DIY Sump

[cubaniton74]

If you want to improve on that system, then include a second bucket filled with gravel and with the incoming water flowing all the way down to the bottom of the gravel by a pvc pipe with a T at the bottom and 2 pvc extentions filled with holes, so that the weight of the gravel will keep it in place, then the water will flow from the bottom of the bucket up thru the gravel and overflow via pvc pipes at the top into the buck with scrubbers, water will exit at bottom and pumped back to the tank.

[SuperCHRIS903]

say did you have holes cut into ur tank for the overflow pipes.

[jazminaccount209]

thanks man, i made one for my tank but i wanted to get a 240 gallon, do you think it would be enough filtraition, i have it running with the overflow box and 2 siphon tubes. please write back, thanks

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@jazminaccount209 I would just use a similar design but make it larger. Maybe two buckets in a larger rubbermaid bin? I have a different sump running on my 180, also DIY. I used the bin from the sump in this video as the media chamber instead of the bucket. I have it inside a larger bin. I think I have a video of it.

[jazminaccount209]

@cichlids4everdotcom ooh ok thanks, that helped alot

[itakethebus]

Is it possible to put a heater in the sump? or will it mess up the plastic?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@mistaevanson My suction is performed by my overflow. I do not use a PVC overflow. the PVC you see me pull out is my return from my sump.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@mistaevanson My suction is performing by my overflow. I do not use a PVC overflow. the PVC you see me pull out is my return from my sump.

[Coltons350z]

do you still have this sump running?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@Coltons350z No, that tank is not running anymore. I have upgraded to a 180 gallon tank. See my other videos for my new sump design.

[taia82]

Thanks, just wanted to hear from someone who was actually running one, since I'm doing a marine tank water changes are gonna happen anyway ;) thanks for the quick reply, good luck with your breeding!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@taia82 I also have a 75 gallon marine tank with a sump. I have it split the incoming water into two sides. One side runs my protein skimmer and the other side is my refugium. Check out my other videos, pretty sure I have one of it.

[taia82]

I was curious about the wet/dry filter issue, I heard that it does it's job a bit too well and raises your nitrates a lot, do u seem to have any issues with high levels? Just need to know before I throw one in my tank, thanks!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@taia82 Nitrates are removed by either plants or water changes. I'd rather have to deal with Nitrates than Nitrites. Honestly, on my 180 gallon african cichlids tank with DIY sump, I do a water change every 2 months. No issues or fish loss. I actually have a breeding group of Afra in there, lol.

[abaneyone]

If the power goes off do you need to restart the syphon again after the power comes back on?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@abaneyone My overflow is not a syphon overflow. It's a factory drilled tank with an internal MegaFlow overflow.

[khmerkrazie]

i have an overflow box and i hate it. haha. just because when the water evaporates, the water level goes down then it messes up everything. i think i'll have to buy a pump then a in-line tube going to my sump. when electricity goes out i'll have a valve to stop the water. just a thought....

[Frost0656]

Sorry diy overflow

[Frost0656]

This looks amazing. I went out and bought stuff to replicate what you've done here. The only difference is that my aquarium is set up to support a red eared slider. Do you think your sump could handle a turtle? I'm also attempting a diy oveer

[thriller1911]

I looked on the website for the writeup, but all I found were these videos. Am I supposed to be looking somewhere specific?

[MehTehHeh]

I dont get it, do i need an overflow? if so what is it for?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@MehTehHeh You don't have to but they help with filtering. I run overflow / sump setups in both my saltwater tank (75 gallon) and freshwater tank (180 gallon).

[MehTehHeh]

@cichlids4everdotcom Ok thanks

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@tigrexofwow lol. It will get nasty after a while. This was only running for a few weeks.

[MrDunn1872]

ok i tryed to make 1 for 75 gallon didnt work damed thing oveflowed and yes i had the check valve in the pvc need more info on theses builds like wht size pipe should i use and return pump gph or measurements on u overflow if u made 1 for a 75

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@MrDunn1872 Just remember, my tank is factory drilled using an internal overflow. Are you using the same or do you have a DIY PVC overflow?

[MrDunn1872]

@cichlids4everdotcom diy i actually got the thing to work re did with pvc 1 inch pipe but when the power goes off it will not restart siphoning and i do have a check valve on the top.. the only way i can get the overflow to work is grab the bottom of the pipe where it goes to my diy filter to start it up again any ideas?????

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@MrDunn1872 Google Image Search "DIY PVC Overflow Plans". You will need an overflow with the double U design. They are made to retain water if the power fails and restart when it's back on.

[MrDunn1872]

@cichlids4everdotcom diy

[9912699125]

@cichlids4everdotcom nice one!how much water do ur pump pump?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@9912699125 750 GPH

[9912699125]

@cichlids4everdotcom wow

[MiniReef17]

man i know knothing much about the sumps but i am in progress of making one i have the pvs pipes done alrdy did em today but im not sure if i should go with the plastic bin or with the 10 gallon glass sump for a reef tank... what should i go for?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@MiniReef17 If you are making on for a salt tank I would use the fish tank sump over the plastic bin setup. Reason being, you will want to install baffles and partition the sump into different sections. This is much easier to do on a glass sump than on a plastic bin.

[MiniReef17]

@cichlids4everdotcom alright i will show u my sump this weekend ima head and buy the 10 gallon some glass and some aquarium safe silicone

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@MiniReef17 I use a 20 gallon long as a sump on my 75 gallon salt setup. Check out my other videos and you will see it.

[mrperryguitar]

what happens is the power cuts out? will the tank overflow container overfill and spill water evrywhere?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Nothing. The tank has an internal overflow. Water only goes down to the sump when the water level is above the overflow (ie: when the pump is running)

[piinkpandahh69]

Hey i have question, im jsut starting to build a sump/overflow system for my turtles tank (i pretty sure they would work the same) now the question is, how does the overflow/sump filter system clean/filter all the gunk and crap at the bottom of the tank like their poop and uneaten food? OR is there usually another filter system that does that for you?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@piinkpandahh69 The key to clean up all the gunk and crap is water movement. You need to keep the water stirred up so the overflow and take it to the sump and filter it. Use a few power heads pointing different ways to keep the water constantly moving. This will keep the food/poop suspended in the water so the overflow can take care of it. Hope that helps.

[piinkpandahh69]

@cichlids4everdotcom thanks a heap! ivebeen wondering how the poop/food would go down to the sump.

[johnmtube76]

the sump set up you are showing is for what size tank

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@johnmtube76 This was on a 75 gallon tank.

[johnmtube76]

i have a 100 gallon tank do you recomend the same sump set up or should i go to a bigger container and a 5 gallon bucket . on the pump how many times should it cycle an hour for the tank?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@johnmtube76 Bigger won't hurt. i usually shoot for 10x turn over rate but it on the high end if you ask most people.5-7x should be ok too.

[johnmtube76]

what size of pvc pipe and hose are you using

1/2 3/4 1'

[BobaJett]

The whole protects you from pump failure, but what about siphon failure?? Or is there just not enough water in the sump to overflow the main tank??

[cichlids4everdotcom]

My sump doesnt get water from the main tank using a syphon. I have a factory installed overflow box.

[BobaJett]

Ok, say your overflow fails or clogs and your pump keeps pumping the 2-3 gallons from your tub. Thats gonna flood over the tanks sides and get on the floor. How do you protect against that? The whole is protection against the power going out, but what about the reverse??

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@BobaJett The only way my overflow would become clog'd is if a fish jumped over my internal overflow but i have a cover of it so its no possible.

[ptingchai]

so nice diy!

[gamefreak279]

is a sump really needed,. it looks like it is just a filter but under the tank where u cant see it?

i am going to invest on a 30-50 gallon reef tank and the sump looks useless if you can just go out and buy $25.00 filter and $20.00 for like 10 filter bag things which will last you like 10 months if you dont wash em and re use them

and then again i guessing a sump would end up being like $40.00 to make and then u dont pay anything again but then u need holes in the tank and a pump so help me!!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

This sump is setup on a freshwater tank. That is why its very simple. On a salt water tank it would have more equipment in it like a protein skimmer, heater, refugium, etc.... They are much more usefull on a salt tank. Check out my vids of my salt water tank. I have some shot of the sump on it including my refugium with macro algae and mangroves.

[gamefreak279]

yea ok but is it needed cuz im short on money my dad would buy the tank and the sand so yea and i can put the heater in the tank which is fine with me and what is a skimmer and a refugium sorry i am new to this

[cichlids4everdotcom]

@gamefreak279 Skimmer (Protein Skimmer) removes organic compounds from the water before they break down into nitrogenous waste.

Refugium is a place to have macro algaes, mangroves, etc... that has slow flow. This helps keep the nitrates down in the tank because these plants use nitrates to grow.

[gamefreak279]

ok thanks i went to my local fish store and found out its ok now but thanks!

[dominicray07]

hello i have a 125 freshwater tank and want to make the same sump you got but dont get how to use the powerhead(how to get the clean water back into the tank) help please!!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

the overflow in the tank brings the water to the sump and the return pump pushes the water from the sump back to the tank. If your tank isn't drilled with an overfllow you will need to use PVC overflows, Hang-on-back overflows or drill the tank.

[lolustupid]

about how many pot scrubbers do you have in there?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Maybe 40-50? They are now setup on the 180 gallon tank. I prob have around 120+ in that sump.

[BRKmaddox]

you could add ceramic media for more biologic filtration, or lava rock smashed into small chunks if your on a bugget

[AweSomo84]

Hey man that looks awesome , i really are looking up to make a small sumps some day , I just love my eheim filters.

Just want to add something , just buy the natural blended sponges, you don't know where that coloring will go :P

Peace,

erik

[lolustupid]

about how thick should the pvc be?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Depends on how many GPH you want and how big your tanks overflow holes are.

[lolustupid]

i dont have overflow holes.

[jerumd]

Nice job cichlids4everdotcom!! I just learned some educational tips after watching your greate video. Tank you very much!!!! Seriously!!!!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Np. Glad it helped you. Thanks for watching.

[jerumd]

You're welcome. Anytime.

[frozenmouse76]

dude you just answered about 10 questions i had thankyou heaps for sharing this info.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

haha, no prob. glad it helped you.

[eazyone23]

Nice Job !!! ... I Like it

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Thanks.

[lolustupid]

where did you get the pump and how much did it cost

[cichlids4everdotcom]

I usually get stuff like that online (big als online mostly) but i purchased the pump @ petco. It was on clearance for $22. Its a QuietOne 4000.

[lolustupid]

at the moment that pump is 90 bucks at petcco, do you know any other place that might sell a similar one for less then 30 bucks?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

You can get the QuietOne 1200 at bigalsonline for $25.99. It's not as strong (GPH) but its in your price range.

[lolustupid]

im going to make a sump for my 30 gallon tank do yu think that it will be good enough?

[lolustupid]

can this be used instead of a filter?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Yes. This is the only filter on ran on the tank.

[lolustupid]

and the water is crystal clear?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Yup. You can also run carbon / purigen in the sump just like you would a canister/hang on back filter.

[lolustupid]

what was that in your drip pan?

and what are the pot scrubbers for?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

[1] Quilt Batting. You can purchase it at your local fabric store. It's way cheaper than buying filter media at the local fish store.

[2] Pot scrubbers are used instead of bio-balls. They provide tons of surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow on them.

[bmetstud]

did you make that over flow thing? Im trying to get a 100 gallon tank going for super cheap. this video helped alot on the sump part, but now I need to figure out the overflow part. any tips would be helpful. My wife is worried about it overflowing/ draining on the floor. thanks

[cichlids4everdotcom]

The overflow is a manufactured installed MegaFlow from All-Glass Aquariums. There are DIY type overflows you could run that use siphon but i have not built any. You could also buy a siphon overflow online or have tank drilling and install your own overflow / standpipes.

[hlywkar]

Any way you could fit a protein skimmer in that?

I am trying to set up a tank for an octopus

[cichlids4everdotcom]

You could but the only issue would be evaporation. With overflow / sump tanks, all water level fluctuations due to evaporation effect the sump, not the tank. You would need to install some baffles in the sump to keep the chamber that the protein skimmer is in at the same level.

[Grak70]

Awesome budget sump. What capacity tank is this running on?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Thanks. It's on a 75 gallon tank.

[tshelby123]

WHAT ABOUT A 75 gallon REEF tank

[cichlids4everdotcom]

I guess it would work but you may want to go the natural route for a reef tank. Meaning use live rock, sand and macro algae.

[Eroborus]

what happens if the power goes out and the syphon is broken, then the power comes back on again?

Your room will get flooded by the contents of the sump is what will happen.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Ummm, No. The overflow is a factory installed internal Megaflow overflow. This is not a syphon overflow. The white PVC is the return from the sump, not the overflow.

But thanks for trying! =)

[Eroborus]

Sorry holmes, I went to type this into another video but i got my tabs mixed up.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

No problem.

[TriLLz031]

I love the overflow. you seem to have the best, yet most simple to build overflow i've seen yet. i went to the forum but it says its under construction. can you give more specific information and suggestions on what exactly i need the build the same thing? thanks.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

The site is up and running.  Click Member Login on the top and the user registration link is there.

[LordoftheReef]

Last question/statement... sorry iabout hoving posted 3 comments already... did you look into how safe the sterelite was about leeching phosphates/chemicals into your water over a period of time? I have heard some buckets are not reef safe for storing water in for longer periods. Just curious about your thoughts/experiences on this.

[cichlids4everdotcom]

I've seen many people use them for sumps. I have had no issues with it so far. I'd say its been running a year now.

[LordoftheReef]

Looks like you could pretty easily turn that into a fuge and add a small light and some algae for extra filtration too.

[LordoftheReef]

I like what you did for your return... that gives me some ideas ;)

[hotvws3]

i'm going to have to do that with my sons 90 gallon corner tank.5*

[risenflame]

Really nice work. How fast does it overflow? is the pump constantly over pumping out water than the overflow can deliver? how does it hold suction/vaccum?

thanks!

[cichlids4everdotcom]

This is a standard drilled tank with manufacurer overflow. There is no suction/vaccum for the overflow. It's running around 500 GPH. My 180 gallon tank runs around 1400GPH on two overflows.

[dinhy34]

what size pvc pipe you used?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

1" PVC

[cubcubcubby]

hey man what kind of pvc cement do you use...can i get it from my local home depot store?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Yes, i used normal PVC cement like you would if doing plumbing work in your house. Just be sure to let it cure properly. I glued my PVC and let it sit for 48 hours before running water through it.

[spoonsivic]

ima newbie to sump but looking in to. But is the sump suppose to take care of the water filtering..  Is this the main filter for the tank? please let me know

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Yes, this is the main filter. I also have a canister filter, rena xp4, but i always overfilter my tanks. Check out our site (link is in the beginning of the video), we have a live chat and we would love to answer any questions you have.

[pizazmitaz]

the hole is drilled on the output tube right?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Yes. If you don't once the pump turns off, it will start to syphon water down through the output tube.

[preaaron]

what type of return pump do you have?? gph?

can you recommend a low cost one?

[cichlids4everdotcom]

Im using a LifeGard Quiet One Pump 3000 by Pentair Aquatics. I think i picked it up at Petsmart for $50. You can find better and cheaper online but I wanted it right away. lol. Ill be adding another 75 gallon tank. Videos to come! :)

[pizazmitaz]

looks preeeeeeeeeeeety familiar

[cichlids4ever]

yeah, stuff carbon in the sump :P

[cichlids4ever]

woot woot!!! thats totally C4E!!