Anyone Diy Sump Filter?

[Marc]

Has anyone here built their own sump filter?

I have a couple of spare 2ft tanks I am considering turning into a sump but still haven't found any decent plans / ideas online.

[joz]

Has anyone here built their own sump filter?

I have a couple of spare 2ft tanks I am considering turning into a sump but still haven't found any decent plans / ideas online.[/b]

Before you go down that line of work.Does you'r tank have an overflow.
If yes,then you'd have to make sure the sump has enough volume to take enough water should the sump pump stop/fail.If not you'll have an overflow.

From what I can tell with my 8'er,when the pump stops(power out)it needs alot of space to take the excess.

[leongross]

Watch out too for siphoning if using just hoses. A small hole made in the uptake pipe just below the water line can save a lot of damage! It will break the siphon if the pumps fail...

[Marc]

Good points. My big tank has no overflow or stand pipes. I do however know someone who can drill glass onsite so I was contemplating it on the next rebuild. Might not be worth the hassle.

I was considering building in a side filter alternatively, or doing away with the canisters and replacing them with one large canister (Fluval FX-5) looks nice.

[joz]

Side/back drop filters work very well and if driven via air uplifts are quite economical to run.
unfortunately they use up valuable tank real estate and are not the most ideal visually.

[joz]

Good points. My big tank has no overflow or stand pipes. I do however know someone who can drill glass onsite so I was contemplating it on the next rebuild. Might not be worth the hassle.

I was considering building in a side filter alternatively, or doing away with the canisters and replacing them with one large canister (Fluval FX-5) looks nice.[/b]

IMO,it's wiser to use multiple cannisters rather just one large unit even if you may think it looks impressive.Only because when a mechanical failure happens,all of your filtration doesn't go all at once.Same for heating,use multiple units than just one big unit.
This way your tank can limp along till another unit is in place.

[leongross]

IMO,it's wiser to use muliple cannisters rather just one large unit even if you mat think it looks impressive.Only because when a mechanical failure happens,all of your filtration doesn't go all at once.Same for heating,use multiple units than just one big unit.
This way your tank can limp along till another unit is in place.[/b]

Excellent advice! Another reason for two smaller heaters instead of one big one is that the thermostats can fail resulting in overheating; a lot less likely with a smaller heater.

[joz]

Excellent advice! Another reason for two smaller heaters instead of one big one is that the thermostats can fail resulting in overheating; a lot less likely with a smaller heater.[/b]
Exactly,most people like the bigger the better approach.
But as much as I am for overkill aswell,I'd prefer the more the better.
Because you know when things fail it always seems to be after hours when everything is closed.
So unless you carry spares and are aware of the failure straight away,IMO its always better to have the system not relying on one heater or filter.
Especially if you go away for the weekend.You'd hate to see all your fish either frozen or cooked or suffocatting in a non oxygenated tank.
Also say if you manage to resart your cannister after it being down for two days,and the fish survived,but unless you totally washout the filter medium your tank will become toxic.
Either way you have a non functioning bacterial filter.

It may also pay to have an external inline pump as a spare,this way you can attach it to any cannister that has failed just by splicing into the tubing,plug it in and of you go.

[kme023]

Hi guys, yes i made my sump, it's too dark to go take photos now as it lives outside.
I found that the tank inside was noisy and messy, so i ran the supply and return lines out through the wall to a position just outside. this works fine but be careful of the whipper snipper throwing stones at it and breaking the sides! (damn)
the basic principle was good but I'm trying to come up with a better design.
This one doesn't quite have enough room for the filters and pumps required to get the water back and thru the protien skimmer.
The siphoning effect was on my mind but didn't give it a thought until our first power outage. the skimmer stops water at it's level but because the hose from the filter to the tank is below the water line, it just self siphoned back into the sump and overflowed every where. Again lucky it was out side.
to rectify this, all that is needed is a small hole near the water line in the tank, in the return hose.
Post pics shortly.

[Marc]

Good idea outside I guess if you have a permanent arrangement.

Would be interested to see pics mitch :)

[joz]

Just a thought,as winter approaches it will be much harder to keep the tank warm with a significant part of it outside(sump)

[kme023]

It's actually harder to keep cool.??

but for the persistent colds, there is three heaters. 2 in the tank 1 in the sump.

The sump is on a easterly wall of the house in full sun, with a cover of tin and wood sides. Mainly to stop stray stones.

The outside works for me as i will never move the tank (carpet is missing where the the divider wall used to be ) and i hate the noise when your trying to "enjoy the serenity".......or watch tv.

the pics will have to wait to the weekend as i'm off to perth early in the morn and i haven't got the battery fixed on the digital camers yet.

[mac_man_luke]

A good quality canister filter should be silent, i know my eheim is

[kme023]

My canister is silent, but when i had the reef under the tank in the cupboard and the bubbler vibrating away combined with the muffled trickling of water and hum of the pumps..... it just got to much.