Does anyone know how to

jden092901 · #1 12/24/2007, 02:07 PM

Hey everyone...Merry Christmas...

I have a 30 Gallon tank, I use a Skilter 400 (skimmer and filter in one). I was wanting to have some type of sump...anything would work. My tank is not drilled so how would I do that? I just dont even know where to start. Can this be done, now that my tank is up and running...for about 5 months now. I think it would help to have some cheto in there to help with nitrates and phos. Any ideas that would be easy?

Thanks,

Josh

cilyjr · #2 12/24/2007, 02:10 PM

get an overflow box. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...erflowbox&Np=1

woolyt2 · #3 12/24/2007, 02:10 PM

get a hang on the back (hob) overflow...and you can use an old tank for the sump just have to put in baffles

jden092901 · #4 12/24/2007, 02:25 PM

Ok...dumb question...If I buy that overflow box...do i need a sump to...or just put that behind my tank and thats it? I just dont know much about these...

Thanks again,

Josh

cilyjr · #5 12/24/2007, 02:49 PM

you will need a sump. the overflow box is just a syphon out of the tank then it drains to a sump. you will also need a return pump and over the top plumbing to return water to the display

everl0ng · #6 12/24/2007, 02:51 PM

just get the overflow box, and then you can put the sump tank behind, beside, or under your current stand. then you just go get some pvc and run the pvc from your overflow box to the sump. then you put the return pump in the sump and have the pvc coming from that and running to the display tank. the baffles in the sump will help eliminate microbubbles from being pumped up into your display. you can even incorporate a refugium into the sump where you can store some macro algae such as chaetomorpha to help reduce your nitrates and as a breeding station for pods and beneficial critters.

Zestay · #7 12/24/2007, 02:52 PM

here are some useful drawings i made up custom for someone else but might help explain how a sump works

picture these more as schmetics not drawn to scale or anything.

everl0ng · #8 12/24/2007, 02:54 PM

just get the overflow box, and then you can put the sump tank behind, beside, or under your current stand. then you just go get some pvc and run the pvc from your overflow box to the sump. then you put the return pump in the sump and have the pvc coming from that and running to the display tank. the baffles in the sump will help eliminate microbubbles from being pumped up into your display. you can even incorporate a refugium into the sump where you can store some macro algae such as chaetomorpha to help reduce your nitrates and as a breeding station for pods and beneficial critters.

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jden092901 · #9 12/24/2007, 03:12 PM

Thank you so much for all of your help!!!

I feel really stupid, however, im still learning this hobby...thanks again and you all have a very merry christmas!

Josh

everl0ng · #10 12/24/2007, 03:22 PM

no need to feel stupid. we were all new at this hobby at one point in time. if you do decide to set up a sump, make sure that your overflow box is rated for the same or more gallons per hour than your return pump. say if your overflow box can handle 500gph, but your return pump is rated for 1000gpg, you may have a flood. granted all of the bends/elbows in the pvc and the height it has to be pumped back up to the tank will all decrease the gph output of the return pump. more water volume = more stability and you can increase your bioload a little. and a sump is a great place to hide equipment such as skimmers, heaters and other equipment that you don't want taking up valuable space in your display tank.