looking for sugestions on a sump

[cross]

i have a 55 Gal. tank and would like to add a sump/fuge would like some macro algae. my problem is lack of space. this is my stand the space under it is 22"L x 12"w x 19 1/2"H. is ther any thing i can do? a 10 Gal. tank fits great but i am told that is to small. thanks

 

[mfinn]

What is the tank you already have under your stand?

 

[gotfish]

Looks like a 10g, Finn.

There is nothing wrong with a 10g for a sump. Sure, you want as large a sump as possible, but that's to increase your water volume and it's easier to fit a nice skimmer in there. You could get yourself a 15g high. If a 10g is all you can get though, it's better then nothing at all.

 

[cross]

yah, that is my 10g QT. i would like the fuge on the other side next to it. how tall is a 15g high? i have heard that with a ten i would get bubbles in my main tank. is that true? thanks

 

[cross]

is there a way i could run two 10's under there? like one for sump and one for fuge? i don't know, just looking for some help, thanks

 

[akunochi]

Yes. Drill each on and have a pump pull the water through the first tank, the second tank will drain as the first one does. This makes so much sense in my head.....hard to explain


....... _________ ......... __________
.pump.| 10 gal |______| 10 gal .... |
...... |________| ...... . |_________|

The line in between would be a pvc pipe with a faucet valve for fine tuning flow. The take the out put of the pump back to your tank.

SHould work....

 

[mfinn]

Is there somewhere else you could put the QT tank?
I have a QT tank, but I keep it in another room. I also don't keep it up and running all the time. I just set it up when I decide to buy new fish. I keep a small sponge filter running in my sump all the time so I have a instant bio-filter when I need it
This really keeps impulse buying way down.lol

Anyway if the QT tank wasn't there, you might have room for something bigger that would make a more effective sump. One with room for a fuge and a good skimmer.

Trying to connect two small tanks together usually creates headaches.




Just something to think about.

 

[akunochi]

I agree with Finn. I have a 20H I use for quarantine, and very rarely have it running.

I would relocate it to a kitchen counter or desh and get a bigger sump/fuge. Also working with acrylic will allow you to build a custom sump to fit your stand.


My drawing took a lot of effort though for as terrible as it came out. At least 6 edits.

 

[gotfish]

A 15 high is like 18" I think. I have no idea why people would say you would get bubbles in your display from having a 10g sump. Putting in a bubble trap in the sump would take care of that.

The problem you have is there aren't very many glass tanks that will fit under a 55g tank being that it is so narrow. Unless you want to get an acrylic sump, i.e. quite a bit of money unless you can find someone to build it for you cheap, you're gonna be stuck with a glass tank.

 

[mfinn]

The only thing I see wrong about using something like a 10 gallon tank for a sump, is that you would have to carefully watch the water level in it to keep it from going dry in the return area and just lack of space for a skimmer.

 

[cross]

yah i can move the QT, the only resone it's up and running is because i have a tomato clown that wont leave my clarkii alone and i am going to put him in there if i can't get ride of him soon. no one wants him, i can't even give him away. no anyone that wants him? the opening is only 22x12x19 1/2 over all, is there anything i can get in there? thanks for the drawing but it is temperd and i don't know if you can drill it, plus my skills i don't know about.

 

[gotfish]

You're right on both points Finn. A 15 high would take care of the problem with the water level. The biggest issue no matter what sump he goes with is the height under the tank. Trying to find a skimmer that short is gonna be the real issue. He'd have to go with maybe a Tunze 9005 or something of similar size.

 

[cross]

do any of you guys know anything about this skimmer? http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-PS75-Protein-Skimmer-p/43012.htm

if i can get a 15g tall in the space i have another 3 inchs inside where the 2x4 top piece is. this skimmer needs 20" inches for the hight to get the cup off it.

 

[mfinn]

I agree with gotfish that a 15 would alot better than a 10, but when I setup a new system and have to use the space in the stand for my sump/refugium, I want to use all of that space available. I stuff the biggest container into the space I can get.
Do some looking around. Many fish stores have used equipment laying around. Many hobbiest have stuff laying around. If your a diy guy, consider making one your self, out of glass or acrylic.
With sumps, bigger is always better.
I would use at the very minimum a 20 long. When picking a sump you not only want water volume, but you want space. With more room, you will be able to make a proper refugium, give you more options on return pumps and give you room for a proper skimmer.
That skimmer looks like a pos.
Do it right the first time and you won't need to fix it a few months down the road.

 

[returnofsid]

I would suggest finding the largest rubbermaid tote that will fit under your stand, and using it as a sump/fuge. You can eliminate air bubble problems, by locating your return pump in a smaller but similar container, OR by housing your skimmer in a second tote, that is still sitting in the first tote. I also think you may have to go with a HOB skimmer, because of your height restrictions.

 

[cross]

thanks for all the help. i will be serching for the biggist tote or somthing i can use. and other posible options for a bigger sump. and a better skimmer. thanks again