Adding a sump of sorts to nano

[nath514]

Hello Everyone,

I have a 8 gallon nano that I have been struggling with for months now. I have periods of excelent growth followed by coral die offs and algae problems. I should have drilled the tank when I started but sadly I didn't. What I would like to do now is to add a bulkhead fairly high on the tank that would drain into a 5 gallon tank essentially doubling my water volume. I was not planning on having a multi stage sump more of a place to put the hob, do perform water changes in so that the main tank doesn't swing so much. My main questions are

1. What is the smallest bulkhead that I could install / how fair down in the tank would it have to be.

2. Are there any really small skimmer boxes that I could install to allow me to position the bulkhead a little lower which still keeping the water level high.
I was eyeing this one, but I would ideally like something not quite so long:
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/JBJ-Nano-Cube-MSS-Modular-Surface-Skimmer-for-12G-24G-JB7333.htm

3. What would be a good turnover rate for the flow, I don't think I need very much just enough to skim the surface and keep the tank more stable. Can anyone recommend a return pump.

4. Would have the tank server mainly as a way to double water volume help or do I need to setup a multistage sump to get any benefit.

My plan for drilling the tank is to bring the water level down enough to expose where I would be drilling. Cover the hole with packing tape and then clamping a piece of wood behind where I am drilling to give me the support I need. I have drilled many tanks so I am fairly confident I could drill it without a problem.

Thanks for any help!
-Nathan

 

[CStrickland]

You might try something like this first to see if you get the results you're looking for http://www.eshopps.com/products/overflowboxes/pfnano/
the increased water volume will help with stability, and there's other things you can do too. A really tightly tuned ato, frequent small maintenance and dosing, low bioload etc. Tiny tanks are tricky like that, more water will dilute the swings and other options will reduce them in the first place

 

[nath514]

I have looked at that before, but I think I would rather drill the tank and be sure I am safe from siphoning problems. I also realized I can just print and surface skimming box to go around my bulkhead with my 3dprinter.

Sp my plan is to use a 1/2 inch bulkhead surrounded by a 3d printed surface skimmer box. Use pvc pipe down the 5 gallon sump.

Now I need to figure out a reasonable return pump that has about 3 feet of head height.

 

[nath514]

Finished my 3d printed overflow box last night. Also have the sump built. I am hoping to drill the tank and get it all plumbed up this weekend.

Here are some pictures of the overflow box:

It is designed to be removable and as such is held on using magnets. For the part that goes inside the tank the magnets are siliconed into place and have a cap placed over them. The magnets I got from Home Depot.

 

[toothybugs]

You're making a mistake I did - overestimating how much flow you can have through a bulkhead without any regulation.

I'd highly recommend a 1" bulkhead and drain hose in your case, though bigger will be better. You don't have to have your box reach far out in the tank (my 1800gph one at home is only an inch in to my 75) but limiting your drain port will be extremely frustrating.

A Syncra 1 would be my suggestion. I have a 1.5 running my 15 and it's a good amount of supplemental flow but not much. I just have a 2" dia bulkhead for my outflow and it's silent. At first it may seem like a lot of flow but as the slime layers grow in your lines it will slow a bit and smooth itself out.

 

[nath514]

Thanks for the advice. I had tested the setup I was planning pretty well so I was pretty confident it would work well. I wanted a limited turnover rate since it is a small tank.

Took quite a few more hours that I was thinking. Especially the drilling I was paranoid of breaking the tank so I went really slow but in the end everything is working great.

 

[CStrickland]

Great job on the box!
I'm loving the stuff people are 3D printing for their tanks, there's so much potential there!

 

[nath514]

I agree, I have printed things for almost all my tanks ( fish and frog ) now it is great being able to design something that will fit your specific tank and use case.

 

[nath514]

So far so good, my tanks water level has been stable and my corals are looking happier. Also I have much less brown algae building up on the glass. My plan this weekend is to build a small DIY Skimmer to add a little bit more waste export.

 

[nath514]

Finished up my DIY skimmer. Bubbles are only rising about 1 inch need them to rise about 4 to make it to the collection cup. I am hoping that after a breakin period it will start working. I have a fairly low bioload so it might take a while. I will post pictures soon.

 

[nath514]

Question about the return section of the sump. The return section has been collected some scum on top of the water as there is very little disturbance to the surface in that section. Should i install a powerhead to keep the water moving or is it enough to just give it a good stir every now and then?

 

[nath514]

Ended up using an eheim surface skimmer that I remembered I had from an old freshwater tank.

http://www.amazon.com/EHEIM-Skim-350-Aquarium-Filter/dp/B00D5WHBFC

Added that to the return section of the sump and now the surface stays nice and clear.