Sump idea - Good/Bad No Can Do?

[BCReefer]

OK over the past few weeks I have spoken to a couple of fish stores regarding a sump and it seems my idea is not do able.

I wanted to have a plastic PVC pipe in the corner of my tank about 3 - 4 inches from the top of the tank. This would go down to my stand where I would have a sump.

I want to keep my heater and skimmer there.

I would then have another pipe/hose running and pushing the water back up into the tank. The people at the store said i needed to have an overflow bucket in my tank and from there i can run the pipe down. The only reason I do not want to do this is that I do not want to see the overflow in my tank, strictly a cosmetic thing.

As my tank is already set up drilling a hole in the bottom is not an option.

Is there any simple way for me to set up a sump?

Cheers,
BC

[Dale]

Hi BCReefer,
Just to clarify. Are you talking about:

a.) Trying to plumb your system without any holes in the tank?
or...
b.) Running the drain out of the side of a drilled tank?

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/fishherder/overflowquestion.jpg

If the answer in b. the answer is yes you can do that.
If the answer is a. the answer is no, it will not work. You will need something called a "hang on back (HOB) overflow box." This will create the stop and start siphon effect required. If you create the siphon effect with simple PVC piping it will do one of two things (both of which will result in a flooded floor):

a.) The flow through the PVC pipe will not be as fast as the flow from the return pump (from the sump), causing water to spill over the top of the display tank.
b.) The flow through the PVC pipe will be faster than the return pump, causing the water to drop to the pipes intake level and breaking the siphon effect. When this occurs the water will no long flow through the PVC pipe and the return pump will fill the display till it spills over the top.

If you opt for an overflow box do some research and buy a model that works well. Some are very reliable while others have been known to lose their siphon effect and cause floods. I don't use one so I can't help you in that way but I am sure someone will be able to recommend one.

Hope that helps.

[Dale]

I must be paint happy tonight!

Here's an idea for a sump that does not involve drilling the display or an overflow box.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/fishherder/sumpidea15.jpg

The sump is fed by a pump in the display (clever hidden behind rocks if possible) and then gravity feeds back into the display. Not for everyone I admit but it serves the function and with only a short height for the water to be pumped up to the sump a small pump like a Maxi jet 1200 could be used.

[Zylumn]

I have used one of these for 7 months no problem.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/nice-cheap-diy-overflow-29396-16.html

[cole004]

Check this link out. Many have made it I am in the process should be up and running this weekend.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/nice-cheap-diy-overflow-29396.html

[cole004]

Looks like someone beat me to the punch, but a least you know it works