Sump for freshwater tank

[normc]

Does anyone use a sump with a fresh water system.  Also do you have to drill the tank.

[bitterman]

Yes Norm I have a sump for my Frontosa setup and my 65 corner tank.

My main tanks are drilled, but you can use syphon overflows. I woudl say drill the tank, as it is less likely to have problems. syphon overflows sometimes look the prime and cause floods.

Bruce

[normc]

Can anyone point to plans for a sump. I haven't decided yet if I want one

[redbelly]

Plans of a sump are really determined by what you want in your sump.

If you are not worried about micro bubbles in the main tank then your sump can just be a regular tank with nothing added.

If you are, then you need baffles.

For FW you could add a nice little section that the water would have to flow through sponges to pull particles out of the water.

bitterman, what is most important in a sump for fw?

If you are looking for just a basic layout though a quick google search will produce lots of designs.

When my exams are all done and papers all in I will be posting a thread under ottawa inverts with some of the sumps that I have build for sw customers.

[bitterman]

Most important is that the sump hold water  j/K

Well on a more serious note, My sump is very simple, Just a tank that holds my trickle filter, heaters and pumps.

Below are 2 articles on my DIY trickle filter and water change system. Without a sump these would not be possible.  I do not have any bubble baffles in my sump, but I do have floss on top of my trickle filter to help filter larger particle and keep my bio media cleaner.

http://ovas.ca/index.php?page=44

http://ovas.ca/index.php?page=52

Sizing of the sump is important, make sure you have enough space from the high water level such that if the power goes out it does not overflow.

I am using Mag Drive pumps for water return. I have a Mag12 for my 195 and a Mag 7 for my 65. They both share a 30 gallon sump (I do need a larger sump!!!!!!!!)

If you are planning a med-high light planted tank a sump IS NOT a good idea as it will result in dissolved Co2 being rapidly removed from the system and most likely result in algae problems.

I like the low maitence that a sump proviedes! All I do is clean my bio media about 1-2 times a year by swirling it in a bucket of tank water.  The floss ont he trickle filter is checked weekly, and normally need cleaning about ever 2 weeks.

In the future I want to make an acryillic sump, with bubble baffles, lighted sectioned refrium for grow out/tumbling frontosa eggs/fry. A couple places for water to flow through sponges or floss would also be added also. The refrium could be used also to put plants in to act as a nitrate sponge. Additionally I coudl disontinue the use of a pump to remove water from the sump but just drilling a hole and adding a bulkhead for excess water to gravity drain out to my basements sump pump.

Bruce

[normc]

You talked me out of it. In time I want to go the CO2 tank route.

[babblefish1960]

That is just silly normc, why on earth would you put fish into a CO2 tank, I mean that couldn't be very nice to look at them through the hole in the top, they would only ever see your eye peering into their CO2 tank! Silly rabbit.

[normc]

Can I get some of what ever it is you're drinking or is it smoking