Going to add a sump need some help/info!

Hey everyone I hope your day is going well,
I want to add a sump to my 90 gal. So I have a few questions and I know this is the place.. So, I am going to need an overflow since my tank doens't have one. What size do you suggest? How about a return pump? I want to keep it as cost efficient as possible. Also I am using a canister fliter (Fluval 405) can I incorporate this in any way?

Thanks in advance 3reefers.

 

Well, your return pump has to match your OFB, flow wise. I personaly dont like canister filter, so I cant help you there. Your 90 didnt come with a over flow system already? Like either to the sides or in the middle, with two holes drilled, one 1" and the other 3/4" dia.

 

no overflows... it's an older tank.

 

If your tank isnt set up yet, find out if you can get it drilled. A drilled tank is so much better than those OF boxes, trust me, I had a OF box in one of my other tanks and I hated it. The usual cost of drilling is about $10-$15 per hole.

 

My tank has a built in overflow but I'm using an overflow box on my fuge (to go back into my separate sump). It has been up for a few months now with no problems. The thing about overflow boxes is just make sure you get one with a U-tube. The other ones are prone to losing their siphon in a power outage, the ones with a U-tube don't. Believe me I tested it over and over.

And you don't really have to worry about which return pump you buy because you overflow is only going to go as fast as your pump returns the water. It can't well drain more water than what is being fed to it, right?

And I agree that your cannister filter should be taken out of the equation.

 

Im sorry but I disagree. You cant put a 1800gph pump on a 600gph OFB. It would overflow the tank. The pump should match the OFB.

 

I'm a bit clueless on pumps, I've been reading up an dlooking at different types any recommendations? Also what about flow for this setup(GPH)?

 

Your going to have to do more research on the whole SW hobby. Pumps come internal and external applications. You need to know what kind of system you want or can afford. Do you want to have a wet/dry or a sump? A refugium or a algae filter? Or a combination of any two or more? Try this web site to help you understand a little bit more and how things work. Saltwater Aquarium Setup Guide

 

Haha well yea that is true. I should have qualified myself more. As long as your pump doesn't outdo your overflow you're fine. But you CAN get away with having a pump that doesn't push as much water as your overflow can handle. That's what I meant.

 

Ask Tangster. All you need to do, like what *I* did, is get a rubbermaid bin to serve as your sump. Setup an overflow such as this:

AQUARIUM OVERFLOW BOX FOR SUMP WET DRY 1100 GPH NEW - eBay (item 130201661036 end time Feb-27-08 17:22:11 PST)

or this:

AQUARIUM OVERFLOW BOX FOR SUMP WET DRY 1500 GPH NEW - eBay (item 130201407316 end time Feb-28-08 17:34:23 PST)

Then buy a pump to return it from the rubbermaid bin back into the tank. Usually via cheap PVC tubing that you can buy at Home Depot (again, this is how mine is setup and so that's why I'm recommending it). Here are some pumps:

Supreme Danner Mag-drive 9.5 Pump Aquarium 950 gph NEW - eBay (item 260214072575 end time Mar-02-08 17:00:31 PST)
Supreme Danner Mag-drive 7 Pump Aquarium 700 gph NEW - eBay (item 260214073788 end time Mar-02-08 17:06:16 PST)