Homemade Sump?

[tangoftanks]

Hello!

I am looking into getting a bigger tank but am thinking about creating a sump for it. I've heard a lot about sumps, but I am not sure about how to construct it.

I have a 20 gallon tank that I would like to turn into a sump but from what I've been told by the LFS, I would have to drill holes into the tank???? Why would I have to do this?

Isn't it possible to create a sump without wrecking a tank by drilling holes into it? I mean, can't I just use a canister filter for the sump and somehow have it run back into the main tank?

I'm not even sure I know what the main purpose of a sump is only that I've heard so many great things about it! If someone could give me step by step instructions, I would GREATLY appreciate it!

The size tank I would be going to would be a 45 gallon high for a smaller reef setup.

Thanks so much!

Tang of Tanks

Tangs Rule the Tank!

 

[sedorusc]

maybe they were confused as to if you were running the 20 gallon to a sump. I went to my local lowes and had several pieces of glass cut to help make the different departments in my tank. then you can use the tank cement you can find at walmart or your lfs.

 

[rooroo]

There are lots of purposes to a sump.

• increase your total water volume
• A place to place equipment so it is not in/on the display, such as a heater and skimmer
• A good place to dose additives and top off water so the topoff water has a small amount of time to mix with the rest of the tank water before entering the display
• Easy to add/run carbon

I'm sure there are many more, but a sump is a good thing to have once you have it set up right. Most people have it as a way to remove equipment from the display.

In any case, a 20 gallon would be the perfect size, and no you don't need to drill holes in it. You can use a submersible pump. You'll want to divide your sump into either 2 or 3 sections using either thick acrylic or glass. Use 100% silicon from your LFS to glue either in. I'll post the diagram of my 20 gallon sump and a photo of it completed for you.

You will want your new 45 gallon tank to be a reef ready tank, so it will have a built in overflow, standpipe and return pipe.

 

[tangoftanks]

RooRoo,

Thanks so much! However, I would have to drill a hole into my 45 gallon then?

I guess I'm confused!

Thanks!

Tang of Tanks

Tangs Rule the Tank!

 

[bderos]

How big should a sump be? For example, if I want to get a 125gal tank, how big should the sump be?

 

[sedorusc]

to be reef ready it would have to have holes drilled into it. I use an overflow on my 29 gallon. unfortunately they can take up a good corner of your tank. the holes drilled would aid in an internal overflow. you would basically have one to two holes drilled in your corner or maybe even center. then you would enclose that hole with acrylic. The acrylic would have slits cut into the top for the water to "overflow" into. then you would have the holes plumbed to your sump.