Sump How To Question

[cmheiple]

I'm new to the hobby and was wondering if anyone has the best (preferrably cheapest) method of setting one up. I have a 55 gal tank and have either a 46 gal, 10 gal, or 5 gal tank to use as a sump. The 46 gal is a brand new bowfront that I got from work for free due to the crack in the back from shipping. I could seal it, but am a little leery of doing so. So if anyone has some great ideas, let me know.

Most appreciated.

 

[musty baby]

What will you be using it for? Strict sump, or as a refugium too? Do you need to see inside of it? The ten gallon might have room depending on what you need it for but I would maybe ask if anyone has a slightly larger tank for cheap. Other optio nwould be a rubbermaid container. I assume you have room underneath for a larger sump? Cheapest way would be to find a used external overflow and a used return pump, but size of the return pump would depend on what you're using the sump for.

 

[cmheiple]

I'd probably just use it as a straight sump. The tank right now is on a typical wal-mart stand, so getting a rubbermaid in there might be easier than a tank right now anyways. Could you give some rough estimates for the overflow and a return pump?

 

[lllosingit]

Just an Idea for you, Instead of just sealing the crack on the 46 why not glue(silicone) a piece of glass to it, this will make it much stronger and almost guarantee it's not going to leak.
The larger the sump the better, More water volume means changes in temp and water chemistry tend to happen slower.

 

[einsteins]

Hi

Do some reading here you will find a lot of great info on sumps...their function and even some nice design ideas.

GL

ein

 

[got2lb]

If you just want to use it as a straight sump a rubbermaid container would be a pretty easy way to go.

As for overflows I would look at getting a type with the U-tubes in them. Something similar to this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Overflow-Box-Pr...DVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150072075408


If you get a cpr overflow make sure you get the aqualifter pump to help pull the air out of it. Here's a cpr one: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CPR-CS90-DX...DVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280060165410

You really only need about 600gph through the sump. So I wouldn't get one much bigger than that.

As for return pumps, everyone has dif. opinions on which ones are the best. But look for one that pushes around 900 gph so by the time you get all your plumbing in (after head loss) you'll be pushing the 600gph your overflow can handle. Still put a ball valve on the return line so you can tweak it little bit if you need to. Mag drive 950, Ocean runner 3500, Quiet One 4000, or an eheim 1262. The eheim is probably the best one but will also cost about twice as much as the others.

What kind of skimmer will you be running?