Urgent help for sump/ref design
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Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11312
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Topic: Urgent help for sump/ref design
Posted By: Connie
Subject: Urgent help for sump/ref design
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 8:12am
Well I had another leak... I called Eric but they are to busy to get to it for a few days & since it will have to be built under the tank it will cost 500 to 600  so I am going to build my own. I am going to regional today & having them cut the pieces for me but I need help with the bottom. If the front to back is 50 x 14 and the sides are 16 x 14 how big do I have them cut the bottom?? I would like to use 1/2 inch so I thought the bottom would be 50 x 15. How horribly off am I?? ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Replies:
Posted By: bbeck4x4
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 8:31am
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Connie, How about the possibility of putting a 55 gallon tank or larger, in your basement and then just buying a larger pump to get the water back up to your main tank, IE no sump under the tank? A lot less money than a custom sump under the tank... Brian ------------- Family Portraits /Google trusted Photographer for Google Maps for Businesses |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 8:36am
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I never thought of that.... I like that idea alot. My basement is unfinnished and a return pump is alot less then the new sump/ref...... Keep the great ideas coming..... ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: Gahlenfr
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 10:11am
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It will sure help in reducing your floods upstairs on the beautiful wood floor that you have. You could go to cal ranch and pickup a 75+ g black stock tank for under $100 dollars and use it. You would not have to drill it because it is large enough to be the sump and refug. That is what I am doing in my basement. If you went with a rubbermaid brand, they already have an inch or so threaded outlet to drain the tub that you would use as the input to your pump for your return if you went with an external pump. Here is a url that shows what I am talking about. http://www.brusselsagri.com/farm_supplies/rubbermaid.htm - http://www.brusselsagri.com/farm_supplies/rubbermaid.htm |
Posted By: dnellans
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 10:51am
| if you aren't sold on the basement idea, i think $500-$600 is a very reasonable price to have to assemble a fairly large custom acrylic sump IN the stand... i can only imagine what a pain in the *ss assembling a sump in a stand would be. |
Posted By: ssilcox
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 10:58am
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I dont know how good of an idea it is to have a sump built into the stand. What if that sump leaked... ? |
Posted By: unixnum1
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 11:11am
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This is basically what I do in my system. However, remember to use a checkvalve. I bought a 1-1/2" from HD. I use a hammerhead that pumps 5000@4'head. At 8' I get around 3000g/hour. I have the water gravity feed down to a harge clear tupperwear with 3" of sand and full of mangroves and Macro. Then it gravity feeds down to a 55G tub that has sand and rock. It then goes up to the tank. I have my water top off, protein skimmer and calcium reactor all next to the tubs. It all works like a charm. Just remember to have enough reserve in the bottom tank to handle the water in the 2" drain pipe you will need. ------------- 220G with 30G sump, SPS/LPS. RoboTank Controller. ===================================== why am I always the stem? 
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Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 11:46am
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Thanks guys........ ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: smatney
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 1:13pm
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Connie - if you want any handyman help - you know Fred, he'll help if needed. ------------- Susan Matney Farmington, UT |
Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 1:45pm
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Connie, 500 to 600 bucks sounds like a lot for a custom sump! Yikes! Eric has raised his prices quite a bit! Ever consider using a standard glass tank with baffles for a sump? Your sump size sounds like a 55 gallon tank size. I run everything down into my basement, and yes, it does save the floor coverings upstairs. I haven't had one flood yet, and I run a sequence pump like Kevin. |
Posted By: jbruse
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 1:52pm
Connie this is what I had in my old house and it was great!! I actually used the big 175 gal ponds for out side as my sump they can be had for like $100. Helped to keep the water nice and cool all summer and when I had leaks it was in the unfinnished basement so not as big of a deal. ------------- -=J=- |
bbeck4x4 wrote:Posted By: Aquarium Creations
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 3:59pm
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For all who thinks the price is High, Acrylic is at a alltime high plus the labor to build this right in the stand, this will take about 4hrs to build,As for leaking it wouldn't happen we make sure things are built right. ------------- Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected] |
Posted By: bbeck4x4
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 10:37pm
Connie, I'll volunteer time to help with the process,  that way I can learn as I go, from what I have read a backflow preventer is a good idea but not to be relied upon, it is better just to have some room at the top of the sump for the water in the pipes.I have a 55 gallon tank that is sitting in the garage right now that needs some silicone to be totally leak free(it has one seam up near the top that was dripping) anyway you can have it if you want it. maybe to have a refugium in the middle before you hit a larger sump before the return going back up?????? ------------- Family Portraits /Google trusted Photographer for Google Maps for Businesses |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: March 30 2006 at 8:09am
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Brian your the best.... My husband took the day off yesterday and we got the acrylic and put it together. We went with 3/8 and I used enough glue to seal every tank in the valley... I am putting water in it tonight.... Cross your fingers ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 30 2006 at 1:19pm
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I've got mine crossed -------------  |
Posted By: Angel
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 5:30pm
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Connie, Did the sump end up in the basement or in the stand? I'm in the process of putting one in the unfinished basement (traded Eric a large tank). As much water as I spash around you'd think I was part duck! ------------- Connie Tooele |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 5:49pm
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I'd say in the stand since they made it out of acrylic. I hope it is going well. ------------- |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 6:22pm
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It is going very well. No leaks in the last 24 hours so..... Even good news, I found my snowflake eel in under the old sump and a fish that has been MIA for 6 months... There was a silver lining...... And the best part yet... Only $140.00 ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |
Posted By: dnellans
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 6:44pm
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how many gallons is it connie? $140 doesn't sounds like much when 3/8th acrylic is like $35 for a 3x4 sheet at home depot? did you find someplace cheaper? |
Posted By: Connie
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 7:02pm
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I went to regional and had them cut it out for me. It is 50 x 16 x 14 high. It has two dividers and included 2 types of glue & cutting fees. ------------- I have flying monkeys and I'm not afraid to use them. 180 gallon money pit that I love..... |