Looking for some plumbing and planning help!

[squibley2]

I just bought a CPR 900 from one of the guys on here it is missing the top and stuff but that is fine cause I want to use it as a sump not as a wet dry. My calculations say it should be about 15G which should be plenty for my 55G tank. Now here is the rub, I have never plumbed a tank before all my tanks have always just had HOB equipment. So I am looking for some advice on how to set up the sump and how to plumb it. I have a Aqua C Remora Pro HOB that should be able to hang on the sump and a ebo jager heater I want to put in the sump. I am trying to figure out if I still want to run my penguin 300 on the side of the sump or just eliminate that from the system. I don't use it as a filter just as a media holder for phosphate sponge and stuff like that. I obviously will also be looking for a return pump and a couple other pieces to make this all work. So anyone with advice or suggestions of pieces I will need for sale let me know.

Kevin

 

[mnestroy]

 

[badazztealcobra]

I was wondering all the same stuff.... Does anyone know of a book that focuses on custom tank building or anything like that ?!?!? After buying my 29G biocube I really want to make my next tank and wanted to make it myself with a closed loop setup, under tank sump/refugium, etc....

 

[Kmiec123]

Me too!!! I was looking to Pipe a breeding system togeter and looking for insite for types of pumps and filters and andbody with used stuff.
Here's the Idea:

Sorry to jump in, but thanks...Carl

 

[squibley2]

Ok I have 2 hijackers and no advice not good so far.

 

[squibley2]

Kmiec123 please start your own post!!!!!!!!!!!! This one is not you're thread!!!!

 

[badazztealcobra]

WHOA. :eek2:

I've been doing alot of reading on it lately, and it seems fairly easy to get setup.... the middle chamber where the water stays the same level seems to be where everyone is putting their skimmers, the last chamber is for the return pump (obviously.. ) And that chamber is also where I am seeing the most people put their heaters... The first chamber is the intake from the tank, and 90% of the peoples sumps ive seen are using a filter sock on the end of the hose/pipe coming from the tank. In the middle is a few baffles which i assume is for suppression of the bubbles from the dropping of water into the sump.

Are you planning on doing a fuge in the sump squibley ?!?!?

 

[mnestroy]

I sent you a PM saying I had done something like your asking, also I posted a few pics to give you an idea.. what exactly are your questions?

You'd first have to see if theres a place to physically hang the Remora in your prebuilt sump... you might be better off just making your own out of a 20L or whatever size you can fit... this way u'll have more space and can put a fuge in...

 

[mnestroy]

Badazztealcobra: thats pretty much it, there are other differences that some people have done, some have put the return section in the middle.... I went the above way because my biggest concern was to reduce bubbles... my remora being a hang on made tons of bubbles... 1. cause of the type of skimmer it is, 2. it hangs on the lip so the water drops a few inches...

So i put the baffles, and then the fuge area... usally by the time the water makes it to the return pump all the bubbles are gone...

One thing I learned is you dont want insane amounts of flow through your sump... dont get to big pof a return pump... u'll end up getting microbubbles

And the filter sock helps two ways, it helps break up some of the micro bubbles from the overflow drain, and it catches tons of junk.. so u clean it often.

 

[squibley2]

I am thinking of just a simple design of an overflow box (still need to find one or make one) with 1 1/2 - 2" PVC into the one side of the sump and the skimmer hanging on the side. The sump is the same height as the min for the skimmer so this should work just like your pic mnestroy. I was not planning on having a refug in the sump due to lack of size and since I already bought it I don't really feel like tossing it for something else. Probibly should have considered that first. What kind of flow rate would you all recomend? And how big of a return pump will I need?

 

[Kmiec123]

Wow...I do have my own post. You asked for Piping advice, and I was just letting you know I am in the middle of planning a project myself. I do not have any info on particular brands/sizes/types of pumps and such, for I am currently researching this as well. Sorry if I offended you. I have done plumbing for over 10 years in the past and will be more than happy to help in that way if needed. Sorry I don't have the experience to help with your detail....And once again I apologize for butting in.

 

[squibley2]

I am sorry kmiec123 I just had a really bad day and mistook your post. I am sorry for my response.

 

[Fuppets]

This may help it explains how a sump works.

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

 

[mnestroy]

My understanding is you dont want a huge amount of flow going through your sump... I think i've been told 5x's the turn over...

Some people like to try to utilize their return pump to replace powerheads in their tank, but I think this ends up causing more issues.. such as bubbles... It realy depends on how much you wana spend and what quality pump you want, if you go with an Eheim those are top rated... I went with the Eheim 1250 and it worked out well

 

[badazztealcobra]

I have heard the same things... If you want to move more water through the tank, you should use a closed loop system seperate from the sump loop.... I will be doing a sump/refugium myself... I actually found some awesome ones, but am sure they will cost a fortune... :eek2:

 

[Kmiec123]

No hard feelings, Happens all the time when I "PWI"...Post while Intoxicated Great info so far...Thanks to all!

 

[mnestroy]

What size sump are you looking for? Making your own out of a fish tank is pretty cheap, the tank is most expensive part..