sump help

Ricky92

New member
im building a sump for my 55 gal tank. the sump i have is a 30 gal long tank i plan on having three sections, first section will house protein skimmer ( a coralife super skimmer 65 or if i can afford it a octopus nw-150 skimmer) second and largest section will be a refugium with live rock and cheato algea, and the third section will hold the return a rio 1700 pump. but my big problem is how do i bring water into the sump from the main tank? i dont want to drill(dont have the right bit and tank is already set up) a hang on back overflow box will be my last resort but they are kind of expensive. so doese anyone have a good idea as to what to do?
dont worry about power outages, my stepdad came up with a really great idea of using a sprinkler vavle (dont know the real name), it stays open as long as power is going to it when power is out it automatically shuts and should hold a siphon as well.
 
i like it but its kind of expensive which im kinda avoiding, any diy thing at all?

fig thaks if i had the money that no problem.
 
Yeah, you can build it yourself but by the time you figure in the trial and error factor you can easily go past the $100 mark in supplies. I have made my own with ok success but the ones that I bought worked so much better.
 
You could DIY one just like that, but that type of design is really your best option, whether you buy one or make one. Aside from drilling of course. You can't really rely on just a valve to maintain a siphon or prevent over siphon. Even outside of a power outage which would just end up being a disaster at some point, you'll be constantly battling slight variations in flow rates due to crap growing in the tubes or stuff getting stuck in them. Spend a little extra to do it right now, you won't be disappointed. Hold off on stocking the tank until you have a little more cash on hand. That way you can delay the protein skimmer too, and still get the one you really want. With a lightly stocked tank you should be able to maintain good water quality with regular water changes for quite a while.
 
yeah.... i already started i have some live rock and two strioe damsels two dusky damsels and two yellow tail damsels, it wasnt until after i started did i realize there was more to salt water than live rock and fish...... now i see the coral and the expenses
 
HOB overflow box Is what I know a few people have no drilling and the siphon stops when the pump is off and starts back after the return pump is on.
 
hope this will help you a lilbit bro good luck pm me with any question you got ok bro more than gladly iwill help u wit it ok

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