Adding sump... any ideas??

[bunglehaze]

hi all, how r u??
I have had my tank setup for approx 2 years now with nothing too demanding living quite happily and i am now wanting to step things up a gear http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif much to the mrs's horror. first things first i want to add a sump in the cabinet underneath, nothing huge about 18" square i think will do(or any suggestions) what is the best way to go about this? currently I have :-

48x24x24 tank w/35kgs live rock
fluval 403 ext canister running bio
fluval 203 running chem
1800lph powerhead
(and a nice new aquamedic turboflotor1000 multi en-route)

thanks http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/alien.gif

[tuan]

hi
as your tank is not already drilled then the only real option is to use an overflow box to allow water to flow down into the sump.

then all you need is a pump to return the water from the sump back into the main tank

you have to make sure though the flow rating of the overflow box can easily cope with the flow rate of the return pump - or you'll get wet feet!

that's it as far as connecting a sump to your system goes. however - its worth planning out exactly what you're trying to achieve with the sump, like is it mainly for keeping all the equipments or will you build a deep sand bed in there and grow macro algae for filtration/nutrients export as well.

also, plan the sump design to take into consideration such as baffles to remove micro bubbles from the water that might come out from the skimmer.

if u need further help, its better to post in the 'Reefs' forumn as you'll get more response there.

HTH

[kim]

Good advice.

[bunglehaze]

thanks all.
just looking into drilling the tank as it stands but emptying most of the water temporarily. ive been told that it should be safe and will avoid having to try the overflow box option which will be tricky in my situation. whats the worse that could happen??? I could get a bigger newer tank!!! got a hospital tank to put stock in if the worst occurs.

any idvise??
thanks
leigh

[AndyI]

Hi all
Sorry for stepping in and sounding a bit dense, but.....
Whay is an 'overflow box'? Why don't all folk use them and avoid the hassle of drilling?? Pros/cons please.

Andy
PS I only have a 2ft long tank, which at some point I may use as a sump and upgrade my main tank. At present I know absolutely naff all about sumps. Just doing some research.

[bunglehaze]

andy first of all dont make apologies for asking questions!
until about a month ago I knew nothing about the correct ways to run a successful marine tank thanks to bad advice from my lfs(local fish shop), only through asking quite a number of simple questions have I realised where I have been going wrong so your doing the right thing m8.

From what I have found so far a sump seems to be the better alternative for means of filtration as you can keep all your equipment in or near it and you can add to the equipment very easily without disrupting your livestock in the show tank, drilling your tank allows an easy way to get water to the sump then back again.
With an overflow box you do not have to drill the tank, the unit sits behind or on the side of your tank and by use of a siphon feeds water over the lip of the tank and down to your sump, in my opinion and from what i have read they can be prone to leaking. (no doubt I will be heckled for saying that).At the moment I am selling my less than good setup in favour of a pre-drilled tank and sump setup.

my advice is read loads of previous threads on sumps, overflow boxes, dsb(deep sand bed) and choose the best option for your needs.

as I said before I am far from an expert but if you do your research on this bb you WILL learn a lot!

hope this helps
leigh http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[AndyI]

Aaah gotcha!
So esentially your just talking about running a sump by siphoning off the show tank and using a return pump back up, yes?
I just thought an overflow box was some new gizmo to avoid drilling. But you just mean afancy siphon. Sorry.

[Jay]

Yup overflow is a way out of not drilling tank, I had a similar problem but decided in end was an excuse to upgrade to a bigger tank;)