5 Gallon bucket for Sump?

[Jay21]

After THREE wrong purchases of sumps, wet dry, skimmers,

Iv sold all my faulty purchases and put in a 5 gallon bucket.

Benefits. IT was $5. Also its narrow and yet tall so it wont flood if a syphon breaks. I can keep my skimmer level HIGH as I need to.

Im still checking the flood proof aspect of it.

But is there any reason this wont just be a great idea?
Until I can find the perfect sump.

Hell I even got a sock in my drain tube in a 5 gallon bucket! :hb2:

 

[Ktm898]

is your return pump outside the bucket? if not i would fear the pump creating a vortech of air.

 

[Jay21]

its in the bucket. Iv not powered down everything to see if it floods yet.

Vortex like noise or flooding?

 

[stingeragent]

How'd you fit a protein skimmer and return pump in a 5 gallon bucket? To your perfect sump question, why not build your own if you know what you want but can't find it. All you need is a spare aquarium, some baffles and silicone. Will be much cheaper than the "ready made" sumps also.

 

[Ktm898]

its in the bucket. Iv not powered down everything to see if it floods yet.

Vortex like noise or flooding?

noise(sucking air from top water) also hope u have a ato somehow hooked up.

 

[tidus10]

This sounds really awesomely funny.. please post pics

btw walmart now carries 5gal buckets $2.60ea

If you line up 4 of these buckets together.. thats like a 20 gallon sump.. skimmer in one, heater in another, fuge in another and return in the last... all connected by PVC and uniseals

 

[Jay21]

fittings and bulk heads would be $$$

 

[Jay21]

I think im going to put a bulk head fitting on the side at the top with a drain to outside my wall so if power goes out then the water floods out of the bucket out my drain tube.

Contains,

small skimmer
Return pump
skimmer pump
chiller pump

total cost is $12 after I put in the bulk head.
I have some live rock in it also, just a bit.

 

[wnehez]

Hahaha I just have to ask, what is the point? Its not like it added much water volume. Just to keep the skimmer out of sight? Can't figure this one out...

 

[ecksreef]

Why is that better than the tank right next to it which probably has more volume

 

[Silent Mike]

I think im going to put a bulk head fitting on the side at the top with a drain to outside my wall so if power goes out then the water floods out of the bucket out my drain tube.

Contains,

small skimmer
Return pump
skimmer pump
chiller pump

total cost is $12 after I put in the bulk head.
I have some live rock in it also, just a bit.

Is that a brass ball valve in that picture?

 

[Jay21]

brass ball valve is on the drain. no water goes into it unless I have it on but either way if flooded last night about 1 gallon and Ill have to revisit this project.

there was no way to get the skimmer in my tank, it fit but the pump was to long for the built in wet dry. I might just get the nano smimmer that does fit.

 

[tidus10]

Ever think of just getting a Rubbermaid tub?

 

[Jay21]

yeah its a 55 gallon small tank so the stand is 18 inches wide getting anything down there is a trick! But yes Id like all this in my tank, no sump. I dont need one, I have $1000 of live rock that I got on criagslist from a garage sell. I guess I dont need a sump, a refreguiem, nothing.

 

[Jay21]

screw it, I just removed all the crap and put chiller lines, return pumps and skimmer in the back of the tank.
its dead silent, I never needed a return overflow and sump. it was getting stupid out of control tweaker land.
Why do they call it a skimmer if the pump is pulling water from the bottom?

simple is good and Im getting some skim of sorts,

 

[dabob79]

Wow lol

 

[zachts]

I hate it when I over think things....:lolspin:

 

[CStrickland]

hahaha, this thread was unexpectedly emotional
maybe a pic of my "sump" will make OP feel better, could be worse

ETA: dont worry i shut it off when im not around, or sleeping
also the heaters usually in there, and lately a homeless nub of chaeto in a little box