DIY sump

fripclaksid · #1 09/19/2006, 11:40 PM

Hi, i've been searching on DIY articles on how to make your own sump. I basically know the basics. Overflowbox -> prefilter -> Bio balls -> carbon ->return pump.

Any good articles out there that can show me exactly how it is to be done?

djyox · #2 09/20/2006, 05:22 AM

melevsreef.com

tgfrench · #3 09/20/2006, 05:22 AM

heres a pic of my new sump installed 2 weeks ago.

since the pic i've removed the sponge shown and installed a small baffle on the other end which forces the water to enter the front section just above the intake on the skimmer pump.

the return section includes a pump for my chiller which is split (white piping on backwall) and valves have been added to control the flow between the retun to the skimmer area and the refug. section.

i also extended a pipe on the return away from where it is shown towards the back of the return section to avoid microbubbles.

here is a good place to start with ideas
http://www.melevsreef.com

i'll try to get a new pic tonight.

terry

fripclaksid · #4 09/21/2006, 04:17 AM

Thanks for your input Terry but i wanted to go with a sump without connection with a chiller and i wont be putting a refugium in there neither. The only thing im confused on is the part where the water will be going into the sump cause i know that it has to evenly spread over the bio balls how do i do that? btw its gonna be a FOWLR tank hence not needing a chiller and a refugium. (although i can use a refugium, i wont)

cesau · #5 09/21/2006, 10:09 AM

Usually a 1-2" deep drip panel is placed over the bio balls to distribute the water evenly. On top of that you could have a piece of PVC tubing with holes drilled in it to distrubte the water to the drip panel.

fripclaksid · #6 09/21/2006, 02:32 PM

aahhh that makes sence about the pvc tubing how about the drip panel? would that be better than the pvc? which is more expensive?