DIY Sump Costs

So I'm in the process of building my sump (finally after 5 freakin years!). I got a 20Gal tank for free awhile back and am using that.

Anyways maybe it's just the way I'm doing it, but I'm finding out that building your own sump isn't quite as inexpensive as I thought.

Here's a breakdown of my costs:

Overflow Box/Prefilter (no way I could build this one on my own) - $50
Mag-Drive 7 return pump - $69
Materials from Home Depot (PVC, couplings, ball valves, acrylic panes, tools, etc.) - $44
Aquarium Sealant - $13
Refugium Light - $34

That puts me at $210 already! :Halloween39: I still need to buy sand and cheato or whatever for my fuge.

How much has YOUR DIY sump cost?

 

im interested in doing one its taken me around 5 years too , guess these things take time

 

i used my 29 gallon tank that i moved from to my 55 gallon reef ready tank that came with its pluming new.i also used my light from it and only turn on one of the 2 pc bulbs.so i just had to buy a pump,quietone for $60 new.$4 for tube of clear seelant,$15 for acrylic dividers,$12 for hose,upgraded my heater $30.already had the skimmer,$14 for chaetto .another $20 for things like elbos,couplings and pluming stuff.if you buy a sump,your still going to have to buy alot of that stuff.i've never seen a sump sold with all the pluming,light,pump,heater,skimmer,all in one.i'm sure someone can give you some chaetto or caulerpa free.i would if i was'nt so far.i just through out a gallon bucket of chaetto and in another month or so will be throwing out some more.if it gets crowded it dies.

 

I picked up a 75g tank that I use for my sump. I built my own internal OF and use a HammerHead to return the water. I also have an additional 30g tank I use for a fuge. With the pump and all I was over the $400 mark.

 

I have a question. I know how to manage my return piping should my power go off to prevent it from siphoning too much back into my sump. However, what can I do to prevent my pump from running dry should my overflow siphon stop for some reason? Or is that just a risk we all take? Because I cannot even imagine what I could do to "tell" the pump to turn off if my overflow siphon gets cut off somehow :Halloween44::Halloween44:

 

I have another couple of questions, actually. That's what happens when you think and think and think some more about a project like this.

What kind of macroalgae do you generally use in your fuge? There are several different types, can I just get some of each and will they co-exist peacefully? Which one has been the most beneficial in your experience? Which ones are most readily available at the LFS (I never paid any attention since I never needed any).

Also, I know some LFSs (even PetSmart) sell bags of live sand. If I bought that for the fuge, would it trigger a new cycle at all? I highly doubt it, but even after 5 years there are things I'm still learning about. What about aragonite as a substitution?

Should I even bother with LR rubble in the fuge?

Thanks in advance!!

 

My sump cost 50.00 it is just a old 40 gallon breeder people love to over do their sumps lol Baffles and weirs and air traps .. Why ? it beats me I have never used anything but a container of some type and a pump Rube Goldberg I guess is what most come up with .. I have a sump to build now acrylic and will cost more then most peoples main tanks.. It amazes me how a simple concept can be so overly thought LOL

 

Well the sump is already built and ready to go so it doesn't matter now. What about my other questions?

 

yeah a sump can be a rubbermade container with a clamp on light a pump,skimmer and some plant life.

 

Sump was cheap. I bought a 45gal tank for $80, cut some glass I had to make baffles $5 for silicon. However my return pump was $350 + skimmer $250, heater $25, Light $60, Auto Top Off $80. Some plumbing $30. So it depends what you include as your sump