How to make a sump with everything for under $75

You want about 100 gph @ however many feet up to the tank, so a pump that does 250GPH is about what you're looking for if it's about 5 feet. A MaxiJet 1200 would be perfect IMO. It still needs a ball valve on the line so you can turn it down.

You won't put this on the side of your tank, either. The pump goes down in the sump, and pumps water up to the tank. This is the return line, as in it returns water from the sump to the tank. Water going from the tank to sump is handled by the overflow.

 

The nano sets on a pedestal type stand.Would that not work if he built a stand lower than the level of his stand so the top of the sump tank would be lower than the top of the stand?I'm asking because i'm thinking of doing the same at some point.

 

I found this on craigslist:
Eurofil Slim 7 Gallon Sump, Eshopps Overflow Box , Quiet One 3000 Pump, & all plumbing needed

Is it worth $150?

 

That was a quick find,depending on the condition,I would probably pick it up,but what matters is if you feel it's worth it.

 

it looks pretty nice. Will that be big enough though. It sounds pretty small

 

It doesn't matter where the sump is located, as long as it's lower than the tank (otherwise it's not a sump). I took "on the side of my tank" to mean "pump water out of the DT to the sump".

BTW, "all plumbing included" is absolutely false, unless he had the tank in the same exact location you plan on having yours. You'll need to plumb part of it yourself.

 

So what else would I need for it plumbing wise?

 

I dunno, I don't know what's included in that package. Maybe vinyl tubing and barb clamps, maybe PVC pipe and cement, maybe some assorted fittings...

Doing it from scratch, you always need PVC (usually of two different sizes), PVC cement, some various fittings (which ones depend on exact install), maybe vinyl tubing, teflon tape and some barb fittings (easier to install in most cases where the tank is already running, but more expensive).

PVC and accessories are super cheap, though. Literally, I could've plumbed my whole tank up for about $15 if I didn't go the vinyl route, or if I installed a sump/fuge before I ever set up the tank.

Put up a link if they have a good picture of what's included, and I'll take a look.