Expanding my sump

[Krish]

I was wondering if anyone can give me some ideas on how I should plumb/attach this new chamber to my existing sump. I have to expand the sump because as some of you already know, I have to keep the water level in the sump really low to prevent a flood from backflow after a power outtage and I tried earlier this week to stuff a 36 in tank in there which I was going to convert into a sump, but it wouldn't get in unless I took down the 75 gal and dropped the stand in over it or cut out the center brace of my stand to slip it in (neither of which I am interested in doing).

So here's what I came up with. I had this new acrylic chamber made and have a few ideas on how to add it in, but wasn't sure on the best way...

(1) Was to cut a hole at the bottom of the existing return chamber in my sump as well as the new piece and then push both pieces together and slide a 1 inch bulkhead in through both (the sump and the new piece) and use the plastic nut which comes with the bulkhead, to pull, tighten and seal them together. I'd also run a bead of silicone around the perimeter of the bulkhead on both sides just incase the bulkhead leaks.

or

(2) Make a "U" siphon tube and just go over the top(which I'm not sure how well that will work in terms of power cuts and restarting and also if I'd like the look). Any other ideas?


Here are the photos of what I have and what I have to work with. The two pieces can be taken out to do any drilling etc, but will have to be assembled/plumbed together under the stand.


Existing sump




New chamber





Where the new chamber will sit in relation to the sump

 

[Krish]

(1) Was to cut a hole at the bottom

BTW...I meant on the side, but close to the bottom. Not actually the bottom

 

[mmkeeper]

Just a thought if you connect i t with a bulkhead you might want to use an upper and a lower bulkhead to make for better circulation. Are you going to keep your pump in the chamber that is in or move it to the new one?

 

[Krish]

Just a thought if you connect i t with a bulkhead you might want to use an upper and a lower bulkhead to make for better circulation. Are you going to keep your pump in the chamber that is in or move it to the new one?

I was thinking on maybe putting it in the new one, but not really sure if it would make a difference because it will really be the same chamber in a sense (i'm only really expanding the last chamber). I thought of 2 bulkheads, but I will be still keeping the water level pretty much the same (may take it a few inches up) in the return chamber which still isn't really high at all...Thanks for your input though

 

[mmkeeper]

I would put your pump in the new chamber and maybe use a little bigger bulk head or two side by side. I think you want to make sure you don't want a dead spot.

 

[Krish]

I would put your pump in the new chamber and maybe use a little bigger bulk head or two side by side. I think you want to make sure you don't want a dead spot.

Yeah, I've got two 1 inch bulkheads ordered and were delivered to my freight forwarder in Florida today so I should have them hopefully Monday. Maybe I should hook up a Tunze in there to keep things moving a bit:shock: (LOL) Thanks again man for your help

 

[LakeEd]

I think your idea of adding the bulkhead should work fine. Just keep in mind that those bulkheads are really only meant to seal on ONE side... so the addition of the silicone would be something I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving out.

Just another thought... if you only have one bulkhead... that would only be one place connecting the two tanks together. I would look into possiblly drilling up high, for one of the plastic nut/bolts... and threading that thru there also... for stability.

 

[wrightme43]

Man I dont know how I would do that. I know bulkheads are supposed to have a gasket next to the water. If its going to both walls it would at least need a gasket on both sides. This is something I would want to test, before I drilled a hole in my sump to try it.
When I connect things in sump areas, I use four bulkheads. Two sets of, bulkhead, true union, bulkhead.

 

[Krish]

I think your idea of adding the bulkhead should work fine. Just keep in mind that those bulkheads are really only meant to seal on ONE side... so the addition of the silicone would be something I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving out.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I've heard too many horrible stories of leaking bulkheads. If push comes to shove and I have to remove the sump, the silicone wouldn't be really too hard at all to cut away.

Just another thought... if you only have one bulkhead... that would only be one place connecting the two tanks together. I would look into possiblly drilling up high, for one of the plastic nut/bolts... and threading that thru there also... for stability.

Good point...Thanks! I hadn't even thought of that.

 

[Krish]

Man I dont know how I would do that. I know bulkheads are supposed to have a gasket next to the water. If its going to both walls it would at least need a gasket on both sides. This is something I would want to test, before I drilled a hole in my sump to try it.
When I connect things in sump areas, I use four bulkheads. Two sets of, bulkhead, true union, bulkhead.

Thanks Steve...My friend who's father owns the LFS has some tanks drilled and and he used some threaded pvc fittings and hasn't had any leaks. I wanted to stop there and take a look at what he used again. I know it's packed with silicone though. Maybe that's what's helping...I'll have to check into it...

I think I understand what you mean about the union and bulkheads. The thing is I don't have the space for all of that in between the two...

 

[big t]

I don't think this is going to work to well Krish. I think it is going to leak even if you put silicone on it, and put gaskets on both sides. I think a better option that you prolly havn't though of yet is to drill some big holes in your baffles and effectively lower the water level a few inches in the whole sump. Then you could have more water in the end chamber, and still have room for all the water when you turn off the power.

 

[wrightme43]

I know it just wont fit that way. I just have never thought about doing it any other way. I'm sure youll figure it out.

 

[Krish]

I don't think this is going to work to well Krish. I think it is going to leak even if you put silicone on it, and put gaskets on both sides. I think a better option that you prolly havn't though of yet is to drill some big holes in your baffles and effectively lower the water level a few inches in the whole sump. Then you could have more water in the end chamber, and still have room for all the water when you turn off the power.

Don't tell my wife that(LOL) Yeah, I see what you mean as well. It would be the same concept as lower baffles right? Well what about some sort of "U" siphon tube like some pre-filters use? I see the pet store here has all their tanks joined by made up pvc "U"'s. The only thing that I questioned about the whole thing is if it will work at the lower water level and if it will start back up and flow water over to the new chamber after a power outtage. If you guys think it's worth a try, I could grab some elbows and pvc and give it a shot.

I know it just wont fit that way. I just have never thought about doing it any other way. I'm sure youll figure it out.

LOL...Buying a new tank when I want to change or add something seems to work well for me these days

 

[Krish]

Steve, I thought about what you said and I can do this...Do you guys think this will work? I don't see why not really. It will be using 2 bulkheads like Steve suggested, but plumbing them in using 2 90's and the union out front.

TOP VIEW LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE SUMP

 

[big t]

That will work. I would use 1.5" plumbing if you can.

 

[Krish]

That will work. I would use 1.5" plumbing if you can.

Shucks! I only have (2) 1 inch bulkheads coming! There is one place here that sold bulkheads (a pool company), but not sure if they sell them anymore. They are like $35 dollars each, but whatever. I'll check them out tomorrow. Thanks everyone

 

[spongebob lover]

well dood i wish you the best with the new addition .
I can't wait to see it all finished .

 

[Krish]

well dood i wish you the best with the new addition .
I can't wait to see it all finished .

Thanks Gabbs Hopefully I don't end up pitching everything in the road afterwards!(LOL)

 

[mfinn]

Steve, I thought about what you said and I can do this...Do you guys think this will work? I don't see why not really. It will be using 2 bulkheads like Steve suggested, but plumbing them in using 2 90's and the union out front.

TOP VIEW LOOKING DOWN FROM ABOVE SUMP

Instead of hard pvc all the way I would suggest using some hose barbs with flexable tubing between the two sumps.
The reason being if by some chance you were working in the sump area and you were to move one of the sumps with out moving the other, even just a 1/2", you might fracture the side of one of the sumps.
I agree with Big T, that you should use at least 1-1/2" bulkheads.
I tried using 1" bulkheads between two 20 gallon tanks and it didn't seem to work well.

 

[wrightme43]

You can do it, just like that. How much flow do you have back to the tank per hour?