Sump idea

[Joe Fish]

I am thinking about setting up a cheap sump. I do not have room under neath my tank so I'm to just put a rubbermaid garbage can or something in the room next to the tank. I'm probably just going to make a overflow box. When it comes to water pumps I do not know too much. What brands are good and what specs do I need? The water would have to be pumped up about 5' or so will a bend or two. Any other info would help too. I'm assuming the water can back flow if the power goes out so I do I make sure that doesn't happen?

 

[Mahamotorworks]

What pumps boil down to is the amout of Head that you need. Head Defined. The Height that the water will travel under the power of the pump. With a 5' rise you will need to have a good pump. I have been looking for a Page that has the Specs on the Mag Drive Pumps. You will also need to include a siphon brake.

I will find the Page and Post it here.

MAHA

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

a garbage can probably wont work too well as a sump, something clear would probably be easier, incase something decides to go sump surfing. you will probably need a pretty powerful pump. id say about 6-7 feet of heads to make up for the bends slowing water flow.to keep it from back siphining, you drill a hole in the return just below the water line, that way if the power goes out, the water goes down a little, and badda bing, badda bom, the siphon breaks.

 

[Mahamotorworks]

I cant find the one I had a while ago. This one Pondmaster Magnet Drive Utility Pumps / Gina's Aquarium Supply Shows the Shut off height. This is the height that the pump will not be able to Pump any water.

It is better to have a pump too big then having to buy a second one. You can always restrict the flow.

MAHA

 

[Joe Fish]

Thanks for the link. I'm looking to use a garbage can as a temporary sump solution. I figure it's better than nothing.

I'll have to remember to put a hole in the tube.

 

[Lorna]

Joe rather than a garbage can look for a rubbermaid tote......they are a better shape and you can put baffles in them also....I actually tossed around the idea of a largish tote with a smaller tote inside with holes cut into the sides to work as a refugium.....all in all you are probably looking at needing a mag 9.5 or higher.....and a good overflow box rated about 600gph.....

MagDrive 950gph Water Pump: Premium Aquatics

 

[Joe Fish]

That's a pretty good idea. I just might have to try that. Just what are baffles? I do want my fuge visible so I'm going to keep it where it is for now.

 

[Limi310]

Baffles are pieces of arcylic that keep the separate compartments in a sump/fuge. They also help reduce microbubbles getting back into the tank.
As far as pumps the Mag drives get very good reviews. Danner Supreme Mag-Drive Aquarium Water Pump/Powerhead
Check ebay I just got a new mag7 for $40

This is also a good read: Melevsreef.com - What is a Sump?

 

[Dadstank]

This should have most if not ALL the info you need for a sump....this guy knows his shhhtuff

Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

 

[TheFool]

I would go for a used tank - a scratched acrylic tank should be pretty cheap and makes a perfect sump.
As far as sump pumps go look for reliability - the cheapos can burn out really, really fast. I have a Tunze, eheim is good too, that the sort of quality level to look for

 

[1979camaro]

mag-drives are really good pumps too

 

[Joe Fish]

I was looking about totes today. Just how would you put a baffle in there? You have to cut the sides at an angle.

 

[kevin4052002]

mag-drives are really good pumps too

I've held one of those Pondmaster's in my hands, we can get them at work if people really want them (or even know about them). They're the poor man's Mag-Drive, just a different impeller cover, thats all.

 

[Mushroomman]

Yep, out here we swear by pondmasters and mag-drives. Good pumps... for ponds or sump return.

 

[Lorna]

Joe, yes you need to cut it at an angle......that is why you would use plexiglass or acrylic....easy to cut.....for some....that is why I was going to go with a tote inside a tote

 

[TRe]

plexi glass is easy to cut you just score it then break it

 

[Joe Fish]

Plexi is cheaper than acrylic, right? I do have the means to cut them.

I was looking at a 50 gallon tote and it was only like 12 bucks. Think it's strong enough to hold the water?

 

[Lorna]

test it out and make sure the sides are strong enough.......some of them bow out when you put water in them. But they are relatively cheap.....so if you cut bulkheads and don't like them.......you get another tote..... make too many mistakes and then you would have been better off with an old tank.

scout out the peddlers post or other free mags with classified ads in them, you may be able to pick up an old used 20g to use......

 

[Joe Fish]

I might go garage sale in the spring.

 

[Toggil]

check out craigslist, I don't know if you're near buffalo but you can always find cheap tanks on there.