Sump suggestions

[April F]

I'm am attempting a DIY sump on my non drilled 75g bowfront syngnathid tank.

Since the tank is already set up, the largest volume I can install thru the front is a 29g tall aquarium, which I already have.

You guys know how hardware inept I am, but these don't look too hard. My main question is knowing how much flow I should look for in a return pump. I was thinking 1000gph, but feel that just may be too much. My problem comes in because I don't know how much flow I will lose due to head pressure, etc on any given pump.

Also, as always, want to keep this on a blue collar budget. I have seen pumps claiming to be for pond/aquarium use at local hardware stores and even Harbor Freight. Very inexpensive, but no idea if they will do the job. My main concern with these is noise and heat radiance. This tank is in my bedroom and must stay relatively quiet, and as cool as possible for the fishes.

Open to suggestions, or possibly the option of purchasing a used pump if someone has one they no longer use. I also need about 3 pieces of acrylic or plexi to make baffles (sump tank is 12" wide), and some sort of overflow. I understand that I need to know how much my pump will pump first, and match it to an overflow, so I'm sort of at a stopping point until I get that part handled.

 

[chaderic26]

I think 1000 gph might be a bit much imo. Since you are using a non "reef ready" tank are you using a hang on the back overflow? If that's the case I would match the pump to the overflow. If you use a underpowered pump on a hob overflow you run the risk of collecting bubbles in the u tube and having a spill due to the broken siphon.

When you buy your pump, usually theres a chart on the box that should show head loss. Or you can look it up online.

I always used a quite one pump when I had a submersible pump running my overflow. Pretty economical. If you can find a small used external pump the time saved in maintenance is worth a few more bucks imo.

Good Luck

Chad

 

[cody6766]

I love my Ocean Runner pump. it's quiet and is a lower power pump. I've been running it for over 2 years without issue.

building a sump is quite easy. Just spend some time looking at the DIY jobs posted online and you'll get the idea. Ask around in the club too. I'm sure a 6 pack or a burger could entice someone to help out. You don't have to get uber fancy with it, just a few baffles to separate the bubble buster for the drain, a skimmer area, a fuge if you can fit it (even a small one to just hold chaeto) and a return pump area will do it.

One thing you may want to consider is a bit of plumbing to ease your water change efforts. Make the return pump area large enough to hold the volume of water you normally change. Put a T on the return pipe back to the tank with a ball valve on each side of the T. Attach one end like you normally would and run it to the tank. The other end should have a hose on it so you can run it outside the stand and use it to fill a bucket. Waterchanges are now as easy as throwing a few switches and opening/closing a few valves. You just have to fill, dump in new water and cart off the old.

 

[April F]

I hadn't considered the water change option. I'll have to look into that.

I'm really thinking 1000gph may be too much on a seahorse tank too, especially since I have this wonderful UV canister filter, but didn't know what that would actually equate to with head pressure and plumbing. What I'm running on the tank now is actually more flow than I've ever had, and everything seems to be just fine with it. As long as I can make the outflow more than 1 jet stream, maybe it would be OK.

I don't have either the overflow or the pump yet, just educating myself so far.

May I ask where either of you bought your pumps?