Anyone have instructions on a 20L Sump?

[dtd87]

Just picked up a 20L at petco's 1$ sale (wooooot) now I need to know what to get and how to turn this thing into a sump. I've looked on melv's but most of his seem to be acrylics. I heard you can also make a small end refugium on these is that true? Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[mfinn]

Use the same design or use a modified design, but just use glass.
You can go to any glass shop and have them cut baffles, then go to a fish store and pickup some aquarium silicone and have fun.
I have my in coming water and skimmer in the first section, refugium in the middle and return pump area on the far end.

 

[dtd87]

I need to find some more examples.

 

[ac7av]

Use the same design or use a modified design, but just use glass.
You can go to any glass shop and have them cut baffles, then go to a fish store and pickup some aquarium silicone and have fun.
I have my in coming water and skimmer in the first section, refugium in the middle and return pump area on the far end.

+1
Use the same design you like and make it with glass. I got 2, 20’s from the sale and that’s what I’m doing with them.

 

[rainydave]

My 20l sump.

Incoming section is 8" wide, refugium is 12.5" wide, return is 5.5" wide.

I used acrylic for the baffles. Seems okay so far. Might switch to glass if I ever rebuild it.

 

[dtd87]

My 20l sump.

Incoming section is 8" wide, refugium is 12.5" wide, return is 5.5" wide.

I used acrylic for the baffles. Seems okay so far. Might switch to glass if I ever rebuild it.

Not bad, does it really matter if you use glass or acrylic?

 

[dtd87]

Also what return pump are you using?

 

[mfinn]

Not bad, does it really matter if you use glass or acrylic?

It does not matter. But people tend to use too thin of acrylic and it will flex and create problems like leaks.

 

[rainydave]

I'm running 1/4" acrylic. Got it from Lowes.

The return pump is a Mag 7.

 

[Krish]

1/4 inch should be more than sufficient for baffles IMO. Melev's reef does have some really nice ideas there. I'd just pick one of the many he has there that you like and use that as a guide.

Good luck!

 

[dtd87]

I like rainydaves idea mine just work the other way.. I think my overflow will be on the left side. Return on the right

 

[rainydave]

I like rainydaves idea mine just work the other way.. I think my overflow will be on the left side. Return on the right

That picture was taken from the back of the stand.

 

[rainydave]

BTW...is the Petco $1/gallon sale still going? My son wants a 40b for his turtle.

 

[dtd87]

Till the 23rd. at least down at southcenter

10 /10$
20/ 20$
40b/ 40$

Those are only ones advertised

 

[Chichas01]

I need to find some more examples.

Like Finn said you can get the baffles cut at a glass shop. You need 3 panels, space them at least 1" apart and the middle one 1" from the bottom. You can see pics of mine about half way down the page here in my build thread:
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41286&page=2

 

[dtd87]

Are the baffels 11inches high?

 

[dtd87]

So I called lowes and for 4x 9'x12' pieces of 1/4 inch acrylic is about 33$ with tax. Does this sound right to anyone? and those are the correct sizes for the baffles I hope >.>

 

[rainydave]

That sounds about right. If you are going to make the return section baffle lower, have them cut it.

I bought 2 sheets and them them cut them all to size. If I remember correctly I ended up with 2 pieces I could have used for the return section baffle. One taller, one shorter.

They were pretty accommodating.

 

[dtd87]

Why exactly would you have the return section lower than the others?

 

[Krish]

Why exactly would you have the return section lower than the others?

One reason why you wouldn't want the return chamber baffle too high is for when the return pump is shut off and the line back siphons a bit it doesn't over flow and spill out of the sump. You want a little bit of head room in there for back siphon.