These are Plans for an Acrylic 36”x18”x16” sump/refugium, the total volume of this sump is around 45 gal. It will have 3 chambers, an intake/ skimmer chamber, Pump chamber, and a fuge. This setup is pretty much a bare bones sump and will be easy to customize any way you want. I am making it for an in-sump skimmer and a submersible pump with the return split between the display tank and fuge, and will be controlled by every reefers best friend ..Ball valves.
Sump Design
Sump for Sale Online
I found this similar sump from online store (that will remain nameless),the total with shipping is about $516!!!! Yeah I know it’s shipping for an “overweight/sized” and it’s through the roof, so let’s say you get free shipping or buy it for a LFS, it’s still $430. There are many sumps online and in stores, and I also found that most of them are ridiculously overpriced as well.
This is a fairly easy build, the few tools you need most people have around the house and all the material needed can be bought from most home improvement stores.
Tools:
Sharpie
Measuring Tape
Sand Paper
Cutting tool (Power saws are the easiest and fastest to use. I used a table saw because they make the straightest cuts, but if you don’t have access to a table saw you can use a skill saw. And if you are uncomfortable with using a power saw altogether I believe you can have the acrylic cut for you at Home Depot and Lowes. I also seen that you can score the acrylic with a tool and snap it like you do with glass but I have never tried this. )
Some CD cases (they make great braces)
---------- Post added at 01:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:41 PM ----------
4x Sheets of .220 24”x48” Acrylic (I measured it out so you will have a little left over to build a skimmer stand, filter sock hold and extra bracing if needed). http://www.menards.com/main/building...036-c-7552.htm
That’s it, that make the grand total of this sump around $178. Actually I got my acrylic when Menard’s was having one of it many sales, and got 15% off. So if you are in no hurry you can wait for sale and snag up the acrylic cheap. Either way, $178 vs. $430? There is an extra $252 in your pocket. And with the left over acrylic I made a skimmer stand, another $20+ item for free, and still have extra enough to make probe holder or whatever I can think of.
The First thing you need to do is design your sump. Aside from the chamber layout, think about the type of equipment you will have running in the sump, the location (under the aquarium stand, plumbed from another room,..) and you may also want to keep room for crazy future equipment that hasn’t been invented yet. I did.
After you have decided on the design that best fits your needs, the next thing is to make a cut sheet so you know all your measurements. (Remember to take into account the thickness of the acrylic you use) Then figure out the best way to layout the cuts on the sheets to minimize the amount of acrylic sheets you need to use.
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