Building a new sump and have a few questions

Trooper182 · Jan 6, 2023

So I'm building a sump for my 75g tank and switching from a canister. I'm doing a 20g long I got from petco for 25 bucks today as the sump. Planning on a eshopps pf-800 hob overflow, aquamaxx AF-1 filter roller. What would you suggest for the return pump and heaters? I was thinking 2- 150w eheim Jager heaters linked to my inkbird controller. Would you do this or just one 300w heater? I know people will say drill the tank and all that but not drilling this tank as it's already a functioning tank and...yea just not drilling this one. Plan is to have first chamber with the filter roller, second chamber will be a refugium with chaeto I'm growing and last chamber as the return. Thanks

Lavey29 · Jan 6, 2023

Vectra M2 return pump and dual helio IM heaters which comes with a controller. They are small and bullet proof.

Lowell Lemon · Jan 6, 2023

I like the Eheim hobby pumps. Very reliable and low power consumption with very little heat transfer. Try to pick a pump that is just below the max water flow for your overflow. If you pick to low a flow the over flow can break siphon with trapped air bubbles.

2 heaters are safer than one.

Trooper182 · Jan 7, 2023

Thanks for the advice! Anyone else?

dwest · Jan 7, 2023

Good choice of heaters. I’d use 2 smaller ones (the 150’s). They are long so make sure they fit.

I would first look at eheim 1260’s (I think that’s the model) for a return pump. I would expect 10 plus years of reliable flow from it. Good luck. I think you’ll like the sump after you get all the bugs worked out.

Trooper182 · Jan 7, 2023

dwest said:
Good choice of heaters. I’d use 2 smaller ones (the 150’s). They are long so make sure they fit.

I would first look at eheim 1260’s (I think that’s the model) for a return pump. I would expect 10 plus years of reliable flow from it. Good luck. I think you’ll like the sump after you get all the bugs worked out.

Thanks, I'm going to take some measurements today to make sure they fit.