How to build a sump for my Biocube

[toblkflys]

Looking at using a five gal aquarium...totally clueless when it comes to building a sump/fuge! Tank won't be drilled. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[tcamos]

The sump itself is different depending on your needs. I used a 20 gallon long tank for my 75 gallon, I had 2 connected in my 210 gallon. My current has one area where I keep the skimmer and can put a reactor if I need it, this is where the drain goes. It then flows into a refugium area where I have live rock and algae, then it flows through the bubble trap into the return pump area where I have the return and my auto top off system.

Using a 5 gallon tank you may just have enough room to divide it once or you may decide not to divide it. It really does depend on your needs.

Of course you will need a hang on the back overflow to get the water down there and a return line to get it back up.

I kept a 29 gallon bio cube for a number of years I used the back area in the same way one uses a sump.

 

[FLIPxSIDE]

Could always make one. That's what i do. This of course is a bad example cause it was a beat up acrylic tank with the top chopped off it converted into a sump. But it works amazing.



Here is an older one I built years back for a corner tank.

 

[toblkflys]

Nice work, thank you. I'm inclined to build one myself, I just have no clue as to how to set it up with a fuge since I'm working with such a small space as a 5 gal tank

 

[FLIPxSIDE]

What are your exact dimensions of the space that the sump will be occupying. I can help design something with you that may help. I am going to be making a stackable sump system that is a vertical system. Its pointless for me at the moment but would be neat if it actually works. Also going to be designing a Pico AIO acrylic tank soon.

 

[toblkflys]

It's an odd space: 11"W x 14"D x 18+"H. Not sure the extra height would help. I'd like space to put in my Tunze 9002 skimmer and definitely a space for a fuge..the larger the better. A filter sock on the inflow is nice but not necessary.

Do you actually build yourself? Would you be open to building it for me?

 

[FLIPxSIDE]

Yeah I do build myself. I've been out of the fish game for a while and just now got back into it. I used to make more stuff for people on azreefs before they shut down. The downside to acrylic is, it ain't cheap by any means. And I'm not big boy shop, just a dude in a garage with some saws and routers so my quality isn't showcase, yet.

 

[FLIPxSIDE]

Skimmer and return pump footprint are the only concern. Those right there will take up space. My skimmer takes up half my sump atm.