DIY Sump for 2 2ft by 1 ft by 1.5 ft tank.

[David Moses Heng]

If you want to have 2 tanks filtered by a single sump and a pump, a multi tier setup is ideal. You'll need, depending on the flow of the water, 2 to 4 overflow pipe. I will try to find the link to show the picture so that you would understand. Be right back.

Sorry but i don't really get the picture... Do you think you can do the modification on my attached pictures?

[BFG]

The setup will be a 3 tier setup. Tank A is at the top while tank B is in the middle. Tank C, the sump will be at the lower end of the tier.

Setup A- From the sump, water is pushed up to Tank A and Tank B. You could use a tee from the pipe to feed water into the 2 tank simultaneously. Using the diy overflow, each tank will feed the water back to the sump.

Advantage- The water flow will be gentle when coming into Tank A & B as the flow is split into 2. You'll need 2 diy overflow (depending on the amount of water flow each diy can take ). If you wish to add co2, both tank might have equal amount as it came from a single source ( an external reactor perhaps ).

Disadvantage-?


Setup B- From the sump, water is pushed up to Tank A alone. The water from Tank A will then drain into tank B. From Tank B, water will drain down to the sump.

Advantage-???

Disadvantage- Water entering into Tank A might be a tad turbulent though. The water will 'gush' down into Tank B as the flow will be consistence. If you would want to use co2, Tank A will have more of co2 than Tank B as the water gushing into Tank B will dissipate the co2 ( from the external reactor ). You would need 2 diy overflow for each Tank A and B and that is a total of 4. Fearing that a single diy overflow might not cope, a 2nd one might be needed.


This 2 suggestion is what I can come up with. Certain area can be replaced with some other equipment ie external reactor to an internal co2 diffuser perhaps? But you have to calculate the cost on your own regarding the purchase of some item. But bear in mind, use the KISS method. Hope this helps!

[bossteck]

Hi altum-lover,

Sorry, I do not know the price of the eheim pump, but I find the adjustable flow-rate a great feature. Perhaps other readers here can advise.

[David Moses Heng]

The setup will be a 3 tier setup. Tank A is at the top while tank B is in the middle. Tank C, the sump will be at the lower end of the tier.

Setup A- From the sump, water is pushed up to Tank A and Tank B. You could use a tee from the pipe to feed water into the 2 tank simultaneously. Using the diy overflow, each tank will feed the water back to the sump.

Advantage- The water flow will be gentle when coming into Tank A & B as the flow is split into 2. You'll need 2 diy overflow (depending on the amount of water flow each diy can take ). If you wish to add co2, both tank might have equal amount as it came from a single source ( an external reactor perhaps ).

Disadvantage-?


Setup B- From the sump, water is pushed up to Tank A alone. The water from Tank A will then drain into tank B. From Tank B, water will drain down to the sump.

Advantage-???

Disadvantage- Water entering into Tank A might be a tad turbulent though. The water will 'gush' down into Tank B as the flow will be consistence. If you would want to use co2, Tank A will have more of co2 than Tank B as the water gushing into Tank B will dissipate the co2 ( from the external reactor ). You would need 2 diy overflow for each Tank A and B and that is a total of 4. Fearing that a single diy overflow might not cope, a 2nd one might be needed.


This 2 suggestion is what I can come up with. Certain area can be replaced with some other equipment ie external reactor to an internal co2 diffuser perhaps? But you have to calculate the cost on your own regarding the purchase of some item. But bear in mind, use the KISS method. Hope this helps!

Wow... Profound...

will give it a try but i think not feasable as i'm doing planted for both thanks.

I think i will stick to the one sump per tank as suggested by BT.

[David Moses Heng]

Hi altum-lover,

Sorry, I do not know the price of the eheim pump, but I find the adjustable flow-rate a great feature. Perhaps other readers here can advise.

Thanks for your advice. will check out the price at 328 later.

[David Moses Heng]

I'm back! Here is the link to a diy overflow. Read through the thread.

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/inde...howtopic=12846

Bro BFG, Just a question... can this overflow pipe that i see be use for the set up that i have in mind? I was reading through all the posting there and saw the buzz that tthis apparatus created. Might be good for marine but planted? Can advise?

[bossteck]

Hi altum-lover,

Back to basics.
The advantages of having a sump system are
1. Allows for a larger volume of water which is always a good thing.
2. Allows you to hide some of your equipment, such as co2 reactor
3. Allows for more filter media + easier to change these media as compared to say a cannister filter.
4. coupled with a overflow system, it eliminates the need for a surface skimmer. (the answer to your qn to BFG)

The disadvantages I have read about
1. Greater CO2 loss if there is excessive splashing
2. Need for more frequent water top up, else the pump will start to take in air
3. If not well designed, higher changes of flooding

Perhaps before embarking full steam on your DIY project, try to consider if the benefits outweighs the disadvantages. Why would you choose a sump system (knowing that it is not really suitable for planted tanks) over say an internal filter? After all, we are talking about a 2ft tank, most internal filter or cannister filters should be sufficient to support it. Just my views.

Having said this, I gathered you're someone who enjoys DIY, so if you really decide to go ahead... remember to take pics and post them here!

[David Moses Heng]

Hi altum-lover,

Back to basics.
The advantages of having a sump system are
1. Allows for a larger volume of water which is always a good thing.
2. Allows you to hide some of your equipment, such as co2 reactor
3. Allows for more filter media + easier to change these media as compared to say a cannister filter.
4. coupled with a overflow system, it eliminates the need for a surface skimmer. (the answer to your qn to BFG)

The disadvantages I have read about
1. Greater CO2 loss if there is excessive splashing
2. Need for more frequent water top up, else the pump will start to take in air
3. If not well designed, higher changes of flooding

Perhaps before embarking full steam on your DIY project, try to consider if the benefits outweighs the disadvantages. Why would you choose a sump system (knowing that it is not really suitable for planted tanks) over say an internal filter? After all, we are talking about a 2ft tank, most internal filter or cannister filters should be sufficient to support it. Just my views.

Having said this, I gathered you're someone who enjoys DIY, so if you really decide to go ahead... remember to take pics and post them here!

Hi BT, in fact i was thinking whether should i stick to a canister filter or just porceed with the project. Taken into consideration that the project may not work but i thought since i have got all the time in the world impending my ROD and the launch of my company, why not get myself busy with ideas hoping that people out there who wants to have a planted in the home/office but can't afford the start up cost may benefit from my crazy ideas. So hopefully one day my idea, if it works, can help to promote this God Given hobby to people across all income level. Sounds very noble yes but i just want to do my part in helping to spread the passion and knowledge(which i may not have a lot) for this beautiful hobby.

Cheers!!

[BFG]

Altum Lover76, the setup can be used for planted tank. Setup A is ideal as the water will drain back to the sump and the water there would be replenish with co2 by the co2 reactor. The overflow pipe in the link I provided IS meant to be used for your setup, that's why I showed the link in your thread. You will not have to drill the existing tank that you have.

[David Moses Heng]

Altum Lover76, the setup can be used for planted tank. Setup A is ideal as the water will drain back to the sump and the water there would be replenish with co2 by the co2 reactor. The overflow pipe in the link I provided IS meant to be used for your setup, that's why I showed the link in your thread. You will not have to drill the existing tank that you have.

thanks BFG.

[David Moses Heng]

Altum Lover76, the setup can be used for planted tank. Setup A is ideal as the water will drain back to the sump and the water there would be replenish with co2 by the co2 reactor. The overflow pipe in the link I provided IS meant to be used for your setup, that's why I showed the link in your thread. You will not have to drill the existing tank that you have.

Question now is then how big will the sump hav to be?

[BFG]

The sump can be the same size of the tank, the only thing is that the water in the sump must not be full or even 3/4 full of water. It should only occupy about half of the height of the sump during operation.

One more thing, the outlet of the tube in each tank must be slightly under the water level in Tank A and B. There must be a small hole punctured at the outlet tube so that this hole will kill the suction created by the hose/piping when the pump is switched off.

The above suggestion is currently being used in my marine setup with only a tank and a sump. You are welcomed to have a look at my setup and we could have an in-depth discussion about your new setup. I can even show you what normally happen when the return pump is switched off and the inner working of a sump. I am usually at home by 8pm.


Hope this helps!

[David Moses Heng]

The sump can be the same size of the tank, the only thing is that the water in the sump must not be full or even 3/4 full of water. It should only occupy about half of the height of the sump during operation.

One more thing, the outlet of the tube in each tank must be slightly under the water level in Tank A and B. There must be a small hole punctured at the outlet tube so that this hole will kill the suction created by the hose/piping when the pump is switched off.

The above suggestion is currently being used in my marine setup with only a tank and a sump. You are welcomed to have a look at my setup and we could have an in-depth discussion about your new setup. I can even show you what normally happen when the return pump is switched off and the inner working of a sump. I am usually at home by 8pm.


Hope this helps!

Where are you putting up?