Sump Question

[FishGeek]

I am setting up a 60G Long tank. It is going to become my new SW tank and the that is currently the SW is going to become the sump. Do you guys have any good websites and/or recomendations?? I have never done this before and I would like to do it right. Thanks in advance.

 

[1979camaro]

this is a good website...the question is, what are you curious about? are you just trying to understand the mechanics of the sump itself?

 

[FishGeek]

Yes. I want to know how to set one up. (I need a visual too.)

 

[1979camaro]

well, fundamentally, the idea behind the sump is simple: increase water volume by adding a secondary tank below the display. you will then drain water from the display down (gravity) and pump it back up from below

the first question to answer: is the tank you are planning to use this sump with drilled? or will you need a HOB overflow?

here are a couple good articles with pictures

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php

http://www.angelfire.com/ok/dog1/sumps.html

 

[lordroad]

Camaro, great article in that first link. Best info I've seen on sumps that's easy to understand. Thanks for posting it.

 

[FishGeek]

Thanks Camaro! No the tank is not drilled. (Unfortunately) I am going to have to do the overflow. I was wondering how it has worked for people? Also, by chance would a battery powered vaccuum work for getting the water from the inside box to the outside box (I was looking at the animation on the first website listed above when the thought came to me)??

 

[1979camaro]

you don't need anything to suck it through, it just works by the miracle of gravity

 

[FishGeek]

But I was reading that there is a chance that the hose might loose suction. Would this help with that?

 

[1979camaro]

no, it will create a major problem. the pump will make it very difficult to balance the flow between the overflow and the return. it is next to impossible to get two pumps returning and pulling down the same amount of water which will ultimately lead to a flood