Just finished my DIY sump cabinet - NO Investment but time - Aquarium Advice

alarmguy66 · 12-21-2003, 09:56 PM

I just finished building and plumbing my cabinet for my sump. Its only a 10 [acronym:bd4fdec8b6="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:bd4fdec8b6] for now, will be going up in size after xmas (room was left for larger sump). I built my house a little over 3 years ago, and when I say I built it, I mean that. I did everything except the masonary work myself. Plumbing, eelectrical, framing, sheetrock, you name it. Took almost a year, but I have a beautiful home that just got appraised for 247,000 and I have less than 130,00 in it. A great benefit is that I have all kinds of lumber, plumbing and electrical supplies left, so I can build stuff without having to buy much.

The cabinet is in the third of the basement that I am keeping unfinished, on the opposite side of the wall from the aquarium.

Actual build time was 5 hrs, would have been less if I hadnt had the flu. I didnt have a piece of Oak plywood that I deemed good enough for the doors, so I am debating on buying one or just using what I have. Also I might chnge the backing from luan sheets to solid wood due to some vibrations I am getting from the pump. Only other addition will be using syrofoam boards for insulation and sound deadening in the lower half.

I am getting a lot of bubbles in the sump from the 40" drop the water currently travels. I think inserting a p-trap below the shelf (there is a union there already) may minimize that.

Other that that change, all seems well. No leaks, and the 3 hours or so I took fine tuning water levels and testing for power outage flood prevention (which would have been disatrous had I not done it) went well. What do you guys think? Any suggestions on improvements?

alarmguy66 · 12-21-2003, 10:05 PM

seems not all of my pics made it, ill try again

Bearfan · 12-21-2003, 10:15 PM

Is the tank on the other side of the wall?

12-21-2003, 10:15 PM

Very Nice....

brendan · 12-22-2003, 12:20 AM

What's the black thing on the left of the 10g tank for? Is it another filter?

The bigger [acronym:1467c87e56="Plastic pipe"]PVC[/acronym:1467c87e56] on the left is that where the water come down from?

What power head do you have returning the water?

Looks awesome!

Do you think you could send me bigger pics, I'm interested in doing something similar. If you can send them to matt.ward@shaw.[acronym:1467c87e56="Calcium"]ca[/acronym:1467c87e56]

Thanks

fishfreek · 12-22-2003, 10:27 AM

Sweet. Only three pics per post. Thats why the other three got lost the first time.

It looks great.

alarmguy66 · 12-22-2003, 11:33 PM

Here is a pic of the tank on the other side

12-21-2003, 09:56 PM	#1
alarmguy66 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Hood, Virginia Posts: 196	Just finished my DIY sump cabinet - NO Investment but time I just finished building and plumbing my cabinet for my sump. Its only a 10 [acronym:bd4fdec8b6="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:bd4fdec8b6] for now, will be going up in size after xmas (room was left for larger sump). I built my house a little over 3 years ago, and when I say I built it, I mean that. I did everything except the masonary work myself. Plumbing, eelectrical, framing, sheetrock, you name it. Took almost a year, but I have a beautiful home that just got appraised for 247,000 and I have less than 130,00 in it. A great benefit is that I have all kinds of lumber, plumbing and electrical supplies left, so I can build stuff without having to buy much. The cabinet is in the third of the basement that I am keeping unfinished, on the opposite side of the wall from the aquarium. Actual build time was 5 hrs, would have been less if I hadnt had the flu. I didnt have a piece of Oak plywood that I deemed good enough for the doors, so I am debating on buying one or just using what I have. Also I might chnge the backing from luan sheets to solid wood due to some vibrations I am getting from the pump. Only other addition will be using syrofoam boards for insulation and sound deadening in the lower half. I am getting a lot of bubbles in the sump from the 40" drop the water currently travels. I think inserting a p-trap below the shelf (there is a union there already) may minimize that. Other that that change, all seems well. No leaks, and the 3 hours or so I took fine tuning water levels and testing for power outage flood prevention (which would have been disatrous had I not done it) went well. What do you guys think? Any suggestions on improvements?

12-21-2003, 10:15 PM	#3
Bearfan Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Marquette, MI Posts: 3,554 Images: 45	Is the tank on the other side of the wall? __________________ 75 gal w/ 75 gal sump, 25 gal fuge with Chaeto and 25 gal frag - 4x65 PC w/ Moonlite on the main tank, 2x20W PC on the fuge, 4x20W PC on the frag 72 Gal Bowfront Planted w/ 2x65 PC and 40W T8

12-22-2003, 10:27 AM	#6
fishfreek Aquarium Advice FINatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 971 Images: 82	Sweet. Only three pics per post. Thats why the other three got lost the first time. It looks great. __________________ Remember dont tap the glass, your fish will think you're an idiot -Anonymous mother Check out our articles area. 30+ Aquatic articles for your enjoyment Are you in or around the Shenandoah Valley area? If so click here to join our regional forum. Looking for affordable web hosting? Look no more We have the answer Learn more about Coral Reef Conservation. Free photo hosting

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sump for a 55 gal cabinet	mkillgore	Saltwater Reef Aquaria	8	12-29-2005 06:24 PM
Finished Sump/Fuge	bckane	Saltwater Reef Aquaria	5	10-11-2005 11:28 PM
Finished my DIY LED Moonlights	mentallylost	DIY Projects	6	05-17-2005 07:28 AM
just finished 120g diy tank,pic	pacheco	DIY Projects	3	02-23-2005 10:31 AM
Storage Cabinet and Sump Stand	fishfreek	DIY Projects	7	07-31-2002 11:51 AM

12-21-2003, 10:05 PM	#2
alarmguy66 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Hood, Virginia Posts: 196	seems not all of my pics made it, ill try again

12-22-2003, 12:20 AM	#5
brendan Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Winnipeg CAN Posts: 124 Images: 10	What's the black thing on the left of the 10g tank for? Is it another filter? The bigger [acronym:1467c87e56="Plastic pipe"]PVC[/acronym:1467c87e56] on the left is that where the water come down from? What power head do you have returning the water? Looks awesome! Do you think you could send me bigger pics, I'm interested in doing something similar. If you can send them to matt.ward@shaw.[acronym:1467c87e56="Calcium"]ca[/acronym:1467c87e56] Thanks

12-22-2003, 11:33 PM	#7
alarmguy66 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Hood, Virginia Posts: 196	Here is a pic of the tank on the other side