My first DIY "ghetto" Sump.

[Webmanny]

As some of you know my tank stand sucks, as it is split down the middle making it near impossible to install a sump. Therefore, it was time for a little DIY project.

This will be a three section sump.

Parts used:
4 1/2 gallon rectangle bucket
1/8" Acrylic from Home Depot
Silicone

These are the pics of the measuring using cardboard. Was making sure that the Skimmer fitted fine.

Silicone applied and waiting for it to harden

 

[Reefpilot11]

Thats actually a pretty cool setup you rigged together lol

 

[rogergolf66]

When u fill it with water won't the pressure pop it since the sides of that bucket r flexable?

 

[SuperDodge]

When u fill it with water won't the pressure pop it since the sides of that bucket r flexable?

Yep

 

[rfalvey89]

just get a bungee cord or a winch strap....put the "G" in Ghetto, you can do it!

 

[Jpugh73]

If you left the cardboard in then it would be "Ghetto" jk nice little sump

 

[Webmanny]

Thank you for your feedback guys. I hope once I put water in it does not blow up. I'll be testing after the silicone cures and will give you an update.

 

[hoohoohdillyo]

Thank you for your feedback guys. I hope once I put water in it does not blow up. I'll be testing after the silicone cures and will give you an update.

If you want to avoid finding out you can just buy a second bucket, cut the top 3" of it off, then glue it on with some of the silicone or use plastic super glue sold at home depot (the applicator is the main purchase here, the glue included works exactly the same as normal super glue). If you decide to go with the glue grab some extra gel super glue because you will need more than 1 tube for that large of a surface.

Hope it works out!

 

[rogergolf66]

How many gallons is that tub?

 

[hoohoohdillyo]

I have that same skimmer and I tell you it pulls some serious poop! Good buy on that.
A few things to note on with the design...

What is the height of the water level where the skimmer sits? 7 inches of water is the best that I found with mine, so try to stay close to that if you can.

Also do you have it designed so the water level won't fluctuate where the skimmer is? You want it to stay the exact same level so the skimmer can do it's job correctly all the time.

 

[hoohoohdillyo]

How many gallons is that tub?

He noted it being a 4 1/2 gallon bucket, so he might be using only 2.5-3 of it tops.

 

[Webmanny]

I have that same skimmer and I tell you it pulls some serious poop! Good buy on that.
A few things to note on with the design...

What is the height of the water level where the skimmer sits? 7 inches of water is the best that I found with mine, so try to stay close to that if you can.

Also do you have it designed so the water level won't fluctuate where the skimmer is? You want it to stay the exact same level so the skimmer can do it's job correctly all the time.

That is exactly what I read on it and designed the divisions to be right at 7". I think it should be stable at that height.

 

[Webmanny]

He noted it being a 4 1/2 gallon bucket, so he might be using only 2.5-3 of it tops.

100% right. The tub is 4.5 gl. At 7.5" on the first chamber and 7" on the second one, I should be always using about 2.5 to 3 gl.

The next step is going to be a DIY overflow. Probably another "ghetto" build.

I liked a PVC design I saw on YouTube. This is the video.

http://youtu.be/65yVr7DiDls

 

[snake1]

Is the silicone sticking to the acrylic ?

 

[Webmanny]

Is the silicone sticking to the acrylic ?

That is what I'm seeing so far. However, I did use super glue prior to using the Silicone.

 

[Webmanny]

Water testing took place today and things worked great. Filled it up to the brim to make sure the silicone could hold the pressure and it worked great.

Now to build the skimmer out of PVC pipes.