Best DIY sump design
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65667
Printed Date: October 06 2025 at 8:42am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Best DIY sump design
Posted By: DMower
Subject: Best DIY sump design
Date Posted: July 23 2013 at 5:54pm
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I decided to make my own sump for my new tank. I located a used 50 gallon that will work. I don't have a stand yet but likely the inside dimensions will be 15 inches wide. The display is a 150 gallon tank with dual corner overflows. It looks like one inch inner diameter drains. The 50 gallon tank that I plan on getting is 4 feet long and 13 inches wide. Approximately 19-20 inches tall. I have never had a sump on a tank before so I checked the internet for sump options. I found many baffle installation designs. Which one is best? Requirements: place for two drains to pass through filter socks, section for skimmer, place for 2 heaters, largest refugium section possible, section for return pump. I am leaning towards a magdrive 12 for my return pump and split the plumbing to run to both returns. Options? Skimmer? unknown. I was looking at the bubble magus curve 7 at The Aquarium. Any input is appreciated. Thanks! ------------- 150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues. |
Replies:
Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: July 23 2013 at 6:19pm
| If you want to come see mine I built out of a 40 breeder you are more then welcome and I will help you build it if you need help. You would just need the acrylic peices and I can cut them to the size you want....mine seems great to me, 3 sections (inlet and skimmer, refugium, return pump) and into the return pump section has a bubble trap |
Posted By: DMower
Date Posted: July 23 2013 at 6:29pm
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badfinger, How did you secure the inlets and filter socks? Why acrylic vs glass? Thanks! ------------- 150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues. |
Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: July 23 2013 at 6:52pm
| Inlets aren't "secured" but that parts easy, mine just hang but havnt had an issue on my last tank in 3 years. ....I have a 40breeder so its glass. I chose acrylic baffles cause I am able to cut them with tools I have |
Posted By: 96slowbra
Date Posted: July 23 2013 at 6:59pm
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look at tyler's website and see how his sumps are built. it one of the most common setups with a fuge %20" rel="nofollow - http://www.elite-aquatics.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=37&product_id=5 ------------- 105 rimless |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: July 24 2013 at 7:51am
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Disclaimer: This is my opinion and my experience with doing this set up. It is not intended to force anyone to do it my way but only to give information and ideas on how it might be done. Aloha Darren, I agree with what you said about wanting the "largest Refugium section possible." Is this going to have sand or just bare bottom with algae? I would do a sand bed of 2" Oolitic with a 1/2" crushed coral top layer. I would place the Mag Drive return pump on a pedestal on top of the sand and also set the Skimmer on the sand. This tank sounds like it may be a standard 55 which is 21" tall, but even at 19" there is plenty of water depth for the equipment and still enough height for the water to drain when the pump stops. The drain line would lead into a filter sock which would prevent disturbance of the sandbed. The skimmer would be placed next, just downstream from the drain/filter sock. This design would allow the entire 4' tank to be a Refugium. I would make the stand tall enough that there was at least 8" of opening above to get into and work in the Refugium. Below are pics of a setup I did with a 40 gal breeder, though it had no sand bed because the sand bed above was plenty. The pics were taken maybe 4 months after setup. A swamp cooler pump strainer placed upside down works great for the pedestal. with the pump sitting in another strainer to keep Macroalgae out. This strainer works great for placing media bags for AC, etc. next to the pump intake thereby avoiding the need for a media reactor. The Utah Rock was there to prepare it for mounting frags. It was later removed as the Refugium filled with Macroalgae. This was built for maximum efficiency/$. Mahalo and have fun, Mark  808-345-1049   ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Elite-Aquatics
Date Posted: July 24 2013 at 10:52am
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I wouldn't recommend acrylic for baffles in a glass tank. Acrylic will expand a slight bit when submerged in water over a period of time. If your baffles are a tight fit, it will break the tank sooner or later i have seen it happen many times. Having said that, if you do use acrylic cut the baffles so there is at least a 1/16th to an 1/8th inch gap on both sides and fill with silicone when you install them. Your chances of it breaking will be less. Glass is always a better choice though. ------------- Premium aquarium filtration! |
Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: July 24 2013 at 12:17pm
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I broke a glass tank with acrylic dividers ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: DMower
Date Posted: July 25 2013 at 5:12pm
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Well, I no longer need to build a sump. I found a used acrylic 45x16x16 (50 gallon) in excellent condition for a good price. Its a model the aquarium sells. I will just have to have the stand built slightly wider so that it will fit. Still need a skimmer and return pump. Any suggestions? What works fell for you? ------------- 150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues. |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: July 25 2013 at 5:24pm
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I really like the new CADlights pipeless skimmers. I am running the nano on my 29 gallon and have been getting great results. At work we're running one of the larger models (I believe the PLS-400 but it could be the PLS-300) and have been getting great results there as well. I would recommend the http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=56&products_id=260" rel="nofollow - PLS-200 for your setup. As for the return pump I would use a Mag 12, 18, or even the Mag 24. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |