sump design

Hey tasa
What type of sump do I need for a 100cm x 50cm x 54cm tank

 

Anyone???????????

 

dude you dont really need a sump for this sized tank, you could go a 2foot sump if you really want to.

 

Hi There eco,

I built a sump this past weekend using the prof's design. See pic below.

You should also read the ffg article (http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?6105-Filtration-rates-flow-and-other-questions). It very informative and i read it myself before building mine. It will also explain the reason for one big compartment for filter media as apposed to many.

 

P.S, the sump isn't complete as yet. I will be putting a piece of perspex were the black line is in the middle compartment of the below pic.

 

@koganm - What size tank do you have and what size is this new sump you have built. I am thinking of going sump route on a big tank. I have heard tell that the sump should be at least 30% of tank water volume?

 

The tank is a standard 4 ft (120x45x45) and the sump is a 3 ft Tank (90x30x35).
I opted for a sump because IMO the filtration is better and it increases the volume of water making the setup more stable.

From the article that i referred to above, it doesnt have to be 30% of the total tank volume. it all depends on the flow rate of the water over the filter media.
Just remember thou that over filteration is never a bad thing and if the sump that is smaller than usual, then just get a higher rated return pump so more water can flow through the sump.

Hope this helps.

 

Great - thank you!

 

No problem dude

 

@koganm - Thanks for the link, I learned a lot from it.

 

Glad I could help Henk.

 

Just something to think about:
Aquariums are made from glass so you can see your fish. But sumps do not need to be transparent.
Glass has various disadvantages:
poor insulation.
expensive
breaks
Difficult to work with
Glass has no advantages as a sump.

A sump filter can effectively be constructed cheaply using plastic or even perspex. That has better insulating properties. Easier to work with, drill, etc. And won't break as easily.

My experience with my glass sump is this:
Broken lid when i put my elbow on it. (fixed with perspex replacement that took 5 minutes to fabricate from perspex I had laying around)
I really want to drill the sump for the overflow... very nervous about it and needs special tools. Plastic tank would take a few minutes to drill.
I have insulated the sump with polystyrene as my two 300W were struggling to get the temps up to 30C. After insulation temps went from 27 to 30C. And probably saved some mula on power.
I cut myself on a sharp edge to the tank.

 

I am just thinking out loud here - Is perspex cheaper than glass???

 

not in cape town that I no off.. builders is 220 for A M squared... that was the last time I looked.. wanted 2 make a snake cage from it..

 

Nope, Acrylic might be an option

 

I thought perspex would be more expensive - judging by the odd bit of perspex I have bought in the past - thanks guys

 

Perspex is way more expensive. Im using a 3ft tank as my sump. Will be completed this weekend.

 

If I was doing another sump i would be using something like the above with profs design. Possibly with two containers stacked to create an insulation gap. Not sure on prices though.