ok so i have been doin a ton of research on starting up my 50 gallon to salt water, i dont think ive seen one person on here operating a system without a sump. my tank is drilled for one and everything, but i dont have the pump, and im pretty sure the piping has to be redone. Also i have very limited funds.. lol. Would a 50 gallon fowlr be ok? there will be live sand, i haev a redsea prizm skimmer rated for 100, 2 aqua clear 200s, another hob filter rated up to 70 gallons. i know i should go for the sump but at this point i cant afford it, and will most likely add it in a couple of months.
sump??
- Thread starter ericbye
- Start date
Set it up with what you got, get it rolling add the sump later when you get the $$$$ Just keep those power filters cleaned out Once a week minimum. A sump is a very nice thing to have when you are adding buffer and such. You dont have to add right to the tank. Also you can hide gear in it. best of luck. My son has a 46 w/o a sump. No problems other than what I mentioned.
tkeracer619
New member
A sump adds water volume to the system and gives you a place to put all of your stuff so as not to clutter the top of the tank. You dont have to have a sump but I would reccomend it for a display.
Since you are on a budget you might consider this. Go ahead and get the tank and plumbing done for the sump.
All you need is a container to hold water. Like say a small storage tote at hd or lowes and the pvc, all for around 10 - 20 bucks. Just cap off the pvc so it doesnt let water out. When you get the money for the pump all you have to do is put the pump in because you have already done the plumbing.
Moving tanks and setting up new things on them can be very difficult once they are set up. You might even consider a cheep used rio or something like that till you can afford a nice pump.
Since you are on a budget you might consider this. Go ahead and get the tank and plumbing done for the sump.
All you need is a container to hold water. Like say a small storage tote at hd or lowes and the pvc, all for around 10 - 20 bucks. Just cap off the pvc so it doesnt let water out. When you get the money for the pump all you have to do is put the pump in because you have already done the plumbing.
Moving tanks and setting up new things on them can be very difficult once they are set up. You might even consider a cheep used rio or something like that till you can afford a nice pump.
ok so my setup did come with a pump, a penguin, but it looks like it has blown up, there is some bulging and it wont fit where i think it is suposed to attach. What does a pump run money wise? Edit: I just went and checked otu the plumbing that came with, its messed. There is nothing to hook up to the hole in the corner where the overflow is.. unless the sump should go right there and the water pours itself in. and its just return plumbing.. i bought this off some sketchy ppl..
if your tank is drilled and you need a pump here is what I use on my 55 Gallon tank:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=DN1127
if you get some hose from home depot and an 18 gallon rubermaid tub you could have a sump and pump for less than $100.00
18 gallon rubermade tub @ target costs about $6.00
water tubing -- "spa Hose" from home depot is about $10-20
depending on what size you buy.
mag 9.5 69.95 plus shipping.
you can replace the rubermaid tub with a nice sump tank later...
or if you can find the right place to put it just modify the lid to have holes for the water lines....
EDIT: sorry I just read a bit more, you may need some other parts:
bulk head fittings like this:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=FT1113
possibly some return fittings like:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=FT0001
and possibly a "stand pipe" like this:
http://www.dursostandpipes.com/
note that most of this is just PVC pipe you can buy at any hardware store and make up to suit .... hack saw and a drill can help ....
look at photos here of folks setups.
the "return line" is generaly a pipe from the pump that ends with some kind of adjustable nozzle to put water back into the tank.
the "overflow" is just a large pipe that allows water to fall to the sump. works my gravity to move the water.
if you have a tank made by "All Glass" you can buy a kit with the parts for your tank.
http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/index.html
if it's some other tank you may or may not be able to use that kit.
hope this helps you start to figure out the plumbing.
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=DN1127
if you get some hose from home depot and an 18 gallon rubermaid tub you could have a sump and pump for less than $100.00
18 gallon rubermade tub @ target costs about $6.00
water tubing -- "spa Hose" from home depot is about $10-20
depending on what size you buy.
mag 9.5 69.95 plus shipping.
you can replace the rubermaid tub with a nice sump tank later...
or if you can find the right place to put it just modify the lid to have holes for the water lines....
EDIT: sorry I just read a bit more, you may need some other parts:
bulk head fittings like this:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=FT1113
possibly some return fittings like:
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=FT0001
and possibly a "stand pipe" like this:
http://www.dursostandpipes.com/
note that most of this is just PVC pipe you can buy at any hardware store and make up to suit .... hack saw and a drill can help ....
look at photos here of folks setups.
the "return line" is generaly a pipe from the pump that ends with some kind of adjustable nozzle to put water back into the tank.
the "overflow" is just a large pipe that allows water to fall to the sump. works my gravity to move the water.
if you have a tank made by "All Glass" you can buy a kit with the parts for your tank.
http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/index.html
if it's some other tank you may or may not be able to use that kit.
hope this helps you start to figure out the plumbing.
Last edited:
burning2nd
In Memoriam
IMO, if you dont have the money to do it right the first time (once) dont do it, your gonna end up spending money on 2 things insted of 1
Have you got a camera? You can post pix of what you're doing, or pieces you've got a question about.
Basically, the pump goes in the sump, the downward pipe runs down to the sump/basin/bucket where the pump sits, and the pump sends it back up the hose to the outflow plumbing. I use a 9.5 mag pump for my 52, and it has no trouble carrying water up to the display with force enough. Setting the water level is a matter of letting your overflow drain into the sump and being sure you have enough freeboard in the sump to avoid a flood on your carpet. A handful of fittings and a suitable plastic bucket (there are safe and unsafe plastics: don't get anything that's germicided!{ and you're set. You put your heater and your skimmer (when you get one) into your sump, and do all your dosing down there.
Basically, the pump goes in the sump, the downward pipe runs down to the sump/basin/bucket where the pump sits, and the pump sends it back up the hose to the outflow plumbing. I use a 9.5 mag pump for my 52, and it has no trouble carrying water up to the display with force enough. Setting the water level is a matter of letting your overflow drain into the sump and being sure you have enough freeboard in the sump to avoid a flood on your carpet. A handful of fittings and a suitable plastic bucket (there are safe and unsafe plastics: don't get anything that's germicided!{ and you're set. You put your heater and your skimmer (when you get one) into your sump, and do all your dosing down there.
alrite so i figured itout!! All i need is the pump, some sort of attatchment for the piping, a tub or small tank (how do i know what plastic not to use?) and i think another pipe that runs from the bottom of the tank into the sump. oh and if i have the tank in the same room as a tv could the sound mess with the fish?
keithntracy
New member
my foxface loves family guy!!
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