Sump questions !

grazzit · 03-12-2003, 01:40 PM

Alright after doing alot of reading I've decided adding a sump is a fairly cheap way to increase the stability and overall health of my setup, but I'm not a plumber and I have no idea exactly what I'll need to do this. The thing is I've got an undrilled 55 gallon tank as my display aquarium so the sump can't be fed by a gravity fed overflow, at least I don't think it can =P. So what kinda pumps and what not would be used to pump the water down to the sump (which will be mounted under the main tank) and back up? I've read tons of the threads dealing with sumps but none of them that I've read seem to address what the actual hardware is that I'd need to set this up.

Another thing I have a question about is why do all the sumps I see have a baffle type arrangement at the entrance and exit? I think it's probably just so you can use the sump as a refugium but I'm not sure and it's always better to ask then to guess =)

Thanks again!

icebear · 03-12-2003, 01:55 PM

for the water to exit the main tank without having to drill it....if thats what you are asking....

its called an overflow box... http://www.marinedepot.com/a_of.asp?CartId=
(see if it links)

and just get a submersible pump to put the water back up into the display

Geoff · 03-12-2003, 01:58 PM

the baffles in the sump are to keep any extra bubbles from getting into your display aquarium. they can also be used to hold some kind of filter media for short periods of time. sponge-to trap detritus when cleaning the tank. carbon-to remove unwanted chemicals.

G~

grazzit · 03-12-2003, 02:08 PM

I love you guys! thanks alot!

aquaticsdeptleader · 03-12-2003, 02:10 PM

un the same lines if the overflow box syphon is cut off say from power outage will it have to be for a lack of a better word reprimed or will it get going again on its own. if it doesnt are ther pumps sold with a kill switch or do you need to install something so it wont comeback on in the event of a power outage

jim