Little Confused On Sumps Still

[heavenly_d3vi1]

After reading through the understanding sumps thread, I decided that I'm far too scared of drilling my new tank, as if it was to go wrong, I really cant afford to replace it for a while! So I went for the overflow box method to save any drilling... but, from what I can tell I DO still need to drill a hole for the return to the display tank? I dont quite understand why the feed and return cant just hang over the top of the display!? Someone please clear it up for me!

 

[heavenly_d3vi1]

Even more confused now that my overflow has arrived!

Could someone explain what the hole in the top is for, and what all the plastic wheels and bit of tube are for please!?

 

[-Nemo-]

Hm that is a strange overflow box... What company makes it??
The hole on the top is likely to get all of the air out of the box to start a siphon... then you would plug it up.
No idea what those plastic pieces are for...

You do not need holes for the return plumbing... mine have always just sat over the tank, here's a pic of mine (blue arrows are the return plumbing):

What in particular confuses you about sumps??

 

[heavenly_d3vi1]

The over flow is from www.cleartides.com, I guess I'll have to ask them what the plastic bits are for! It's not the actual sump itself that confuses me as such, I guess I just can't get my head around why theres a need to either drill holes or use an overflow, why cant you just have the intake and outlet pipes hanging over the top of the tank like you would external filter pipes?

 

[Morri]

The balls will just be there to break up any heavy particle not really needed but will do no harm either

 

[fishman1908]

The design is not dissimilar to a Schuran and is a common design and operation for hook-on overflow units. They are very good, the only downside is they need quite a bit of room at the back of the tank.

The air valve I think acts as an anti-syphon but I'll check our paperwork when I get in.

Your "wheels" are a type of Bio-ball that offers many surface areas for bacteria to colonise. You could use them as a kind of trickle filter in combination with the overflow but as they would be in direct flow of solid waste I wouldn't use them as they could just help support nitrates.

If you had pipes just in & out but going to a sump not an external filter, you could empty your tank if you had a power cut!


Robin

 

[heavenly_d3vi1]

The design is not dissimilar to a Schuran and is a common design and operation for hook-on overflow units. They are very good, the only downside is they need quite a bit of room at the back of the tank.

The air valve I think acts as an anti-syphon but I'll check our paperwork when I get in.

Your "wheels" are a type of Bio-ball that offers many surface areas for bacteria to colonise. You could use them as a kind of trickle filter in combination with the overflow but as they would be in direct flow of solid waste I wouldn't use them as they could just help support nitrates.

If you had pipes just in & out but going to a sump not an external filter, you could empty your tank if you had a power cut!


Robin

Aaah see, I knew there would be a very simple reason!! Makes sense, I'm worried enough about powercuts as it is! lol.

This is probably going to be another stupid question lol.. but what does an 'anti syphon' do?

 

[fishman1908]

The design is not dissimilar to a Schuran and is a common design and operation for hook-on overflow units. They are very good, the only downside is they need quite a bit of room at the back of the tank.

The air valve I think acts as an anti-syphon but I'll check our paperwork when I get in.

Your "wheels" are a type of Bio-ball that offers many surface areas for bacteria to colonise. You could use them as a kind of trickle filter in combination with the overflow but as they would be in direct flow of solid waste I wouldn't use them as they could just help support nitrates.

If you had pipes just in & out but going to a sump not an external filter, you could empty your tank if you had a power cut!


Robin

Aaah see, I knew there would be a very simple reason!! Makes sense, I'm worried enough about powercuts as it is! lol.

This is probably going to be another stupid question lol.. but what does an 'anti syphon' do?

If air can get out of the unit then it cannot syphon out as the water looses its pressure.

Shouldn't be an issue anyway with these style of units as they are not sat deep enough into your tank.


Robin

 

[heavenly_d3vi1]

Oh I see, kinda obvious Thank you!

 

[jameshughes1989]

The design is not dissimilar to a Schuran and is a common design and operation for hook-on overflow units. They are very good, the only downside is they need quite a bit of room at the back of the tank.

The air valve I think acts as an anti-syphon but I'll check our paperwork when I get in.

Your "wheels" are a type of Bio-ball that offers many surface areas for bacteria to colonise. You could use them as a kind of trickle filter in combination with the overflow but as they would be in direct flow of solid waste I wouldn't use them as they could just help support nitrates.

If you had pipes just in & out but going to a sump not an external filter, you could empty your tank if you had a power cut!


Robin

Aaah see, I knew there would be a very simple reason!! Makes sense, I'm worried enough about powercuts as it is! lol.

This is probably going to be another stupid question lol.. but what does an 'anti syphon' do?

If air can get out of the unit then it cannot syphon out as the water looses its pressure.

Shouldn't be an issue anyway with these style of units as they are not sat deep enough into your tank.


Robin

Robin, good to see you on here bud. I also visit the other known reefing site. Hope all is well.

Oh I see, kinda obvious Thank you!

Is there anything else that you need help with regarding sumps?


James

 

[fishman1908]

I'm good thanks and have been a member on here for a few years and read the post quite often but never really contributed as my time was taken up too much elsewhere.

I have now addressed that and like to help and advise in my owm time when I can not feel forced to or be critasised when I don't answer back quick enough!

I'm a sponsor still on a couple of other boards which I am happy with but note you actually don't have any on here?

I like the fact you cover all area's of the hobby though.



Robin

 

[heavenly_d3vi1]

Is there anything else that you need help with regarding sumps?


James

Um.. just the making of one really! I got a general idea of what I'm doing! An opinion on how many baffles, how far apart etc would be helpful. I'm not sure how big the sump will be yet, until my tank arrives today at some point i'm not sure on what space I have for one in the cabinet!

 

[fishman1908]

Is there anything else that you need help with regarding sumps?


James

Um.. just the making of one really! I got a general idea of what I'm doing! An opinion on how many baffles, how far apart etc would be helpful. I'm not sure how big the sump will be yet, until my tank arrives today at some point i'm not sure on what space I have for one in the cabinet!

Once you get your tank & cabinet, measure the space you have available and I will spec one for you. All I will need to know is what skimmer you will using and what return pump so I get the footprints for the divides right.



Robin

 

[jameshughes1989]

I'm good thanks and have been a member on here for a few years and read the post quite often but never really contributed as my time was taken up too much elsewhere.

I have now addressed that and like to help and advise in my owm time when I can not feel forced to or be critasised when I don't answer back quick enough!

I'm a sponsor still on a couple of other boards which I am happy with but note you actually don't have any on here?

I like the fact you cover all area's of the hobby though.



Robin

Yeah, no idea why the forum doesn't get involved in stuff like that, must be the extra hassle or what not. This is a great forum, it feels like everyone knows each other a little more too, probably because it isnt as busy as UR but I see that as a good thing. Its cool that it covers all sides of fishkeeping to. I was running trop planted a little while ago and it was good to still use the same forum even though I have taken on new projects. I hope all is well with business and all.

Is there anything else that you need help with regarding sumps?


James

Um.. just the making of one really! I got a general idea of what I'm doing! An opinion on how many baffles, how far apart etc would be helpful. I'm not sure how big the sump will be yet, until my tank arrives today at some point i'm not sure on what space I have for one in the cabinet!

I would reccommend getting Robin to make you one, im sure he'd to a great job. I hear nothing but great reviews!


Cheers
James

 

[heavenly_d3vi1]

Is there anything else that you need help with regarding sumps?


James

Um.. just the making of one really! I got a general idea of what I'm doing! An opinion on how many baffles, how far apart etc would be helpful. I'm not sure how big the sump will be yet, until my tank arrives today at some point i'm not sure on what space I have for one in the cabinet!

Once you get your tank & cabinet, measure the space you have available and I will spec one for you. All I will need to know is what skimmer you will using and what return pump so I get the footprints for the divides right.



Robin

Oh how very kind of you, that would be most helpful, thanks The cabinet has a support right across the middle, so I cant decide whether to use half the cabinet for a small sump, or cut an arch out of the middle of the support allowing for a larger one!
If I leave the support I have a space of 15x21", whereas with the support gone I'll have twice the length, but will loose some width!

I'm still not sure which skimmer I'm gunna go for atm, I've run out of spare money right now lol!