setting up a sump?

[ghuffer]

I have a 29 gal. That is not drilled and I want to add a sump. problem is that I don't really know exactly how to go about it.

My major concern is my skimmer produces lots of micro bubbles and I would like to add chaeto eventually. Now I will tell you all what I know or think I know.

The plan is to get an overflow box to export the water to the tank below. I would then need a pump to return the water to the tank. I will be putting my heaters and skimmer in the sump.
So Am I correct that if I attach the overflow box to my tank and let the overflow fill my sump and when it is half full start the pump and then add water to my sump directly to get it to the level I want will that work. Now I get confused how do I keep the overflow from over flowing my sump? Anyone maybe explain and give my an idea of exaclty how to do this without drilling the tank. Thanks so much for helping me on my journey.

 

[t11t5]

I had this set up on a 37g tank with no problems. It is a 20 gallon high all-glass aquarium.

[/IMG]

There are many different overflows you can buy. I used the U-tube style. Web Aquatics has the brand and style I used. I had a 150g and a 37g running on these for 3 years with no problems. Here is a link I started about sumps if your interested-->SUMP . Good luck with your build and any questions you have I can help.

 

[PeterChefalo]

Your overflow will be designed so that it will not drain the tank beyond a certain point, so when the power is off, it will keep filling your sump to a point, but then stop overflowing. Therefore you need to keep enough volume in your sump free to accept this volume of water. Your return pump is going to push a certain amount of water above the static line of the display tank to create the overflow into your sump. Think of this as a layer of water above the static water level of the tank that is "falling" into your sump through the overflow. This depends on the capacity of the return pump. Design the sump so that there is enough free volume in it to accept this volume of water. Initially when you fill the sump partially and turn on the return pump, you will see the water level fall substantially as that layer of falling water increases to a stable level. You need to think about how powerful you need that pump to be, it cannot exceed the capacity of the overflow, and how big a layer of falling water that you can manage, but you want to move as much water as possible. You may need to keep adding water to the sump initially to keep it from running dry but then it will stabilize at the weight of water the pump is able to push above the static level. Then turn off the pump. If it is about to overflow the sump you need to do one of two things. Increase the size of the sump, or dial down the pump with a valve to decrease that layer of falling water to within the capacity of the sump.

 

[Burgman]

Hi,

The water level in your main tank can only lower(go into your sump) to the point where it flows into the overflow box edge, it will not go any lower. If you are using an overflow box they can be adjusted up & down a little to adjust the water level in your main tank. If you have a built in overflow I think they are pretty much set. Some people drill approx. a 1/8 -3/16' hole in the return plumbing just below the water line where the plumbing goes back into the tank. This will break the siphon at the point of the drilled hole. It's kind of a trial & error method but needs to be perfected so you don't overflow your sump. Hope this helps..........

Dave