Jos' 40gal B + 20gal sump (DIY) Thread

[josvanmeer]

Hello all!

I have never done a build thread on my 40gal B tank and right now it would be too late since its been running for at least half a year already since I upgraded it from an Aquatop 24gal AIO tank.

But! I am currently doing an upgrade on my 40gal and that is switching from my Fluval 307 canister filter to a proper sump with overflow.

Here is my old setup:
Aqueon 40gal B
Fluval 307 Canister Filter
Tunze 9004 Protein Skimmer
Ecotech Radion Gen 4 XR30W Pro /w Diffuser
Jebao CP90 Gyre, Aqueon Pro 100w Heater x2

And here is my current progress on the sump build: (More pics to follow when I get more work done tomorrow)
Before anyone asks, I got the acrylic baffle set from Jax Rax on eBay, it costs about $100 for a 20gal long kit. It's really nice.

Pics:

Overall the PVC could have been way cleaner glued but it was my very first time gluing PVC so I'll cut myself some slack.

The overflow box is from Marine Depot, the 800GPH. I originally bought a Blue Ocean Overflow which arrived cracked at my house and I returned that one since I noticed the acrylic they used was also very thin and more issues would probably loom around the corner, so I went with the Marine Depot instead, and I am really pleased with the build quality and the thicker acrylic they used, also looks neater and is lower profile in the back, so all and all if you are in the market for a great affordable siphon overflow, go with Marine Depot!

Plumbing comes from BRS mostly, except for the check and gate valve.
I found a 3/4 barbed check valve on eBay they use for hot tubs mostly, but since I needed a guaranteed no back siphon on the return valve, this is what I put in between the pump and return.

Thanks for checking out my thread! I hope you stick around for more pics. I am waiting for the silicone to cure on the sump, and then I am hooking it all up to the tank tomorrow. Hopefully nothing leaks

Cheers!

 

[Nelsons_reef]

Sump is looking good. great job!

 

[josvanmeer]

As promised, here is an update.

It's up and running and nothing leaks, did several tests simulating losing siphon and pump shutoff, and nothing should ever flood my house.

Here is a video of the whole setup, the protein skimmer is still in the tank because apparently its too tall for the sump compartment because the intake is all the way up top, it is not meant to be a sump skimmer so I will have to replace this thing. Coming soon, and open to suggestions for a small skimmer, I can house anything with a footprint of 9,5x12







Here are some pics:

If you watch the video, I have managed to tune the siphon completely silent and its honestly amazing. The return is running at 50% so it should be close to 400gph as this is a Jebao DCP3000, and it has capacity for 900gph.
I will probably let it run at 65% since the lift reduces its flow by a bit so 65% should be closer to 400gph, I am no engineer but looking at the flow and feeling the output it feels like about the same as my Fluval 307 which shouldve been around 300gph. This is a bigger output nozzle so I'm guessing were running at what I am aiming for.

I am happy with the result, I am still waiting on the filter socks, because me being a dummy I totally forgot I needed those and ordered them too late so they are coming in tomorrow a day late but thats fine.

Plans? Starting up a pod hotel in the last compartment, so the pods can breed and grow without being eaten, and if they want to take a ride on the return flow train then I will have an automatic feeder going

Also looking for a new skimmer since mine isnt meant to work in a sump.

More updates coming.

 

[josvanmeer]

for some reason I cannot delete the last picture it looks so awkward, editing is pointless, it somehow does not save.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Hey Jos, nice build.
I have the same set up. Even the same baffle kit and return pump. LoL

I am curious with your bubble trap placement. I put mine in the end before the return pump only.
I would think the chamber after the socks, thats for your skimmer, right?
What will you put on the chamber just before the return pump? Just rocks? Or refugium there?

 

[josvanmeer]

Hey Jos, nice build.
I have the same set up. Even the same baffle kit and return pump. LoL

I am curious with your bubble trap placement. I put mine in the end before the return pump only.
I would think the chamber after the socks, thats for your skimmer, right?
What will you put on the chamber just before the return pump? Just rocks? Or refugium there?

Most of the bubbles exit immediately through the baffle forcing the water up to the filter socks. The whole sump is absolutely crystal clear, the only reason I have some microbubbles now is because I had to unplug the protein skimmer and put it back in the tank, and its kind of running in overdrive because of the elevated water level, but that will be gone in a few hours.

The Skimmer (that I need to replace now) will be chamber 2, and that chamber has the height adjustable weir, forcing water down few filter floss, and Seachem Matrix I have stacked on top of each other in that channel. Chamber 3 will have the Pods, I will put a bed of denitrate in there and put a few pieced of Caribsea Liferock in there since I still have some left. Return pump is last chamber.

 

[Philly Reefer]

I remembered now why I had the bubble trap only for the last chamber.
With your current set up, both chambers after the bubble trap would go lower with vaporation.
I wanted only on the last chamber so its less salinity swing with the ato.

 

[josvanmeer]

The ATO takes care of the top off and no salinity swings. My return chamber is the first chamber to lose water level, so to prevent swings I put the sensor in there and should keep the salinity super stable.

 

[josvanmeer]

I just ordered the AquaMaxx ConeS Q-1 In-Sump Protein Skimmer at Marine Depot, will update on delivery & installation!
It is a bit oversized for the current setup, but next year I should move the 40g into a 75gal so it would be perfect at a heavy bioload. Its rated for 80gal heavy bioload. I chose this specific model because of its low footprint, I know I have space in the sump chamber but extra space to move things around or get your hands in is always nice, so hence I went for this one.

 

[josvanmeer]

Update!
I have had this skimmer installed and running for a day now, it's super quiet and can handle a heavy bioload up to 80gal and so I will be good for a while since the 40gal will turn into a 75gal when I empty my other fish tank.

It is an Aquamaxx Cones Q1

For now the sump will be running like this for a while, I might add new livestock soon and add a UV Sterilizer to kill Protozoa in the near future.