cheapest, most effective sump solution

warrenmichaels · 09/15/2019, 08:44 PM

I’ve been working on a project involving keeping abalone in a tank, with macro algae, rock, sand, and nothing else. Aesthetics aren’t important, only that the aquarium function properly. Unfortunately, the project has been on hold for some time, but now I’m starting to work on it a little bit again.

My problem is my sump. I had no desire to pay an outrageous sum for something to simply accommodate a protein skimmer and water backflow in case of a power outage. I didn’t want a hang on back skimmer, so I decided to make my own sump. I purchased a 20 Long Aquareon Tank, and drilled three holes in one of the long sides. Two were for water entrance, and one was for egress.

After buying and drilling this aquarium, it was brought to my attention that, even though the holes are spaced properly in relation to each other, and in relation to the edges of the tank, this is not an ideal solution, given the thinness of this tank’s glass. In order to avoid a catastrophic failure, I was planning to put the 20 Long tank inside of a plastic basin, with supports so than hoses aren’t hanging on the tank.

All of this seems like a pain, frankly. I’m thinking of getting a cheap commercially available sump, or else jerry-rigging something. I want to do the cheapest, effective solution. If I were to jerry-rig something, I’m thinking that I might do something with either an empty water softener barrel (plastic), or cut down a 55 gal blue rain barrel.

What do you think is the way to go? Thanks.

ThRoewer · 09/16/2019, 12:51 AM

Why are you drilling holes into the sump tank?
I always use standard Aqueon tanks as sumps and in in general use with the sump below the tank there should be no need to drill the sump tank.

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warrenmichaels · 09/16/2019, 01:31 AM

The sump won't fit under the tank if I want to be able to remove the skimmer. I drilled so that there would be no chance of the hoses coming loose and causing a flood, which might have been overly cautious thinking.

Vinny Kreyling · 09/16/2019, 08:01 AM

I ran a sump beside the tank for that very reason, worked just fine.

ThRoewer · 09/16/2019, 09:06 AM

Assuming that the main tank is larger and taller you may still get away without drilling.
If drilling is unavailable, you could just use flexible plumbing to limit the stress on the glass.
Or you could replace the standard bulkhead seals with custom ones cut from 1/4" closed cell neoprene foam sheet. Those should also be able to limit the stress on the glass.

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mcgyvr · 09/16/2019, 10:17 AM

Any type of Rubbermaid or Storage Tote or garbage can,etc.. can be used as a sump and picked up for cheap..
Some zip ties will hold hoses in place without the need to drill holes/bulkheads.

Not sure I see the point of keeping the 20G and putting it into another plastic tote.. Just use the plastic tote as the sump and ditch the 20g tank..

09/15/2019, 08:44 PM	#1
warrenmichaels Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 63	cheapest, most effective sump solution I’ve been working on a project involving keeping abalone in a tank, with macro algae, rock, sand, and nothing else. Aesthetics aren’t important, only that the aquarium function properly. Unfortunately, the project has been on hold for some time, but now I’m starting to work on it a little bit again. My problem is my sump. I had no desire to pay an outrageous sum for something to simply accommodate a protein skimmer and water backflow in case of a power outage. I didn’t want a hang on back skimmer, so I decided to make my own sump. I purchased a 20 Long Aquareon Tank, and drilled three holes in one of the long sides. Two were for water entrance, and one was for egress. After buying and drilling this aquarium, it was brought to my attention that, even though the holes are spaced properly in relation to each other, and in relation to the edges of the tank, this is not an ideal solution, given the thinness of this tank’s glass. In order to avoid a catastrophic failure, I was planning to put the 20 Long tank inside of a plastic basin, with supports so than hoses aren’t hanging on the tank. All of this seems like a pain, frankly. I’m thinking of getting a cheap commercially available sump, or else jerry-rigging something. I want to do the cheapest, effective solution. If I were to jerry-rig something, I’m thinking that I might do something with either an empty water softener barrel (plastic), or cut down a 55 gal blue rain barrel. What do you think is the way to go? Thanks.

09/16/2019, 12:51 AM	#2
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	Why are you drilling holes into the sump tank? I always use standard Aqueon tanks as sumps and in in general use with the sump below the tank there should be no need to drill the sump tank. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

09/16/2019, 08:01 AM	#4
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I ran a sump beside the tank for that very reason, worked just fine. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

09/16/2019, 09:06 AM	#5
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	Assuming that the main tank is larger and taller you may still get away without drilling. If drilling is unavailable, you could just use flexible plumbing to limit the stress on the glass. Or you could replace the standard bulkhead seals with custom ones cut from 1/4" closed cell neoprene foam sheet. Those should also be able to limit the stress on the glass. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

09/16/2019, 10:17 AM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Any type of Rubbermaid or Storage Tote or garbage can,etc.. can be used as a sump and picked up for cheap.. Some zip ties will hold hoses in place without the need to drill holes/bulkheads. Not sure I see the point of keeping the 20G and putting it into another plastic tote.. Just use the plastic tote as the sump and ditch the 20g tank.. __________________ Who me?

09/16/2019, 01:31 AM	#3
warrenmichaels Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 63	The sump won't fit under the tank if I want to be able to remove the skimmer. I drilled so that there would be no chance of the hoses coming loose and causing a flood, which might have been overly cautious thinking.