I'm getting ready to set up my 90 gallon. It has an overflow system built in it but need ideas on a DIY sump with a 20 gallon. Any ideas?
DIY Sump?
- Thread starter jerrybforl
- Start date
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Htomassini
Guest
I can help you with that. I have a used sump for a 90 gal with wetdry that I can sell you, or I can help you mod a tank to make the sump, or I can make it for you.
Look at my sump I made for my 210:
[video=youtube;h7afxEJZUOo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7afxEJZUOo[/video]
[video=youtube;GuJnMcJKYEc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuJnMcJKYEc[/video]
Regards
Henry Tomassini
Look at my sump I made for my 210:
[video=youtube;h7afxEJZUOo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7afxEJZUOo[/video]
[video=youtube;GuJnMcJKYEc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuJnMcJKYEc[/video]
Regards
Henry Tomassini
JJ,
Henry's seems to work well....there are MANY DIY plans on the web....google returns 10 zillion matches lol
I also know many of the Sterilite or Rubbermaid brand containers can easily be outfitted as a sump....they come in all sizes and colors and are pretty inexpensive....
Glad to hear the 90 is getting some movement..Hope all else is well.
Henry's seems to work well....there are MANY DIY plans on the web....google returns 10 zillion matches lol
I also know many of the Sterilite or Rubbermaid brand containers can easily be outfitted as a sump....they come in all sizes and colors and are pretty inexpensive....
Glad to hear the 90 is getting some movement..Hope all else is well.
If you already have the tank, Mattenfilter sump may be good idea.
http://markus.bigiel.de/images/filter_1.htm
http://www.akvarista.hu/?oldal=41&uid=117&album=366&htmlgal=1&pic=4891
http://markus.bigiel.de/images/filter_1.htm
http://www.akvarista.hu/?oldal=41&uid=117&album=366&htmlgal=1&pic=4891
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Htomassini
Guest
i tried the rubbermaid way but the sidwalls bulge out. The reason I did the sump was to have a section that could hold the water volume that I lost from my main tank (ie a 210 equals 169 real gals of water) therefore i made the sump hold 33 gals of water at any given moment (even with a weeks worth of evaporation)
Guys I already have the 20gallon tank. I got to thinking about what if the power goes out. Will the tank empty onto my floor? My buddy has a wetdry and was showing me his setup but he didnt know the names of the parts (plumbing) to get. Also, are there large check valves for a power head? Say the power goes out and it wants to back siphon, is there a check for that? As far as google, Gerry I looked it up and didnt find any kind of plans. So many things I need to learn about this sump business LOL. All comments and info is much needed and appreciated.
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Htomassini
Guest
thats easy. On the return hose from the pump in your sump going up to the return in your tank above you would install a "check valve". Home depot sells them but I prefer the ones that lfs sell because they are clear and you can inspect them. In addition, drill a 1/16 hole at the bottom of the elbow pvc fitting that hangs in your tank on the return, this is called a siphon break and it does exactly that. In the event that you check valve gives out or is stuck that little hole is enough to stop the water from back siphoning. The other thing to keep in mind is that you will only drain as low as your return, so if you have a spout only an inch below the water line, the water would drain only up to that point (provided you dont have a check valve and shiphon break).
Let us know what else you need to know.
Let us know what else you need to know.
Does anyone have a general plan? Pics? I've never set one up before and I'm trying to imagine what you guys are talking about. Also, my friend mentioned that there is a pvc pipe that elimnates the gurgling noise from the siphoning section in the overflow. Does anyone know that name of it? Again thanks for all the advice!
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Htomassini
Guest
Yes it's called a durso standpipe. Send a pic of your overflow please front and overhead and the sizes of the bulkheads.
I know you live s fla, I'd be happy to help you set it up when u are ready.
I still remember when I got my 90 and I had to figure everything out and make a bunch of mistakes.
We are all here to help you out
I know you live s fla, I'd be happy to help you set it up when u are ready.
I still remember when I got my 90 and I had to figure everything out and make a bunch of mistakes.
We are all here to help you out
Thanks so much Henry! I will do that very soon. As far as the size of the bulk heads I have no clue LOL
. How does one go about finding this out? Thanks for all the help!
. How does one go about finding this out? Thanks for all the help!
H
Htomassini
Guest
jerrybforl;64527 said:Thanks so much Henry! I will do that very soon. As far as the size of the bulk heads I have no clue LOL
do you have the tank at your place?
are you available on weekday mornings?
I can swing by one morning and see what you have and show you .
I googled the standpipe and found a great link on how to make one on my own! Pretty easy. Says that the pipe must be at the top rim or above. So I will have to paint it black. Any particular paint I could use to do this? I have never painted somthing for inside of the tank. I also have to do some wood work on my stand to finish it off. It is a wave front tank so not that easy to do LOL. Added stripes of 1x3 to the ends and the middle to support the tank and prevent sagging in the middle. I bought the setup used from a LFS, but the stand had wood rot on the bottom four inches. Luckily those four inches were not the bottom of the inside of the tank and I was able to trim it off to good wood and add the 1x3's. I finally, tonight, measured the whole thing and worked out all the measurements. I can go buy wood and secure it to the stand now. Will router all the panels that I will be using to give it a the curved look. I was able to save the panels that I pulled off and cut a few stripes out to make ribs for the doors. The doors will be able to open wide so I will have plenty of working space! I will keep a post of my progress on the whole thing. I'm very excited and cant wait to do all this. Henry thanks again for the offer and I'm sure I will take you up on it. Yes the tank is here in my apartment and yes I am available on Tuesday and Thursaday mornings. I'll pm you with my number.
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Htomassini
Guest
Sounds cool. Btw I can get you a ready made adjustable durso pipe for you will spend at hd for PVC pipe. And they work flawlessly. I have two of them. You prob have 1" bulkhead, right?
Last night when I was going through the measurements, the pvc pipe that was on there that I removed said 3/4 in. so I dont know. That sounds great.
JJ,
Give me a call later and I can clear up any details. Henry has done a great job with a lot less words than I would have used
Give me a call later and I can clear up any details. Henry has done a great job with a lot less words than I would have used
JJ,
Your new frieind the Internet could have helped with the paint question:
http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion_for_plastic/
Many folks have used this....get the waterproof type if some are not
Your new frieind the Internet could have helped with the paint question:
http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion_for_plastic/
Many folks have used this....get the waterproof type if some are not
Just got off the phone with Gerry and he went over some things with me. Phoned Henry as well and planned a meeting so he can take a looksie at my tank. I'm sure that the intake bull head is 1in and the outflow BH is 3/4 in. Now I just need to figure out how am I going to set up the sump. Again, pics will be very helpful. If not, then I'll have to be the trend setter and take lots of pics to post on here for others. ;-) Gerry and Henry thanks for all the help. Look forward to more guidance as I progress with this.
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Htomassini
Guest
I will see you on thursday, unless I have to cover for someone ( who just texted me that they are cough, cough not feeling well)
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Thanks Pat. Its not the glueing stuff that I don't quit understand its the other stuff. I spoke briefly with Gerry and Henry is willing to come to my place to take a look. I need to understand completely how the sump works and how to set one up. Everything on youtube or google is saltwater related. They use protein skimmers and such. Gerry gave me a good idea on the basics but I want to know the whole shabang per say.