Sump help

Ok so I have a 60g tank that I can not drill so what some options to get to a sump tank. Also how big of a tank do I need for a sump. And what needs to go inside of the sump I would love any diy ideas

 

Im building a 75 and am using a 55 i got for free for the sump but alot of people use 20 longs for sumps

 

I had a 20 long on my 72G BOWFRONT. It worked wonderfully. But the rule of thumb is "as big as you can fit in the stand or afford"... The bigger ones provide more water volume and stability for your tank.

 

A sump is just a spot to place all the equipment that you wouldn't want to have in your display tank. I agree with the above post about getting as big as you can fit. I went with two ten gallon tanks since they fit easily under my stand. One is a refugium where I'm raising copepods and macro algae, and the other is the sump where my equipment is.

As far as getting the water to your sump tank, the cheapest that I found is just a simple PVC overflow. Works well, has been reliable so far, and you can make it yourself for about 20 bucks.

- This is a great video that helped me to understand how the water is actually transported over the edge of the tank without being a full on syphon. May be helpful to you when making your decision. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEbpLEkJsRs&feature=related The white pvc overflow that he shows is what I used.

There is also an overflow box which are usually made out of acrylic. They look better than the pvc but are a bit more expensive. You can also build one of these if you have a little know how with acrylic.

Hope this helps.

 

the link for the pvc overflow didnt post can you re post

 

done

 

most people's sump is usually smaller then the main tank; for example, if u have a 55 gallon tank, then maybe a 20 or 29 gallon could work for a sump. in it you can have stuff like a protein skimmer, and u can keep macroalgae or maybe raise copepods if you keep a dragonet

 

mines only as big as it is because its all i had and by no means the way to go but i have seen a 40 breeder with a 75 gallon sump because of the needs of the tank.

my best advise get what you think is right for you and look at other peoples examples.

P.S. you can use a ruber maid container and it works well

 

I like the rubbermaid idea so when the flow comes from the main tank does it go directly into the skimmer power head

 

Heh sounds like how I started.



Was just two trash cans I cut down to size. My overflow came in on the left into a bunch of filter floss and had my cheato in that left can, heaters in the right return pump in the right.

This is where I'm at now but plan on another actual tank on the right.



This picture is a little old I have a different light but thats the general idea of mine. Whenever I get a protein skimmer It will sit in the right.