DIY Sump

Discussion in 'Anything DIY related' started by Mavrickfdt, Dec 23, 2009.

  1. Mavrickfdt

    Mavrickfdt

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    Hi All.

    Just a quick question, I want to start a Marine aquarium, Fish and Live rock if I can.

    It is 200lt tank the Dimensions are L-108cm X W-43.5cm X H-43.8cm.
    I have a spare standard 3 foot tank that I want to use as a Sump, but I need to have an idea of how big to make the compartments in the sump.

    That is if the 3 foot tank will work as a sump?

    Does anybody have any idea or plans for a sump like this?
    I am not sure what filtering I would need so the more advise I can get the better?
     
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  3. Wimpie

    Wimpie

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    The 3 foot would be an ideal size sump as it almost doubles the tank volume. Preferably media to be used in a marine sump is bio-balls, filter floss (See if you can get matala sheets instead), DSB(Deep sand bed) with a protien skimmer which is the most essential for a marine setup.

    3 Compartments will be adequate but try not to restrict the flow too much as Corals prefer a current inside the tank.

    1st Compartment - Bio-balls with your filter floss or matala sheets on top
    2nd Compartment - DSB (This can even be a refugium)
    3rd Compartment - Protein Skimmer, Heater and return pump to tank

    Hope this helps
     
  4. Reafer

    Reafer

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    u can try MASA, TASA's sister site for marine systems
     
  5. OP
    Mavrickfdt

    Mavrickfdt

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    Thanks a lot RuanM for the advice, so I can just split the 3 foot tank in 3 equal compartments and set it up like you said on top?

    But I will go and read on MASA as well.

    I most probably have to get the tank drilled as well right, maybe to setup a over flow into the sump, or is there another easier/cheaper way?
     
  6. Wimpie

    Wimpie

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    You get overflow boxes which you can attach to the side of the tank, but please dont use any siphoning techniques as you will flood your sump. I prefer to drill a hole and have the overflow inside the tank.

    Check the attached image for a idea of how you can design your sump, even though it has 4 stages...the heater and Protein skimmer can be added to the last stage to save the wasted space which can rather go for good use by extending the deep sand bed(DSB).

    SUMP10.jpg
     
  7. Dolphin

    Dolphin

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