Help on my sump idea.

[Iconz]

Alright, my 20gal project is kinda getting bigger. I'm really starting to regret not planning a sump system for this project. Mainly because I don't want all of the ugly equipment in my display, and it looks like there is going to be ALOT of it. So, I'm lookin at going ahead and adding in a sump.

My question is mainly, what are your all's ideas on how I can get a sump to work with my undrilled 20g high tank?

Options I've considered so far:

- Making an HOTB overflow box based on Melve's design.
- Using a syphon sube overflow design (seen here (http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/overflow.htm))
- Buying an HOTB overflow box. (I really hate to spend the money, but it might be worth it).

Can you all come up with anything else? Or, which one would you all go with?

Also, if anyone has a hotb overflow box they don't need, I'LL BUY IT!!!! :)

Thanks!
-JD

I've also found this:...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Siphon-Aquarium-Overflow-Box-600g-w-Lift-Pump_W0QQitemZ160069827125QQihZ006QQcategoryZ46310 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

whatcha think?!

[perpetual98]

Either drill the tank, or buy a decent HOTB model that incorporates an Aqualifter pump. :)

[Iconz]

So, would the ebay one above not work? The designs look the same to me...

Also, I'm debating on return pumps... Either a quiet one or a mag... which one would you all go with?

I'm also debating doing a CLM... which pump would you use for that?

[hummer]

hay icons my stuff came today and im happy just so you know my over flow is HUGE almost 10"wide 8"deep i should get some pics...up later today so you all can see :):)

[Iconz]

where did you get your's bob?

[Iconz]

Also, which return pump would you all go with? a mag 7 or a quiet one 3000?

[Iconz]

Hmm... I'm still undecided on a return pump and a CLM pump... Which ones do you all think?

I'm now leaning toward a Q.O. 1200 for the Return, since I've learned that you only need 2-5x turnover in the sump, and i'm lookin at the Q.O. 3000 for the CLM.... I'm hopin to order these today, so any help would be greatly appreaciated!

Thanks!
JD

[perpetual98]

That would probably work. I've got a QO 3000 for my return and it's too much pump. I'll make it work though. :)

By the way, I've got those pumps at my store. ;)

[Iconz]

k, i've got a cart filled at your store, your QO 3000 can be plumbed inline, right?

I also need an aqualifter... got one of those, too!? :)

[perpetual98]

I'm sure that the 4000 can be plumbed external, and I'm 98% sure that the 3000 can be too. I think most of theirs except for the really small ones can be plumbed external.

I can get the aqualifter. I can add it to my store of you like. My pricing on it isn't terribly great though through that particular supplier.

[Iconz]

I'm just tryin to avoid paying double shipping costs...

Also, for the return plumbing... When you get to the top of the tank, do you really need a "u tube" or can you just plumb it yourself?

[perpetual98]

return plumbing FROM the sump? You can use whatever you want to get water from the sump to the display. What you're optimally shooting for is the water to make it to the display, not the floor. You can use whatever plumbing you like. Drains FROM your display TO the sump get a bit trickier, but your overflow should take care of all that for you. Why are you running the pump externally if you don't mind me asking?

[perpetual98]

I'm just tryin to avoid paying double shipping costs...


Me too. I can get the aqualift pump from one supplier, and the QO pumps from another supplier, and while you only have to pay one shipping charge from me, I have to pay 2 from my vendors. :)

[Iconz]

I'm not running the pump externally... it will be in the return chamber of the sump.

The one that will be external is the QO 3000 which I plan on using for a CLM... more on that later.

And yeah, I'm just tryin to get as much info as possible on plumbing the return from the sump. It will be 3/4" pipe since the Q.O. 1200 is 3/4" in and out...
What I don't know is what is the best way to plumb the "end" of the return line... do i use a nozzle of some sorts, or what? :)

[perpetual98]

Ahh, I think I see what you mean. You were asking if you could directly connect the pump to some plumbing? That you can do.

[Iconz]

Yeah.

Okay, I think I may have ran into another problem after doing some more reading...

The overflow box I bought is rate for 600gph.

A QO 1200 is rated at 296gph at 0 head... 206gph with 3.5' of head...

I know an overflow will only suck as much water as is flowing into it, but won't the syphon break on it if the return pump can't keep up?

If that is the case, I'd bet that I'll need to restrict the amount of flow (to the sump) that the overflow box is giving me... would that work? or would that cause a flood on the outside part of the overflow box?

The other downside to that (i believe) is that it would cause more noise if the flow is restricted....

[perpetual98]

To be honest, you'd be better off getting a bigger return pump and restricting the output on the return pump. You're always better off getting a bigger pump than you need and tweaking it with a gate valve if you need to.

[greg97527]

or you can get an "aqualifter pump" costs about 13 bucks and you set it on ur loverflow with tubing that gives you a syphon at all times so if the pump does'nt keep up, when it does the aqualifter will start the syphon.
no aquarist should be without the aqualifter. works great and you can't even hear it running. Think Simple ;)

[melev]

You can see if the overflow keeps up by watching it daily. If it can't maintain the siphon, you'll know quickly. You should simulate a power outage by killing power to the return pump several times to see if it restarts properly and that the overflow resumes properly. Also, this helps you determine if the sump can hold all the water that will drain in a power outage.

[Iconz]

cool! thanks for the input everyone!