Sump, skimmer, etc.

[dansemacabre]

Hey everyone,

For my upcoming 100gal FOWLR tank, I'm thinking I'm gonna make a DIY sump out of my old 55gallon that is just sitting around. I think it'll be good for helping to stabilize my water conditions (as more is better, yes?) and I've got nothing better to do with it. I know I saw a formula for how powrful the powerhead had to be to pump a certain height (head height, I think it's called) and I was wondering if anyone knew what that formula was?

I have a Berlin XL venturi-style protein skimmer that will go in the sump. Any comments on this skimmer/set-up?

Also, I cannot find Yardright/OldCastle/Southdown at any of my local Home Depot's or Lowes' stores. I'm about to go on a trip down south anyway, so I will be checking Home Depots as I head southward. I don't know why I told you all that, but I guess I just think it's funny that I have to go a region south for sand. :P

Also, I cannot find Yardright/OldCastle/Southdown at any of my local Home Depot's or Lowes' stores. I'm about to go on a trip down south anyway, so I will be checking Home Depots as I head southward. I don't know why I told you all that, but I guess I just think it's funny that I have to go a region south for sand.

Try going east...It is found regularly in NJ and NY...

[mulron]

For my upcoming 100gal FOWLR tank, I'm thinking I'm gonna make a DIY sump out of my old 55gallon that is just sitting around. I think it'll be good for helping to stabilize my water conditions (as more is better, yes?) and I've got nothing better to do with it.

Yuppers

I know I saw a formula for how powrful the powerhead had to be to pump a certain height (head height, I think it's called) and I was wondering if anyone knew what that formula was?

Depends on the brand of pump, most online sites will have a chart as to many GPH the pump is do at a certain height. As for how big to get, well that depends on the overflow GPH rating. IMHO on my 125gal, I have a 800 GPH overflow and a pump that can pump 1200 GPH (this is reduced because it is pumping 6ft).

I have a Berlin XL venturi-style protein skimmer that will go in the sump. Any comments on this skimmer/set-up?

Skimmer wise I think you will be happy with it. It's a good skimmer.

[loganj]

What size pump do you have for the skimmer? I'm using one with a Mag 5. I would go with a Mag 7 or even a 9.5 if I had it to do over again. The Berlin is a great skimmer and will do you a good job. Are you going to have the 55 drilled for an external pump? If not, I'd go with a Magdrive pump for the return also. They are good pumps and cheap to repair. Stay away from the Rios...they tend not to restart sometimes. For a general idea of head pressure, measure the distance straight up that the pump will have to pump the water and add 1' to it for every 90* elbow that you put in the line...that'll get you pretty close.

[dansemacabre]

First off, thanks mulron, and loganj. But of course, I have more questions. :P I just want to make sure I do it right the first time.

If I'm making my own overflow (syphon-style, w/ PVC piping) how on earth will I know how many gph the overlfow is? If the magdrive 7 powering the skimmer is ~700gph, then I assume I want an overflow that is at least 700gph, but not much more. Which means the pump that pumps water out of the sump needs to be around 700gph after I factor in height, right? I'm not really sure, so I have to ask. =] Thanks again!

[mulron]

I would model my overflow after something that is already rated. You can assume that it would be close to that. Something 10" wide with a 1" bulkhead outflow would yield 800gph.

Which means the pump that pumps water out of the sump needs to be around 700gph after I factor in height, right?

Yuppers

[r95rdstr]

ONE of the HD's in Cincinnati has it in stock.