DIY 5gallon Sump

[duncantse]

I have a 20 gallon tank and only the 5 gallon tank can fit inside my stand. Can somebody help me design a sump that has mechanical filtering,biological filtering,area for protein skimmer+heater+etc, and another area for the water to pump back up.

Can I use a powerhead connected to vinyl tubing to pump water down to my sump and then use another powerhead connected to vinyl to pump water back up?

[Smitty]

I don't know if it is possible with only a 5g tank. Plus, I don't think a skimmer is needed with a 20g tank.

[duncantse]

How about a 10 gallon sump?

[Smitty]

With a 10g I think you at least now have room to section into at least two sections. Still don't know if a skimmer is needed but maybe a hang on skimmer down on the sump, then 1 section for rubble or something and another section for the return.

[duncantse]

How high should I make the baffles to section my tank?

Also do you think the powerhead+vinyl tubing will work?

[Smitty]

I'm not sure on how high to make the baffles as I've asked that in my own sump thread. I would say high enough to leave 2-3" of room at the top of your sump (enough room for water to not overflow if there is a power outage). I do know people use tubing but most use PVC with minimum bends if possible.