Setting up a Sump OH MY!

[MizTanks]

Most of you know I'm very new to reefing and am soon to be upgrading from my 8g to my 26 bow front. Someday I may even go up to my 75g!

Anyways I'm going to be adding a sump to the 26 and I need as much in-put as I can get. First is how to add an overflow to the tank. Should it be the total height of the tank? Vents top and bottom? I'm going to look into getting it drilled but I'm not sure anyone around here does it, so lets go with not drilled.

Now about the sump. I'm not exactly sure of total capacity but I do believe it's for tanks from 10-75g's. I'm gonna need to know what size pump, filter media, tubing size, lighting.

Whatever y'all can tell me would be much appreciated.

[XSiVE]

Most of you know I'm very new to reefing and am soon to be upgrading from my 8g to my 26 bow front. Someday I may even go up to my 75g!

Anyways I'm going to be adding a sump to the 26 and I need as much in-put as I can get. First is how to add an overflow to the tank. Should it be the total height of the tank? Vents top and bottom? I'm going to look into getting it drilled but I'm not sure anyone around here does it, so lets go with not drilled.

Now about the sump. I'm not exactly sure of total capacity but I do believe it's for tanks from 10-75g's. I'm gonna need to know what size pump, filter media, tubing size, lighting.

Whatever y'all can tell me would be much appreciated.

If you dont want to drill, you will need to get, or make an overflow box. This box will typically have a siphon tube (or section) that runs over the lip of the tank into a second box that hangs on the back, which then has a standpipe connecting to the tubing that will run into your sump. It's relatively easy to install / set up but its less reliable than drilling the tank.

Personally, I'd drill. If you want to do a very cheap, very easy, very reliable overflow, you can get a section of 4" PVC pipe, cut it to the internal height of the tank, from the bottom glass to the rim, then slice it in half lengthwise so you have a half-circle that fits flush to the glass. Use a Dremel to cut slots(teeth) on the top (down only as far as you want your water level to go). Use a glass drill like something from http://glass-holes.com/ with a matching bulkhead, drill wherever on the back of the tank you want your overflow to be.. It's really quite easy as long as you're careful.. put the bulkhead on, attach a PVC 90 (or a street L) and attach a standpipe (that should be slightly lower than the teeth you cut in the pipe).. once the L and standpipe are in, silicone the half-circle PVC in place and you've got a nice overflow.

[John]

I'll be in McMillan next month. If you wouldn't mind the 1.5 hour drive to get your tank drilled.

[ReeferRob]

Very kind of you to offer John.!!!
Jaime Im getting very excited for you and your upgrade!!!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Overflow
I've been using this CPR overflow and like it WAY better than the U-tube style overflows. The CPR is more reliable than the tubes but requires an Aqualifter pump and sticks out off the back of the tank 3-4 inches. Therefore, when/if I set up a new tank it will be drilled and I will probably go the Glass-holes kit (note to self... always remember to include the "Gl" when typing that company name).

Sump
Sump size: As big as a footprint at you can fit in the stand.

Pump size: If you go with the CPR linked above then I'd suggest an Eheim 1250 or a Mag3. According to this link (click on "More info" to see a chart with height vs. flow) at 4 ft pumping height you'll get ~200 gallons per hour (gph) from the 1250 and ~250 gph from the Mag 3 (the above CPR overflow is rated for 300 gph). These are the two brands I have used, like, and recommend.

Tubing size: For the overflow just use clear flexible PVC that you can buy by-the-foot at a hardware store or home center. I believe the CPR takes a .75 inch inner diameter tube. For the return plumbing building and gluing something from rigid PVC is better but you could also use the clear flexible stuff. Just be sure that the connections are really tight. That tubing size will depend on the brand and model pump you chose to use.

[MizTanks]

I'll be in McMillan next month. If you wouldn't mind the 1.5 hour drive to get your tank drilled.

Sweeeet! Give me bout a weeks advance notice and I'll be there! Thank you so much John!

[MizTanks]

Any one want to explain the difference between a sump and refugium? I sort of know, lol.

[XSiVE]

A sump, at the end of the day is just a place to hold things... those things may be equipment, rock, a refugium, or heck, just extra water volume. A refugium is typically a place where you keep living organisms that could not otherwise thrive in your display for some reason (typically stuff there would eat them too quickly) that possibly contribute to the food web in the display. The refugium should share the water supply / filtration with the rest of the system, it can be its own tank, or a chamber in the sump. Most people use a refugium to grow macroalgae in hopes that it will out-compete ant nuisance algae that could be growing in their display tank.

examples:
My Sump has 3 chambers, the skimmer is in one, the return pump and heaters are in / connected to the second chamber, and the 3rd chamber is a type of refugium.

I actually keep two "refugiums", one is a 29 gallon tank with a light that runs opposite my display lights, it's where I grow my chaetomorpha algae. The second is an un-lit chamber in my sump packed full of live rock, I use this to allow sponges that like the dark to live in peace away from any fish in the display that would otherwise eat them. The sponges help filter the water.

[AZDesertRat]

Here is probably the best tutorial on sumps available today:
http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

[Frank143]

Home Depot CFL works great for your sump lighting.