Looking for help with adding a sump

[upnorth77]

Hi everyone. I've been in the hobby for about 7 months now, coming over from decades on the freshwater side. My goal is to have a good-sized reef tank, but I started with a 36 gallon bowfront 7 months ago, which has morphed into a 40G breeder tank after that one started leaking. This is my "starter" tank as I learn the ropes. I started with just a HOB Tidal 110, but the tank has evolved over the months. I've added an ATO, new wavemakers for flow, a Tunze 9004 Skimmer, took out a bunch of rock to make room for fish and flow, and spent the last 3 months (mostly) successfully battling terrible GHA. I've learned a lot. Now, I'm ready for my next step, and that's to add a sump to the mix. My tank is a cheapo from Petco, and I'm not going to drill it. My plan is to use an Eshoppe HOB overflow, probably with a 20L tank and DIY sump kit. Are there any guides on how to do this properly? I've found a few videos on Youtube, but I'm not quite ready to go on this yet. I want to add a sump to a) add water volume, b) give me space to add reactors in the future, c) hide all the unsightly bits from the display tank, and d) learn!

The goal is to use everything I learn to set up a 4-6' system in my living room.

 

[Uncle99]

Careful with the HOB return, they can lose syphon.
Anything running outside the system can leak.
Drill is better.

 

[upnorth77]

Careful with the HOB return, they can lose syphon.
Anything running outside the system can leak.
Drill is better.

I know it is. Maybe I'll look into it. Drilling a tank filled with livestock gives me anxiety.

 

[rob6405]

For similar reasons I went with the Fiji cube AIO drop in kit for my 40 breeder. I felt like it was a step up from a HOB before I also eventually go to a larger tank.

Just another idea for you.

 

[BryanM]

I know it is. Maybe I'll look into it. Drilling a tank filled with livestock gives me anxiety.

Something tells me he wasn't suggesting to drill a currently running tank :o

 

[upnorth77]

For similar reasons I went with the Fiji cube AIO drop in kit for my 40 breeder. I felt like it was a step up from a HOB before I also eventually go to a larger tank.

Just another idea for you.

If I had it to do over again, I'd go this route, or just go with an AIO tank to start with. I started with an Aqua Ready HOB-R, but couldn't get it to stop leaking effectively.

 

[upnorth77]

Something tells me he wasn't suggesting to drill a currently running tank :o

Youtube can defnitely be a bad influence.

 

[ScottJ]

Check out LifeReef hang on overflows;
https://www.lifereef.com/siphon.html

I've been running one on an Aqueon 55 gallon for over 3 years, never a hiccup. No siphon loss, no problems turning off the return and restarting, which I do at least every week. It's been extremely reliable. Great alternative to a drilled tank.

 

[Uncle99]

I know it is. Maybe I'll look into it. Drilling a tank filled with livestock gives me anxiety.

I missed the full part.

Yes for sure, I would not drill with livestock, only dry.
So that’s out.

I would not drill my Petco 65g and just left the filter and skimmer HOB.

If hiding equipment is the goal, no other choice to get water out to sump than HOB overflow.

Many use those successfully.