not really a sump but part of the filteration

[whodini]

i have a 90gal w/ heavy bio-load so have battling high nitrates. with silver dollars will eat all the plants if it were to be planted. So got an idea from my lfs ;
heavely plant my 30 gal tank and use my fluval 304, leave output in the 90 and install the input in the 30 , and connect the two tanks via a siphen hose.
I'm a paraniod about my tanks and if something is going to happen, it'll happen when i'm at work!!! My question is ..
Does anyone have/ideas of a DIY water level control system ?
Like if the power goes out and the siphen keeps siphening water and over flowing my 30 , or something gets stuck in the siphen tube and the fluval sucks all the water out of the 30 and overflowing the 90. or any variation happening.
i just need to know how it should be setup , and how much lower is the 30 gal then the 90gal water levels.
I would be setting up the 30 gal beside the 90gal

 

[Orion]

The idea you have is very workable. Basicly it's similar to setting up a refugeium (sp?) that the salties are used too.

I would look into useing an over flow to get the water out of the 90 and into the 30 instead of a filter. This will allow you to have better control over the intake and how much water will be leaving the 90. Then you could probably use the canister to put the water back into the 90 from the 30.

There are tons of DIY plans for sumps and over flows on the net. There are also a lot of pages that help you decide what is best for you, and how to setup the best system to overcome problems you may end up having.

I think this would be an excellent idea and you should really stick with it. It's not going to be the easiest thing in the world to setup, but in the long run probably worth it.

 

[Pure]

A much more simple plan would be to make an in-tank refugeium. I did this in my plant eating sev's 90. At your local grocery store you can find these clear 1 gal rubber-maid containers. I drilled large holes in a uniformed pattern up and down all sides of it. Mounted suction cups from an old heater to one side using stainless steal screws. The container is tall so i simply filled it with hornwort and put the cap on. Then placed it on it's side just under the water line on the right hand side of the tank under the light. Doesn't look bad at all and has done wonders for the nitrate level in this tank.