Just finished installing my new DIY 20g sump/fuge.
The old one didn't have enough room for a fuge, or lighting. This one has separate chambers for the skimmer (to maintain water level), the fuge (also will maintain a constant water level), and a chamber for the return pump (water level will vary with evaporation). The return pump chamber has two baffles so I can add a filter sponge, keeping the pump area clean, which was a problem in my old setup.
The old setup was / is disgusting - algae everywhere, smelly, and enough crud to fill a playdo container.
I went so far as to add sand, new lighting, and some more LR rubble. The hermits seem much happy with sand to crawl on instead of glass.
I'm not a wiz with silicone, and dont' really care if it looks pretty. Function over form, I guess.
Investment for sump - $29 for 20G long at PetSmart. $13 for 5 glass panes.
The old one didn't have enough room for a fuge, or lighting. This one has separate chambers for the skimmer (to maintain water level), the fuge (also will maintain a constant water level), and a chamber for the return pump (water level will vary with evaporation). The return pump chamber has two baffles so I can add a filter sponge, keeping the pump area clean, which was a problem in my old setup.
The old setup was / is disgusting - algae everywhere, smelly, and enough crud to fill a playdo container.
I went so far as to add sand, new lighting, and some more LR rubble. The hermits seem much happy with sand to crawl on instead of glass.
I'm not a wiz with silicone, and dont' really care if it looks pretty. Function over form, I guess.
Investment for sump - $29 for 20G long at PetSmart. $13 for 5 glass panes.