plumbing question

[planejane]

I see that most sump/fuges are usually in the cabinet under the display tank. Is there any problem , like with the plumbing, with setting one up beside the tank?

 

[ct_vol]

You can make it as simple or as complicated as you want... Some people that are uncomfortable with PVC just use flex hose for their drain and return... But PVC really isn't that hard to work with... It also gives you the options of ball valves and gate valves to help regulate flow, as well as T ing off returns to multiple directions... Just make sure you use unions on anything you will want to disconnect in the future...

If you give us more of an idea of what you had in mind, I might be able to help you further...

 

[macclellan]

Just can't leave well enough alone, can you dear?

 

[ct_vol]

Totally misunderstood your question with my first answer... The reason people don't have them set beside the tank is because they use overflows and returns in order to account for the water exchange between the sump and display...

I thought you were looking to set up another tank with an overflow and were anxious about having to plumb it...

 

[planejane]

Thanks Randy, not that I have any idea of what you just "said"...
What I'm trying to say is , is it possible to do it . I know I'd have to have an overflow and return pump, but can it go "sideways" instead of up and down?

I'd like to put my new skimmer in a sump and possibly have a fuge too, but the space under my cabinet would only allow for a 10 gallon tank, unless I were to have one custom made,. I'm thinking a 10 gallon wouldn't be worth it.

I would prefer it up beside the tank because it would be easier to access.

 

[Weetabix]

It's funny you would ask this, cause I am setting up this exact thing right now.
Go to my new tank thread on that "other" forum to see what I'm talking about.

 

[macclellan]

I've been reading about different sump options too. Heck, I saw this weekend that Eddie has the plumbing from the tanks in his man-cave run through the wall, along the outside the house, and into the garage - and then back again. Remember that elbows = ^ friction = reduced flow though. Are you thinking of doing something like this?

 

[planejane]

Joel, yes, something like that except I'd want the sump on top of the stand.

 

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15192038#post15192038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by planejane
Joel, yes, something like that except I'd want the sump on top of the stand.

That might be a problem in that you are depending on gravity to take the water from your tank to your sump.

 

[planejane]

Is there a " rule of thumb" as to how much lower than the tank it would have to be. I imagine the size of the overflow box and drain pipes would determine the out flow rate???

 

[GPhiAce]

i don't know of a good rule of thumb, but I guess the great Randini will chime back in. I think that the higher it is up the less the flow will be to the sump, and then at a certain point, gravity will not pull the water to the sump. if you want it at the same level, then it would be more of a connected dual tank system and you will have to use a pump.

I take it that you are trying to be able to see the inhabitants of you sump??? Or is it a room issue?

 

[planejane]

Paul---- I thought it might be nice to set it up as a sump and diplay fuge. I would like it up off the floor on a stand to make life easier for me, save having to stoop over or kneel down when doing maintenence. This ol' gal ain't what she used to be.

Is any of this making any sense to amy one? I confess I am presently under the influence of some pretty good stuff. Had surgery Fri. ..aahhh making life better through pharmaceuticals!

 

[ct_vol]

Janie~ I hope you have a speedy recovery...

It really depends on how you want to set up the sump, aquarium, and transfer between the two... There are many different ways to set up a sump with a nano...

You do not have to have the sump on the ground, only below the water line of your overflow... This way gravity can draw the water from the overflow to the sump... Another concept I have thought about using for my nano, is having the sump above the display... This uses the same concept, except in reverse...

I have seen people use peristaltic pumps for side by side application of their sump and display... This is an option, however, I'm not too certain you can get enough turnover for it to be worthwhile...

If you can think back far enough, try and remember how Matt had his fish set up with the Aquatic Critter at the MTRC swap... He had a bunch of tanks with only about a 1/2" difference in height... The overflow tubes would draw from one aquarium to the next and then at the bottom he had a return set to the first/highest tank...

 

[macclellan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15192691#post15192691 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ct_vol
Another concept I have thought about using for my nano, is having the sump above the display... This uses the same concept, except in reverse...

Wouldn't that result in an unacceptably low waterline in your display to account for the drain-down-until-siphon-break in a power outage? If there's a workaround for that, let me know, it's a cool idea!

 

[EvilMel]

McLovin' is cracking me up lately.

Janie, you ought to look at having someone in the club make an acrylic box for you that would fit inside the sump. I mean, if you wanted someone to see it, you could just leave the door open.

If you've got a protein skimmer that's worth a darn, you'd probably want it underneath anyway because it will get stinky (won't it???).

I don't have room for a fuge/sump under mine because my chiller is under there. I'm wondering if I should just put the dang thing outside for better heat exchange. I just don't have room anywhere besides inside the stand.

 

[Wildman]

Why don't you put a 10 gal under the cabinet and set up a second tank beside the first. Overflow both into the 10 gal with separate returns.