Building my first sump questions

Hello,

I just acquired a new 29 gallon tank. My current tank is 10 gallons so I was thinking that I would convert that into a sump for my new tank. I will have about 30 pounds of dry base rock seeded with a few pieces of live rock along with about an inch of dead sand. I want to have fish, some coral, and anemone as well eventually.

I am looking on some advice in setting up the compartments for my sump. In my sump I would like to have a protein skimmer, some media (have no idea which type of media to use..maybe bio balls?), and a refugium. What would recommendations be for doing this keeping in mind it is only a 10 gallon sump. What would be a good protein skimmer for this setup and is there going to be enough space in this sump for all the items that I want? Any advice woud be greatly appreciated.

 

Well, I suggest first picking out the skimmer since it will likely take up the most real estate. Then you can figure how much room is left for other things, like a refugium. Also need to account for a return pump area, unless you're going to run it inline. Some skimmers have the pumps directly underneath which helps save a little space. I'm sure somebody here has a 10G sump and can steer ya in a more precise direction

 

Thanks for the input. Interesting...so if I'm reading this correctly, there are some protein skimmers that may have a return pump built in? That would be optimal as I am finding out very quickly that there is not much space in 10 gallon sump...

As far as filter media? Say I don't go with a refugium, my understanding is, there is some sort of filter sock that the overflow water runs into to remove larger particles from getting into the sump...then the water runs directly into the protein skimmer? Or should there be some other type of filtration before the protein skimmer, such as bio balls or carbon?

 

For that size tank I would save yourself a lot of time and headache and go with a HOB skimmer/fuge combo. I have one on my 29 gallon and it works like a charm, didn't cost very much either! Just my $0.02!

 

Look at the Tunze 9002 or other available nano skimmers. They don't take up too much room. Most of them have the skimmer pump integrated within the body. You'll need a separate return pump. As far as media goes, if you have room for a reactor in your stand I'd go that way. Alternately, look into Purigen and/or Chemipure Elite. You can get them in a bag and stuff 'em somewhere in your sump where the water will have to flow through (rather than around).

 

I've got a 29.
My 10 gal sump is made and ready to go once I decide on an overflow (and buy a return pump!)
I plan on still using my AquaC remora hang on skimmer - it'll just be hanging off my sump.
There are a handful of hangon skimmers that are great.

What type of overflow you going with?

 

I was planning on building my own PVC overflow based off of a few videos I was watching on youtube. Basically it would be a compromise between drilling the tank and avoiding an hob overflow as I am scared if the power goes out, the siphon will break leaving me with and overflowed tank.

Not sure if it is OK to post the link or not, but the instructions are at:

HOW TO: DIY Aquarium Overflow - YouTube

What are your thoughts on going about it that way?

Not sure if I should make two so I can have a redundant one in case one gets clogged. Could I theoretically also use a hang on filter that I already have as well and just hang it onto the back of the sump instead of the main tank?

 

There isn't much room in a 20g for compartments. How much space do you have under your stand? You could always make 2 compartments for your 10g, 1 for cheato and one for the return pump. Then get a recirculating skimmer. Plumb the recirculating skimmer into your return line and put it over the sump (so if it does over flow, it drains into the sump). This isn't a bad setup and will buy you some real estate, if your set on using the 10g.

 

May you saw this type of really awesome DIY overflow?

http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/non-drilled-tank-alternatives-my-diy-overflow-140523.html

PLease ask if any questions

 

That is a pretty nice overflow! I pretty much added too much stuff at this point to do any drilling at the moment...I don't want to drill into a tank with water, rock, and sand in it at the moment so that may be a great solution for me.

I like how it was designed so that no fish or anything else can get in with the water.

You mentioned you got your check valve from walmart? Do you think they would have them at a home depot or a lowes? I am planning on going there tonight to pick up some materials.