Aquarists at USF
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.


A Forum for the Aquarist Club at USF - A Community for Fishy People <')))){
 
PortalPortal  HomeHome  About UsAbout Us  Latest imagesLatest images  SearchSearch  Register  Log in  

 

 Converting a 20L to a Sump

Go down 
2 posters
AuthorMessage
Sam_G
Admin
Sam_G


Join date : 2011-01-15
Posts : 2530

Converting a 20L to a Sump Empty
PostSubject: Converting a 20L to a Sump   Converting a 20L to a Sump EmptySun Jun 05, 2011 11:38 am

Converting a 20L to a Sump

This is my latest DIY project. I spent last weekend converting a standard 20 gallon long AGA aquarium into a sump. So far, I've been very pleased with the results. The sump consists of 3 Compartments: Compartment #1 = Skimmer Compartment, Compartment #2 = Refugium, and Compartment #3 = Return Compartment. surfing

Materials:

1. 20L aquarium (or whatever size glass aquarium you'd like to make a sump out of; however, the baffle dimensions will change if you use a different size aquarium)
2. PVC
3. 3 glass baffles (.25" thick) with the dimensions of 11.75" x 9"
4. 1 glass baffle (.25" thick) with the dimensions of 11.75" x 10" (I got all of my glass cut at Borter Glass for $16. Great price, and great service! I was really impressed!!)
Converting a 20L to a Sump DSC04999-1
5. Aquarium-safe silicone
6. Super glue
7. Measuring tape
8. CD cases and/or other props to hold up baffles while drying
9. Eggcrate (cut to the dimensions of 11.75" x 2ish")
10. PVC cutters
11. Electrical tape
12. Scissors
12. Whatever you're putting in your sump (i.e. Skimmer, LR, LS, Macroalgae, Heater, Return Pump, etc.)

Blueprint Designs:

Converting a 20L to a Sump DSC05125

Converting a 20L to a Sump DSC05126

Directions:

1. Make sure the 20L is completely clean and dry.

Converting a 20L to a Sump DSC04998

2. Start with the first baffle. Use the measuring tape to position it in place, and then use a little super glue to glue it where you want it. Use cd cases or whatever props you've chosen to help hold up the baffle.

3. When the super glue is dry, silicone the baffle into place. Make sure that you do a thorough job. You don't want it to leak later...

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the other baffles.

*Side note: For the middle baffle of the bubble trap, 2-3 cd cases under the baffle work great to raise the baffle to approximately 1" off of the aquarium bottom. After you super glue and silicone the baffle into place and it dries, you can just slip the cd cases out.

Converting a 20L to a Sump DSC05001-1

Converting a 20L to a Sump DSC05000-1

*Another side note: Go SLOW! The key is patience. I tried to rush the project and was impatient waiting for the baffles to dry. It just costed me more time and aggravation in the end...

5. After all of the silicone has dried, super glue the eggcrate to the top of Baffle #3 and Baffle #4. (The eggcrate will help keep macroalgae and snails in the refugium compartment)

6. Run a leak test. Fill the sump with freshwater (less messy) starting with Compartment #1. Watch to see if the water leaks into Compartment #2. Repeat this process for all of the compartments.

7. Siphon out the freshwater.

8. If there was no leak, you're good to go. If there was a leak, let the sump dry (COMPLETELY!), and then re-silicone where the leak(s) occurred.

9. Next, plumb the PVC how you want it (single overflow, dual overflow, etc.).

10. Use electrical tape to seal the PVC joints. Some people use PVC glue, but IMO, you don't need to glue them. If you insert the PVC properly, it shouldn't leak. The electrical tape is just to strengthen the connections and as a precaution in case a little leak does occur.

11. Design your compartments how you'd like (i.e. Add your skimmer, your LR, LS, and macroalgae to your fuge, your return pump, ATO, etc.).

12. Add saltwater, and you're done! thumbs up

The Finished Product:

Converting a 20L to a Sump DSC05145

Converting a 20L to a Sump DSC05146
Back to top Go down
Iceelover

Iceelover


Join date : 2011-07-14
Posts : 241

Converting a 20L to a Sump Empty
PostSubject: Re: Converting a 20L to a Sump   Converting a 20L to a Sump EmptySun Jul 22, 2012 7:02 pm

Im looking at putting a sump on my 40g but Im not sold on Refugiums yet. What tank did you put this on? Do you still use it? Did you like how it turned out? Is there anything you would modify or adjust?
Back to top Go down
Sam_G
Admin
Sam_G


Join date : 2011-01-15
Posts : 2530

Converting a 20L to a Sump Empty
PostSubject: Re: Converting a 20L to a Sump   Converting a 20L to a Sump EmptyMon Jul 23, 2012 10:14 am

This sump is for my 50 gallon reef. I still use it and love it. I really like the refugium and would recommend it. The chaeto keeps my nitrates and phosphates at zero and keeps the 50 gallon algae-free.

Things that I wish were different:

- I wish the three bubble-trap baffles were further apart from each other because it's difficult to clean in between them (it was also really hard to silicone in place originally). However, with such a small sump, this isn't an option...

- I should have glued the pvc plumping. It ended up leaking, and I finally glued it anyway.

- Finally, not specifically sump-related, but my overflow is pretty loud. It gurgles and makes huge bubble noises when the water travels down to the sump. Not sure how to fix that though without drilling my 50 gallon (which isn't going to happen!).

Those are the only complaints that I can think of. I really love my sump, and if I ever upgrade to a bigger aquarium (as I dream about Smile) I would probably fashion a sump following this as a blueprint.
Back to top Go down
Sponsored content





Converting a 20L to a Sump Empty
PostSubject: Re: Converting a 20L to a Sump   Converting a 20L to a Sump Empty

Back to top Go down
 
Converting a 20L to a Sump
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1
 Similar topics
-
» converting to saltwater
» Sump Vs. Canister
» FS: 50 Gallon Aquarium w/ Stand, Sump, LR, Sand, and MORE!

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Aquarists at USF :: Technical Discussion :: Do It Yourself (DIY)-
Jump to: