Thoughts on my DIY sump plans

fishwater · 02-09-2008, 08:30 PM

I am going to be upgrading to a 40 breeder. I plan on having a 30 gallon sump. I believe the measurments are 36 1/4 x 12 5/8 x 16 3/4. I plan on making the sump my self using acrylic and an old 30 gallon tank. Let me know what ya'll think. I'm not sure whether I need the first chamber with the live rock rubble, or if I should have the first chamber for the skimmer, then refugium, then return. I plan on having an ATO in the chamber with the retun pump. Any ideas of how high my baffles shoulds be? Please let me know if anything needs to be added or done differently. Also, if anyone has any advice to make the build easier.
Thanks for looking.

jph · 02-09-2008, 08:43 PM

i would make the area with your return pump WAY bigger.
if your ATO ever fails, or you run out of water, your pump will run dry or suck in air.

J.

benzzz · 02-09-2008, 08:47 PM

I was told using glass on glass works better than acrylic in glass. Acrylic and silicone dont work good together..
Correct me if I am wrong?

benzzz · 02-09-2008, 08:47 PM

And why not put the LR in the refug?

fishwater · 02-09-2008, 08:56 PM

Thanks for the suggestion for the return. I haven't come up with final dimensions yet, but that makes since for it to be bigger. I will have live rock in the refugium. I just liked the idea of having the water running over live rock rubble on its way in. Will this make any difference in terms of filtration quality?
Thanks

benzzz · 02-09-2008, 09:01 PM

Wont hurt I guess. I am putting together a 40g breeder sump and in my thread is a pic of a design I am using. check it out

chrischris · 02-10-2008, 12:12 AM

sounds great but i would ditch the wet-dry rock rubble section because i dont think it will help with filtration and use that space to icorperate a filtersock holder and use the sock 2 days every month to get out particales suspended in your water

motorslave · 02-10-2008, 12:26 AM

Here's my take on sumps, based on experience and logical comments and experience of others.
Simple is best. The sump is and excellent place to hide equipment and aid in husbandry. The flow through the sump should not exceed the capability of the skimmer, it shouldn't be used for the source of flow in the main tank. The slower the flow, the better, it will allow detritus to settle out in the sump for easy removal. If you incorporate a fuge, you will have much more husbandry to do. You have a smallish volume of water that will be more sensitive to any problems, the benefits of a fuge that small will be next to nill so the cons out way the pros IMO. Could even be an issue later down the line.
This is my two cents.

jamessp01 · 02-10-2008, 09:47 AM

As others have said, i would not put the lr rubble in the sump unless your have so little in your tank you think it wont handle the load. If you do put it in the sump, i still think youd want the skimmer first.

so if It were me, it put the skimmer section first, or a sediment trap first then the skimmer, then a bubble trap then leave the larger section mostly open for the return pump and other various things.

the hight of your baffle after the skimmer will need to be at a minimum, the height of water you need for the skimmer.

LiquidLunch · 02-10-2008, 10:21 AM

That myth that acrylic does not work well with glass tanks needs to stop. I have reconfigured my 30 gal glass sump a few times due to skimmers changes and it has always been a tough time removing partitions. If I didn't run a razorblade first to split the seal between the glass/acrylic, the glass would break if I tried to just pull the panel out. Just use DAP aquarium silicone that can be found at Lowes.

Caball362 · 02-10-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidLunch

That myth that acrylic does not work well with glass tanks needs to stop. I have reconfigured my 30 gal glass sump a few times due to skimmers changes and it has always been a tough time removing partitions. If I didn't run a razorblade first to split the seal between the glass/acrylic, the glass would break if I tried to just pull the panel out. Just use DAP aquarium silicone that can be found at Lowes.

Sweet Thanks for that little tidbit !

motorslave · 02-10-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidLunch

That myth that acrylic does not work well with glass tanks needs to stop. I have reconfigured my 30 gal glass sump a few times due to skimmers changes and it has always been a tough time removing partitions. If I didn't run a razorblade first to split the seal between the glass/acrylic, the glass would break if I tried to just pull the panel out. Just use DAP aquarium silicone that can be found at Lowes.

Maybe so but I would never use it for any kind of structural issue. it just wont hold like glass. For baffles it would be fine but thats about it. If there is any kind of pressure on it is when there would be issue.

aquasalt · 02-21-2008, 02:56 PM

Where do you go to get the baffles cut?

snow_man84088 · 02-21-2008, 04:16 PM

Any local glass shop should be able to do it for you. I learned my lesson the hard way. Don't try and buy the glass that they sell at home depot or lowes. It cost me more to buy the glass and the cutter just to break it than to order it from my local glass shop and wait two days for them to have it cut.

aquasalt · 02-21-2008, 04:30 PM

What should I expect in cost for three baffles?