Can somebody help me sump build :S
- Thread starter westy101
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Dieselfool
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2011
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- 3
Here's a quick, easy and most importantly cheap sump.
Gti_Leo
Aquarium Advice Addict
thats the best sump i've ever seen, seriously its so easy to change the filtration and so simple
TomStav
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Here is a diagram i made when i built my first sump I found it hard to find a detailed diagram to work from so during the process of researching many diy sumps and combining many different sketches along with many unsuccessful attempts, I drew this, and it works great.
Now that I have had this sump running for 6 months or so I have a few alterations myself. Mainly I would have (and soon will once I get the time for a quick rebuild) inserted an extra panel in the 'IN' section to allow the water to drop in through a sock, opposed to the water rising, also since building the sump I have added a water level sensor, oppose to the traditional float types I added a small diafram type that simply senses the pressure when the water level drops and shuts of the return pump, and then back on automatically once the water level is restored.
I also made a diy overflow box that also hid two powerheads, again it worked great.
Hope this is helpful!
Tom
Sent from my iPad using Aquarium
Now that I have had this sump running for 6 months or so I have a few alterations myself. Mainly I would have (and soon will once I get the time for a quick rebuild) inserted an extra panel in the 'IN' section to allow the water to drop in through a sock, opposed to the water rising, also since building the sump I have added a water level sensor, oppose to the traditional float types I added a small diafram type that simply senses the pressure when the water level drops and shuts of the return pump, and then back on automatically once the water level is restored.
I also made a diy overflow box that also hid two powerheads, again it worked great.
Hope this is helpful!
Tom
Sent from my iPad using Aquarium
TomStav
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Sorry the diagrams pixelated, I will post a clearer one tomorrow.
Sent from my iPad using Aquarium
Sent from my iPad using Aquarium
Mr. Limpet
Aquarium Advice Addict
Dieselfool said:
Looks great. Do you have a build thread for this one?
Sent from my Epic 4G
smarsh7903
Aquarium Advice Activist
Wow, for real, make me one. I made one out of a 55gal tank and cut fiberglass partitions and it was a serious pain. That is awesome, I want to steal your design.
Dieselfool
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2011
- Messages
- 3
Thanks.
Sorry, no build thread for this. Didn't really even document it in anyway except the few pics I took. Pretty simple and straight forward. Get a fitting that fits the intake hose, cut a hole in the top to fit and drill a gazillion small holes in each drawer. Mechanical filtration in the top drawer, and fill the rest with scrubbies. No need to drill all those holes in the bottom drawer though. I just drilled 3 x 1" holes in the front of the drawer for the water come through to the pump. Oh, and that "custom" water de-fuser on top of the filter pad, it one of those plastic tubs that butter or sour cream comes in. I just cut it down and drilled a bunch of holes in it so the water and all the dirt wasn't landing in the same spot. I have Mag18 pumping it back, and there is just enough room in the sump beside it to get a 300W heater in there.
Dieselfool
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2011
- Messages
- 3
Well....there is no skimmer in this sump as it was built for a F/W tank. But you could simply install one if you wanted to. If the sump isn't long enough, you can always buy one larger. I think i bought this tub at Canadian Tire here in Canada, for about $20, but I've seen lots of different size ones for sale at Wallyworld and the Home depot. I bought the drawer set at Home Depot . It was $20 too, but I got it for $10 as three of the drawers were cracked along the corners. Since the drawers aren't holding any weight from the water, just the scrubbies, and it's sitting in the sump, it didn't need to be water tight. It is very simple to clean as the drawers just slide out, however the frame comes apart at the bottom of each one of the drawers. There is little plastic nubs that need to be pushed in and it lifts right off. As my hard plumbing is in the way of the drawers, I just cut the little nubs off to make it easier to lift each drawer straight up and off for cleaning. This thing is working amazingly.
This is the sump that got replaced.
I did some quick calculations in my head and I think I expanded my bio-media capacity by about 400%.
I hope this helps.
Al.
iDream
Aquarium Advice Addict
My only problem with diesel's is all the pot scrubbers etc. becoming nitrate factories, but then I saw it was for FW and it does make a lot of sense and very cheap as well.
I believe Ziggy here has something very similar in his FW planted
I believe Ziggy here has something very similar in his FW planted
Mr. Limpet
Aquarium Advice Addict
westy101 said:
Perhaps it would help us help you if you posted info on your tank, fish stock, etc. Are you sure you even need a sump?
Sent from my Epic 4G
iDream
Aquarium Advice Addict
For a SW tank? If you have a larger tank then I'd suggest one, but if it's FW or a smaller SW tank then it's not necessary
iDream
Aquarium Advice Addict
Then yes I'd suggest you get a sump, it'd be very beneficial. Possibly going prebuilt if your budget allows, and if not then buy the biggest tank your stand can hold in the bottom
