldnt mind a slower turnover so the skimmer has the chance to reprocess the sump water(kinda like a weak recuirculation).

Also, since the flow rate isn't that much, could i use flexible tubing on the way back to the tank from the return pump? I also assume this would be 1/2-3/4inch?