sump-like project for a 20 gallon? - Aquarium Advice

first-timer89 · 10-15-2004, 04:57 PM

I have been reading over the forms and could not find any info on this type of a project. My question is, can I put a 10 gallon tank under my 20 and put my protean skimmer, filter, and heater in it? I cant drill my 20 gallon. The reason for the 10 gallon idea is to add water volume and hide my protean skimmer, filter, and heater. How would I get the water from the 20 to the 10 and then back in to the 20 again? This is my first sump-like project.

TIA

seaham358 · 10-15-2004, 07:36 PM

yes, you will need to have the 20 fish tank drilled or get a over flow box. Drilled [acronym:45d415a1fd="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:45d415a1fd] is the best way to go. Do a search on the site there are already a few posts on this subject. You could use another 20 for the sump and make a nice refugium in the middle adding extra water volume is a +++
Bigger is better for a beginner tank.... Keep doing the research.... If you don't find anything I'm sure others will jump in.

first-timer89 · 10-15-2004, 08:28 PM

thanks

Wolf · 11-02-2004, 06:21 PM

exact question I was going to post!

electrikat · 11-02-2004, 08:31 PM

[acronym:0d765239fc="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:0d765239fc] it wouldn't be worth it to drill a 20 gallon. Breakage and price both being issues. We are building a sump/refuge for both our 90 gallons and are building our own overflows according to this post.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/show...threadid=35200
There are several good websites about building your own sumps, fuges and overflows from tubs and old aquariums. Research is key. They also have store bought overflows on ebay and several online stores. Again it's only my opinion about the drilling.

Edmonton Eskimo · 11-02-2004, 09:14 PM

It is definitely worth it to drill any tank. All you must do is find out if it is tempered glass(you can't drill tempered glass) you can do this by simply e-mailing the manufacturer. Drilling your tank gets rid of the risk of flooding when the power goes out. If you have the option of drilling your tank then do it! I feel it is quite irresponsible to tell someone not to drill there tank if they can. [acronym:fef44e010b="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:fef44e010b] overflows are not cheap and even if you make your own you can get a glass shop to drill for about 10-20 bucks a hole.

first-timer89 · 11-03-2004, 03:27 PM

mine is tempered

KMyers18 · 11-03-2004, 04:06 PM

I dont think i would say it's irresponsible!!! This person clearly stated that this was only his opinion. [acronym:a507bd005e="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:a507bd005e] I would'nt drill a 20 [acronym:a507bd005e="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a507bd005e]. either. Why spend more to drill it than the tanks is worth? Thoes plastic over flow boxes ARE cheap!!!

electrikat · 11-03-2004, 05:08 PM

Yes I did say it was only my opinion and it was because a 20 gallon is just not worth much in the reef world anyways. I know alot of people have nano-reefs and they do fine, but most fish simply need more growing space than that. If you are going to spend all that money to drill, setup a sump, and buy lighting for reef life, it would make more sense(in the long run) to go ahead and get a pre-drilled tank in the 30 plus gallon range and use the 20 for the sump. I always state that my opinions are my own and that other people are entitled to take it or leave it. By the way, Firsttimer89, did you check out that website thread that I put in my original answer. We have already built a prototype and added a hole in the top of the return line just above the water in the tank. When you kill the power the syphon breaks and the tank only drains till it is below the holes in the overflow. The hoses in the overflow never break syphon, so when the power comes back on, the system starts back up with no overflowing of the tank or the sump.

first-timer89 · 11-03-2004, 05:14 PM

I do not have much space...

10-15-2004, 04:57 PM	#1
first-timer89 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 354	sump-like project for a 20 gallon? I have been reading over the forms and could not find any info on this type of a project. My question is, can I put a 10 gallon tank under my 20 and put my protean skimmer, filter, and heater in it? I cant drill my 20 gallon. The reason for the 10 gallon idea is to add water volume and hide my protean skimmer, filter, and heater. How would I get the water from the 20 to the 10 and then back in to the 20 again? This is my first sump-like project. TIA

10-15-2004, 07:36 PM	#2
seaham358 Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2004 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 3,296 Images: 21	yes, you will need to have the 20 fish tank drilled or get a over flow box. Drilled [acronym:45d415a1fd="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:45d415a1fd] is the best way to go. Do a search on the site there are already a few posts on this subject. You could use another 20 for the sump and make a nice refugium in the middle adding extra water volume is a +++ Bigger is better for a beginner tank.... Keep doing the research.... If you don't find anything I'm sure others will jump in. __________________ 9/02-125 REEF, 125 lbs LR,LS 4x160 VHO, Reef Devil /Sump, Fuge 7/03-55 FOWLR 60lb LR, 50 lb SD sand 2x40 NO strip light, Reef Devil/sump, Fuge TANK PICS http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=98202

11-02-2004, 06:21 PM	#4
Wolf Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Thomasville, Georgia Posts: 344 Images: 2	exact question I was going to post! __________________ Tank: 55 Gallon The equipment: Coralife 4x65w (2x10k; 2xActinic), Emperor 400, 2 [acronym:99d01ca68b="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:99d01ca68b] The Fish: black maroon clown, neon goby, yellow watchman goby, 3 blue-green chromis, royal gramma, and a yellow clown goby. The Coral: zoos, kenya trees, [acronym:99d01ca68b="Mushroom coral"]shrooms[/acronym:99d01ca68b], leathers, hammer, and star polyps The Inverts: LT anemone, pistol shrimp, urchins, etc. The Janitors: nassarius snails, turbos, hermits, several brittle and serpent stars The Rock: 68# of Keys-12# Base Rock; from [acronym:99d01ca68b="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:99d01ca68b].com

11-02-2004, 08:31 PM	#5
electrikat Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: texas Posts: 1,475	[acronym:0d765239fc="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:0d765239fc] it wouldn't be worth it to drill a 20 gallon. Breakage and price both being issues. We are building a sump/refuge for both our 90 gallons and are building our own overflows according to this post. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/show...threadid=35200 There are several good websites about building your own sumps, fuges and overflows from tubs and old aquariums. Research is key. They also have store bought overflows on ebay and several online stores. Again it's only my opinion about the drilling. __________________ Good luck! Kat 90 malawia cichlid 55 planted tropical community http://www.aquarank.com/in.php?id=fishfree

11-03-2004, 05:08 PM	#9
electrikat Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: texas Posts: 1,475	Yes I did say it was only my opinion and it was because a 20 gallon is just not worth much in the reef world anyways. I know alot of people have nano-reefs and they do fine, but most fish simply need more growing space than that. If you are going to spend all that money to drill, setup a sump, and buy lighting for reef life, it would make more sense(in the long run) to go ahead and get a pre-drilled tank in the 30 plus gallon range and use the 20 for the sump. I always state that my opinions are my own and that other people are entitled to take it or leave it. By the way, Firsttimer89, did you check out that website thread that I put in my original answer. We have already built a prototype and added a hole in the top of the return line just above the water in the tank. When you kill the power the syphon breaks and the tank only drains till it is below the holes in the overflow. The hoses in the overflow never break syphon, so when the power comes back on, the system starts back up with no overflowing of the tank or the sump. __________________ Good luck! Kat 90 malawia cichlid 55 planted tropical community http://www.aquarank.com/in.php?id=fishfree

10-15-2004, 08:28 PM	#3
first-timer89 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 354	thanks

11-02-2004, 09:14 PM	#6
Edmonton Eskimo Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: edmonton Posts: 676 Images: 17	It is definitely worth it to drill any tank. All you must do is find out if it is tempered glass(you can't drill tempered glass) you can do this by simply e-mailing the manufacturer. Drilling your tank gets rid of the risk of flooding when the power goes out. If you have the option of drilling your tank then do it! I feel it is quite irresponsible to tell someone not to drill there tank if they can. [acronym:fef44e010b="By the way"]BTW[/acronym:fef44e010b] overflows are not cheap and even if you make your own you can get a glass shop to drill for about 10-20 bucks a hole.

11-03-2004, 03:27 PM	#7
first-timer89 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 354	mine is tempered

11-03-2004, 04:06 PM	#8
KMyers18 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: central florida Posts: 296 Images: 8	I dont think i would say it's irresponsible!!! This person clearly stated that this was only his opinion. [acronym:a507bd005e="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:a507bd005e] I would'nt drill a 20 [acronym:a507bd005e="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:a507bd005e]. either. Why spend more to drill it than the tanks is worth? Thoes plastic over flow boxes ARE cheap!!!

11-03-2004, 05:14 PM	#10
first-timer89 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 354	I do not have much space...

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
Documentation: 40 gal sump project *dial up sensitive*	RLG2182	DIY Projects	36	Yesterday 07:36 PM
90 Gallon Planted Tank Project	azn_fishy55	Freshwater & Brackish - Planted Tanks	7	12-24-2005 11:34 AM
Weld-on 3 rocks! DIY sump project workin well edit w/pics	zuzecawi	Saltwater & Reef - Archive	1	03-07-2005 11:29 AM
Sump - Skimmer - Fuge (All in one) Project	micaheli	DIY Projects	4	03-15-2004 11:40 PM
Homemade stand #1 130 gallon, next project 300 gallon stand	lbry21	Show Off/Photography	6	12-14-2003 07:21 PM