3ft Sump Filter

Good Evening everyone. I have recently decided to go with a 3ft sump filter for my 4ft Live Bearer tank. I have no idea how to build one or what is needed.

Can anyone assist with any advice or guidance?

TIA.

 

Hi @Aryann94 ,

Welcome to the forum

Firstly, is your tank drilled and has it got an overflow for the sump?

Are you buying a sump or you planning on building it yourself

 

Hello. My tank is not drilled as it is already fully set up and functional for the past year. I am planning to use a 3ft tank as a sump, which I will purchase or build myself. The part I am unsure of, is how many baffles do I need and also, how to get the water out of my tank into the sump. I was told I could use a HOB filter to do that and then use a submersible pump in the sump to get the water back into my tank, yet I am highly confused as the HOB's I've seen, don't seem to have a flow rate above 1200 liters per hour, whereas the Sobo Submersible pumps that I've seen have a flow rate of 2500 to 3000 liters per hour.

 

Thank you. I will definitely research and keep this in mind.

 

Bought a 3ft sump from my LFS for R620 new about a month ago. Just to give you an idea on pricing

 

How exactly does a sump work if your fish tank is not drilled?

 

I had a look at what you linked. The idea of using the HOB came from this as well. If yoy look at the piping in the image in the link you sent, it is similar to a HOB. I was told to drill and plumb a HOB in the same way, but my main concern is that the flow rate of the HOB will not match the return pump.

 

What if I use two pumps then? One in the tank to pump water out of the tank and in to the sump and then one in the sump to pump water back into the tank? That way I can get two identical pumps with the same flow rate.

 

You really dont want 2 pumps, a pump pumping water out the tank sounds like a disaster waiting to happen , if the power goes out it will still form a syphon out the tank and if your return pump is off your tank will drain . Matching 2 pumps is near impossible even with 2 identical pumps as ones pumping up and ones pumping down . Head height will effect the return pump and flow will decrease. You want something like an overflow box and let gravity do the work for you .

 

Honestly, I would consider stripping the tank and drilling. It might sound like a hassle, but it’s safer and cheaper than overflow boxes. I recommend drilling 2 holes, one as a main drain and another as backup drain. Using a gate valve, you can match the flow of the main drain to the return pump to get silent operation. Go google drain types in aquariums, for example herbie overflow. You will also want a small weir in the aquarium to keep your fishes from getting sucked in.
Alternatively, here is an image of a overflow box. I just worry about them, because there a VERY SMALL chance that the siphon can break during a power outage and cause a flood. It’s a small risk, but still possible...

 

I use a stockman standpipe in my overflow and a modified reverse durso in the sump to stop it sounding like a washing machine lol

 

I'm not very good when it comes to sumps but on Saturday I went to the local dump in Kensington and there was a most complicated looking sump someone had discarded,looked brand new fittings and all.will go see if its still there.

 

Thank you for the guidance.

 

By the looks of it.. Drilling is inevitable.

 

What canister are you currently running?