Homemade Sumps

[Fishboy9227]

I have a twenty gallon reef tank in the making......

How would I go about making a good homemade sump that is cheap but effective? Any ideas???

 

[Aquarist007]

try this site for great ideas

www.melevsreef.com

and these threads

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1317806&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443

 

[Fishboy9227]

Would it work for me to just use like a plastic container instead of actually building one. Using an external overflow box to go to the container and then using a pump to bring the water back up?

 

[MinnFish]

Yes, but a tank will last you alot longer.

 

[Fishboy9227]

so like a 15 gallon tank. maybe putting plexi glass inside to make different chambers?

 

[MinnFish]

Yes sir, that will work (10 gallon maybe). I used cut glass for the baffles.

 

[Fishboy9227]

and what do you suggest i put in the baffles?

 

[MinnFish]

Baffles are the dividers (glass, plexi-glass) to separate the chambers or sections. Did you take a look at the links giving by Capn..?

 

[Fishboy9227]

yeah.....i meant what should i put in the sections or chambers.....your suggestions?

 

[MinnFish]

Well, in my sump. The first chamber drain from DT, protein skimmer and phosban reactor. Second chamber heater and cheato. Third chamber return pump. Keep in mind, i have a 20L.

 

[Fishboy9227]

im not planning on doing the protein skimmer and phosban reactor. What is a phosban reactor?. I was thinking of just doing like two chamber, maybe three. Like one cheato and heater, two carbon sock and the the third be the return chamber.

 

[MinnFish]

Phosban reactor is a chemical filter media to control algae. It looks similar to a skimmer. Here is a link to one http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Pic/article.cfm?aid=926

 

[Fishboy9227]

Thanks, you have been a lot of help!!

 

[MinnFish]

Not a problem. Glad i could help. Its late in my parts. Have a great nite.

 

[Tswifty]

Here's a good link.

In my opinion anything smaller than a 20g long is kind of iffy.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1417422

 

[alpha0r]

Places that sell glass will cut it for you so go to the store with exact mesurments and you won't need to worry about cuting the baffles yourself. If you go with glass, try to get 1/4 inch rather than the thiner 1/8 windowpane glass. The thin stuff breaks/cracks fairly easily and broken glass in your sump is no fun. You can buy aquarium safe silicon at Home Depot or pick up "silicon I" both are perfectly safe for marine tanks. You could also consider using pressure locking baffles which allow you to change the configuration whenever you want.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i1/Baffles/baffles.htm

BTW, I would rethink skipping the skimmer. They really help maintain water quality especially for people new to the hobby.