external pump and rubbermaid sump

[Im Lon 2]

How does everyone have there external pump hooked up with their Rubbermaid sump? Do you have it drilled into the sump or does the pump sit above the sump with a pipe running into the sump?

 

[Letmegrow]

Most people drill the sump and the order goes like this:

Sump - Bulkhead - pipe - Compression fitting - pipe - Shutoff Valve - Pipe -Pump - pipe - Compression fitting - pipe - Shutoff Valve - Return line.

You need to make the pump very close to the sump and also give it a large Diameter pipe to feed the pump or it will cause cavitation. The compression and shut offs are great for doing pump maintenance or for emergencies.

 

[DrBDC]

Right now I'm doing the up and over although I'm sure it decreases pump strength and efficiency.

 

[Im Lon 2]

So use compression fittings instead of unions.
Pump will be a Reeflo - Hammerhead
Pipe will be 1.5" in and out.

Ok if I drill the sump. What is the best way to keep things from getting sucked up in the pump, if I were to put stuff in the sump? With this being a RubberMaid I cannot think of a way to but baffles in it that will work?

I would love to go with a Supper squirt (oceansMotions) But I think I'm going to wait a little while for that Have enough money going out right now trying to start the new tank.

 

[Im Lon 2]

The other part about drilling the sump is right now it is holding all my rock, so all that has to be emptied

How low would you drill the sump? If I put it to high it would suck air and put micro bubbles back to the tank. Or I could even put a piece of Spa flex on the in side in a bucket that would keep the pump from sucking things up too. Since the SPA flex always has that slight curve to it anyways that might work good.. What do you think?

 

[DrBDC]

Make it fun. Drill it full and be ready to stick your hand over the gushing water!

 

[latazyo]

if its a rubbermade sump, shouldnt you have some sort of spacer so that its thicker....wouldnt that be easier for the bulkhead to seal?

 

[JxMetal]

ah, should've got a reef ready rubbermaid.........they sell those right? :lol:

 

[vishboy]

Have you seen this?
http://www.barraquatic.com/diy-underwaterbulkhead.php
Don't know if it works 100% of the time, but it looks like it should.

 

[kentrob11]

I used a 2" uniseal on mine and it's worked perfectly with no leaks. I modified a 2" union the same way I do on my skimmers and mounted it for easy removal....

 

[Letmegrow]

Yeah do that. :lol:

 

[Im Lon 2]

Do you have that tied into this some how?

 

[kentrob11]

Yeah- You really oughta just come over sometime and check it out....

 

[Im Lon 2]

Yeah that is what I was thinking too.

 

[Im Lon 2]

Do you have it up and running already?

 

[kentrob11]

Yeah

 

[Im Lon 2]

One of the things I want to do this time is put all my Unions, ball valves and Bulkheads with Threaded ends. I have so many unions, and Shut off's that I can no longer use because the way I glued them in the past.

 

[Im Lon 2]

Kent what Bulkheads do you use?

or

 

[kentrob11]

I used uniseals....

 

[Im Lon 2]

What about on the tank?

Where can I find the uniseals? Are they cheapper than the Bulkheads?