Giant HOB instead of a sump.

[Crepe]

Just out of curiosity. Has anyone ever considered building something along the lines of a giant HOB instead of a sump? A pump would pull water out of the tank and it would over flow back into it. I'm thinking of building a model 3' tall, 5" deep and the width of thank itself. Anyone think it'd work? I could probably incorporate a DSB, and a fuge near the surface as well as install a HOB skimmer on such a set up....

Really bad conceptual diagram.

To be more clear this won't really hang on the back of the tank but instead will rest on a base that's lower than the tank. The spill way will be near the tank. I'm thinking about using acrylic for the build.

Edit: just realized the fuge won't work. Everything will get chopped up by the intake. I'll go with a big skimmer instead in this design with DSB and LRR.

The reason I'm contemplating this instead of a sump is:
1.) I don't feel confident in my drilling capabilities.
2.) I don't really have room for a sump.
3.) We need more experimenters in this hobby

note: I will probably not build this if I can find someone that will lend me a drill press. So that's a 80% chance of this build not happening. Just throwing this out there in case someone has the cajones to try.

 

[doogle]

yes the fuge wont work to its capacity, like that. creative, no doubt...little unclear but i like the idea, i was looking at the new fluval h.o.b. filters (c series) band was thinking how h.o.b filters need more capability and capacity. i am trying to make a sump, then a fuge, maybe out of an old h.o.b aquaclear...lol

 

[BigJim]

That's basically the same concept as a sump with a HOB overflow box. I think you'd struggle with the 3' depth with only 5" of width. I know I couldn't reach to the bottom very easily.