Sump? for a 20g nano?

[Kakalakasha]

Okay, so i have a 20 gallon long tank that i am going to make into a reef sooner or later.
I also have a 10 gallon tank, would that be a suitable sump?
If so, how would i go about making it into a sump?
Alsooo,
what would be better, a sump or a hang-on refugium with protein skimmer?

[theplatypus]

Sump with skimmer. You'll need to either drill the 20 gallon or buy a siphon overflow. Personally I would drill the 20 gallon. Drilling costs less and you will never have to worry about it losing siphon. You'll need a small return pump and a skimmer. I would use a mag5(maybe a 3) for the return pump and get a super skimmer 65 or aquac remora. Toss in a modded Tunze 6025..............

[Kakalakasha]

Originally Posted by theplatypus

Sump with skimmer. You'll need to either drill the 20 gallon or buy a siphon overflow. Personally I would drill the 20 gallon. Drilling costs less and you will never have to worry about it losing siphon. You'll need a small return pump and a skimmer. I would use a mag5(maybe a 3) for the return pump and get a super skimmer 65 or aquac remora. Toss in a modded Tunze 6025..............

Dont forget, im a poor 13 year old

[tims]

i have a 10 gallon and a 10 gallon sump. yes you can do it. mine is drilled for a durso ( pipe coming out the bottom). but as said, drilling is less cost if done right.. i woudl go withthe mag 5 the mag 3 is not enough power to keep up. your return lines are simple andyou can make a PVC spray bar to cover the whole back

[Kakalakasha]

okay, im seriously considering this.
So can you try to explain what i do in depth and detail, and is easy to understand?

[theplatypus]

Originally Posted by Kakalakasha

okay, im seriously considering this.
So can you try to explain what i do in depth and detail, and is easy to understand?

Here you go.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/search.php
YOu can mow lawns this summer to pay for the tank.

[jfurg75]

i keep seeing spray bar what is that?

[Kakalakasha]

Originally Posted by theplatypus

Here you go.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/search.php
YOu can mow lawns this summer to pay for the tank.

I just got $30 for getting all A's and one B on my report card

[tredford8]

I am currently running a 10 gal sump on my 20 gal high and it is working out well. I am have it mainly as refugium but I think I'm going to phase that out in order to make room for a skimmer as I am currently skimmerless. Everything is still grwoing well without a skimmer, even my sps frags. I would also go with a mag 5 for return because I have mag 3 and it doesn't really get the job done. Drilling is easy enough, you can either buy bits for $10 or less or probably get someobdy at your LFS to do it for a small fee. Then you just have to get some glass or acrylic cut for a DIY overflow box and some baffles for the sump.

[Kakalakasha]

Originally Posted by tredford8

I am currently running a 10 gal sump on my 20 gal high and it is working out well. I am have it mainly as refugium but I think I'm going to phase that out in order to make room for a skimmer as I am currently skimmerless. Everything is still grwoing well without a skimmer, even my sps frags. I would also go with a mag 5 for return because I have mag 3 and it doesn't really get the job done. Drilling is easy enough, you can either buy bits for $10 or less or probably get someobdy at your LFS to do it for a small fee. Then you just have to get some glass or acrylic cut for a DIY overflow box and some baffles for the sump.

okay, since you did the same thing im doing, a 20gallon with 10gallon sump.
Would you mind explaining it with detail, from step one to step finish?

[tredford8]

1. bought tanks
2. got my LFS manager to drill the 20 gallon
3. cracked 20 gallon when plumbing
4. bought another 20 gal and got it drilled - probably want one for at least a 1" bulkhead
5. bought bulkhead and installed - again, probably could go with 1" depending on pump you get to handle flow
6. got glass cut and built overflow box - i got mine cut so that they would run from the bottom of the tank up to where I wanted the water but in hindsight, I probably could have got shorter glass and got an extra piece for the bottom of the box so its more of just a square on the back glass rather than a column (I'm not really sure that is the best explanation but take a look at mkreefer's nano buildoof tank to see what I mean). Just silicone pieces together and onto back glass.
7. got glass cut for baffles in sump and siliconed in - check out some sumps to see how they have their baffles and I think I have a pic of mine in my photo gallery. Typically three pieces of glass, one in middle is higher than other two, and last one that flow goes over controls height going through.
I'll continue in next post to break up the reading.

[tredford8]

8. put sump in stand and display on top
9. plumb from bulkhead down to sump - PVC and PVC cement is really quite easy to use.
10. get return pump and plumb that to tank - I just used rubber tubing for return line but PVCV would have worked much better and I am going to switch soon.
11. do the rest of your setup (I think you know most of the rest so I'm not going to bore you e.g. lights skimmer etc.)

Again, I would probably suggest a skimmer if you have the money but I know from experience that they cost quite a bit and I am always tryin to save money too so it is possible to do without skimmer. However, I probably have like 50 lbs. of rock between my display and sump so I think that helps in absence of a skimmer. These are all just my opinions and by all means may not work for you but feel free to ask any more questions.