Help!! adding sump to glass tank

[Darrell]

Please help, how i can add a sump to my glass tank without drilling are ther DIY's out there post the links i see after Joining this forum that a sump is the way to go
Thanks Darrell

 

[plumber_bob]

I know that Saltwater City carries a hang on overflow made by CPR, which would help with your problems. Great little overflow box for a glass tank. I use two on my 125.

 

[jlehigh]

lifereef has some very nice hang on overflows as well that do not have some of the siphon loss others have.

 

[Darrell]

thanks but will i over flow my tank or Sump if power goes out? after its in the sump do i just pump it back to the tank with a powerhead ??
Darrell

 

[DonW]

Its all in the design. If power go's out the flow should start back up. I would not use a cpr, j tube overflows are more reliable. If you do loose syphon the pump should be set up in such a way to only let it to top off the tank. If your pump dies it should only back flow whats in the plumbing.

Don

 

[plumber_bob]

If you setup the CPR correctly they will work fine.. Remember that the syphon pump is only really used for the initial start. Once the overflow is going it doesn't really need the pump. As for your sump overflowing. All you do is add some water to your sump, turn off the tank and see where the level rises to in your sump. If it doesn't overflow and it doesn't even come close to the top. This means you can run more water in the sump as the tank is running.

 

[Darrell]

great looks like in off shopping for a overflow box it seams like the only way to go and far as my sump goes witch is the best method
Darrell

 

[Nautilus]

If you use a PVC pipe return then just drill a small hole just above the water line. This way when you lose power the hole will suck air and stop any siphoning back into the sump area.
The pump size on your tank should be a Mag 500 or 750.

Do you have a skimmer?
A diy sump is way cheaper. If you have a 20 gallon tank use it and partition it into a sump/refugium. add a float switch for a diy topoff system that will keep the water level the same for the skimmer to be more productive.
I seen and use rubber maid tubs from home depot that cost $14 for a sump. The over flow tube and box is the way I would go and cheaper than CRP and just as good or better.

 

[j.stagner]

I know that Saltwater City carries a hang on overflow made by CPR, which would help with your problems. Great little overflow box for a glass tank. I use two on my 125.

I also use the CPR overflow for my glass tank, and for the most part I like it a great deal. There are a few things to keep in mind when using one, though.

1.) You need an Aqualifter or a pump with a powerful enough venturi to draw out any air that gets trapped in the siphon. While this might sound like a pain to anyone who's never used a hang-on overflow, anyone who has knows that this is a nice feature, and will keep the overflow from ever breaking the siphon.

2.) Make sure that the airline hose used to draw air out of the siphon stays clear of detritus, otherwise it will cease to work. Black airline tubing is best, the clear grows corraline eventually and gets plugged. I know this is painfully obvious to many people on this forum, but if someone had pointed it out to me when I first bought mine it would have saved me a little grief (no disaster, just stress).

3.) While I think the CPR is the best hang-on overflow I've ever used, I think that the design sucks as far as cleaning goes. After a couple of years, you may get sponges, tunicates, and other stuff living in the c-siphon. When enough of these start growing it will drastically reduce the amount of water that can flow through the overflow, and can result in an overflowing tank. The CPR overflow simply cannot be cleaned without removing it from service for a good length of time. If anyone knows a way to do so, please tell me. I just had to buy a second overflow because of this problem, I simply could not shut off my tank for that long.

The CPR aint cheap, but it's not too bad either. I've used cheap ones before and will never go back.

Darrell, where are you located? Maybe someone can recommend a particular person or LFS in your area who will give you good advice on how to hook this up on your particular system.

And yes, I agree with the statement that sumps are the way to go. You can have good success without one, but you will probably achieve better results and have more options with one. DIY sumps are very easy and flexible, without costing a lot. You will be very glad you did it.

Good luck to you.

 

[j.stagner]

as far as my sump goes witch is the best method

Well, that depends on what you want in a sump. Take a look at the DIY forums here regarding sumps. You will see a lot of sumps made from scratch, which incorporate features such as constant-level chambers, bubble traps, etc.

As sump can be as simple as a Rubbermaid container with a submersible pump for the main water return, and an in-sump skimmer. Or you can get a small cheap glass aquarium and add your own dividers.

Here are some excellent online articles about sumps. They also describe in more detail the function of the overflow.

Everything you wanted to know about sumps
Part II
Part III

 

[Darrell]

Thanks i live in Sedro Woolley about 60 miles north of Seattle the closes LFS is Bellingham (Clarks ) but they are way overpriced the next is Oakharbor (Island Pet Center) i think ordering an overflow from the net and building my own sump im going to plan just need to find witch design i want
hope to meet some of you at the meeting
Darrell

 

[Katchupoy]

If you can buy used.. i will recommend it... i bought mine for 20.00 and its really nice...