My Sump

[knoxy]

Right well I just thought I'd see what people think about this. Its my proposed design for my sump. The box can't be any bigger due to the space i have below the aquarium - the cupboard is divided in two and I dont want to compromise the load it can take.

Sketch Drawing

I thought I'd put the skimmer in the 1st compartment, then there are the baffles. followed by the live rock / sand ( i think the heaters will go in here too. Then the return pump in the last section. Any thoughts / comments?



Has anyone else made their own out of perpex? How did you cut it? I'm having problems cutting it straight... (and its nothing to do with the beer.) I've been trying to use a jig-saw but as im going along, using bit of wood to provide a straight edge, the blade starts to bend. I have proper acrylic blades. Anyone any ideas?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[ikon]

the sketch looks good. but dont use a jigsaw to cut the acrylic! ive had the same problem in the past..you must use a table saw that has a firm circle blade otherwise you wont get a straight cut. then you must use a router on every edge that will be glued to make a clean smooth contact surface. heres a link about building acrylic tanks: http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_...ic_aquarium.php

 

[SkiFletch]

Two thoughts. First, teh middle of the 3 bubble walls should start at the top of the sump tank and proceed down to keep bubbles out even if you overfill. Second, depending on your dimensions, you may want to make the pump compartment a little wider unless you plan on using an auto topoff

 

[knoxy]

Cool thanks. I thought about the bubble wall, but then i though it best to have it like that then if it does overflow then there is more room. I make it a bit closer to the top but maybe leave a 1cm gap (just in case). Yeah the pump compartment may need to be wider. I'm going to build the outer box first then once I have bought the pump and the skimmer I'll know exactly how much room I have to play with.

Auto topoff is a possibilty. (This is done using fresh R/O water right - ie not salted?)

Thanks for the advise.

Mike

 

[SkiFletch]

Remember Mike, water seeks its own level so if there is some overflow in the left most compartment and the middle bubble wall goes from the top of the tank down to an inch or so from the bottom, water will spill through the bubble wall into the second chamber. Trust me, you want that bubble wall all the way to the top