Sump help please!

[damo]

Hi, my first post and I need some help!!!

I only have a small tank, 36" x 18" x 12". I would like to add a sump to increase volume. My tank isn't drilled so I will need an overflow weir.

Can anyone give me advice on weir and sump design, I've checked out melevsreef and will maybe try to make one of his designs. Keep it very simple please!

Also, how do I calculate the size of return pump I will need?

I only want to make a simple sump at first, with a refugium to grow some algae etc. I cannot grow any in my main tank, my lemonpeel dwarf angel eats it as soon as I put any in!

Cheers!

[simon garratt]

With a tank that size id be looking at something small like an eheim 1250, or Aquabee 2000 return pump to be honest. For this youll need a 32mm stand pipe /durso (have a search theres loads of info around on Richard Durso's Site)

As for the sump itself, you could simply get away with a 3 section desighn, flowing from tank to section 1 with skimmer, then to section 2 with algae, finally to section 3 for the reurn pump.

Put a tap on the return pump so you can control flow and dont forget the small anti syphon hole (5mm will suffice) where it enters back into the tank 'just' below or above the water suface.


regards

Si.