CUSTOM Acrylic Fluorescent Sump, and the 150 Gallon build

[Mason Michalski]

I have been working on this 40 gallon breeder sump conversion for the last week or so, and I am looking for constructive feedback. In the works is piping, along with a fluorescent dowel plan to make the sump baffles glow once a UV led strip is installed in cabinet! Going Orange Section 40 with grey unions and valves. Following that is the mounting of all of the Apex Gear on the left wall of the cabinet.

 

[Mason Michalski]

Fluorescent Lucite Dowels being cut to line the sump and it's baffles
https://www.etsy.com/listing/826542...ic_search_click=1&frs=1&variation0=1438233493

UV Light being mounted in cabinet to light Lucite Rods

 

[F i s h y]

Can't wait to see your design come to life!

 

[Mason Michalski]

Can't wait to see your design come to life!

Thank you! I am just as excited to put rubber to pavement here, should have physical progress in the next week or so

 

[Mason Michalski]

Plumbing Blueprint is all done, going Orange Schedule 40 with grey fittings, and plenty of Unions to assist with ease of access during scheduled bi-annual cleaning of the pipes. I don't exactly know why on the filter sock area, it knocks down instead of going straight to a T then elbow. May tweak the design.

 

[Mason Michalski]

I have been working on what originally was a 40 gallon breeder sump conversion for the last 2 months or so, and I am looking for constructive feedback. In the works is an entire sump build customizable in design and color (I have Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow, Red, and Purple) This current one for my 150, is an Apex themed sump with a rim that will glow orange once a UV led strip is installed in cabinet! Along with that, opaque grey lids to match the Apex Neptune aesthetic. I've got a pending trademark for "PlasmaSumps" to start a trial production of these sumps with a local glass/acrylic manufacturer to fit a demand for sumps under or in the $500-$600 range (UPDATE: I made it well below this and I am in the $400 retail price range, at cost for those who want to get a test run will be lower priced) with different glowing color options under low wattage UV Leds. PLEASE GIVE FEEDBACK, but be constructive. I will be working on a Nano option next. This sump will be entirely made of Domestic Cell Cast Acrylic of reputable brands, either Polycast, Polyone, Arkema ( I went with this), or Reynolds R for its quality and strength.

REMINDER: This is a personal project for my 150, I would not be upset if this idea actually took off and people actually wanted one as I am going through my first prototype.

UPDATE: ALL my baffles and the Rim are made out of 1/4" Domestic Cell Cast

1. Crash area/drain from DT ( top right of the rim, has two bulk heads)
2.Filter Sock Chamber, goes through the filter socks, down through a panel, up through a bubble trap, through some slits and goes down a marine pure ball chamber, or biological media of your choice) second chamber highlighted by the rim on the second far left section/
3. Skimmer, Media Reactor, dosing chamber
4.Ato tank is the top middle section (Holds 5 Gallons with several inches of space left)
5. In front of the ATO Chamber is the return pump ( I could move these two chambers to the end, but I wanted my refugium on the end so that I can split the flow 75/25 from the DT, 25% goes to the refugium)
6/7. Refugium. 10 gallons filled

I figured having it go mechanical filtration (socks), biological filtration (marine pure balls), and then the mechanical/chemical filtration (skimmer/reactor) picking up excess bacteria and fine waste particles would make for a clean sump/system. All chambers including the holder for the filter socks, and marine pure balls are accessible for cleaning.

 

[Mason Michalski]

[Deleted, outdated 2D Model]

 

[Mason Michalski]

[Changed]

 

[McCarrick]

Looking great so far! I always think it's more fun to design things yourself! Makes the result way more worth it.

 

[Mason Michalski]

Looking great so far! I always think it's more fun to design things yourself! Makes the result way more worth it.

Oh extremely! And, so far, for the custom sump, and the schedule 40 plumbing with gate valves, I am still under the cost of commercial grade custom sump by a lot. I hope I can inspire other people to create their own set ups!

 

[Mason Michalski]

Went to full acrylic for the Sump Build

 

[Mason Michalski]

Here is an update on the sump for my 150 gallon build!

 

[Mason Michalski]

Just waiting for the front of the waitlist with my cnc work on the sump, but in the meantime I ordered a bunch of stuff from BRS on Black Friday for this build! 48" Aquatic Life T5 Led Hybrid Fixture, along with the newer Maxspect Jump 8k DC Return Pump. Excited to give my thoughts on these products as I get them up and running.

48" Hybrid T5HO 4x54W Fixture

Welcome to the future of aquarium lighting! Combine your favorite LED Light module along with Aquatic Lifes T5 lighting fixture to create a stellar lighting system! Accepts many of your favorite LED lighting modules! Includes standard LED Light Brackets Powder Coated Aluminum Frame Individual...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Jump DC 8K Controllable Return Pump (2113 GPH)

Jump DC pumps deliver powerful, controllable flow at an affordable price. With their first venture into the return pump market, Maxspect looks to shake things up and depart from the typical mold. While the Jump series pumps follow a very different aesthetic, it's the guts of these pumps that...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

T5 Blue Plus

Why does BRS recommend this? The Blue Plus bulb is by the hottest selling T5 bulb available, for its crisp blue, that brings out awesome coloration in corals.&nbsp: ATI has been some of the most sought-after bulbs in the reef aquarium hobby. With their bright crisp colors, ATI are our number...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Mason Michalski]

Tank is coming along well, mounted the light to the ceiling. Close to being ready. Just waiting on the sump to be finished and then I can finish the plumbing

 

[Mason Michalski]

Can anyone point out any faults in my final piping revision?

 

[Mason Michalski]

Got the sump rim CNC'd and cut out, just waiting for my sister to test negative for covid before I head back to the work shop and start bonding the panels and baffles

 

[mthtitan]

Got the sump rim CNC'd and cut out, just waiting for my sister to test negative for covid before I head back to the work shop and start bonding the panels and baffles

That is so cool, great job

 

[Mason Michalski]

That is so cool, great job

Thank you so much! It's amazing how long a build can take lol, I am just ready for it to be set up

 

[Mason Michalski]

Update on sump build. Weld on 4 is very easy to use, bonds are strong and seams look good. Curing for 72 hours while I build the sump wall around internals

 

[Mason Michalski]

Sump is done and cured, as well as fully plumbed, had to slightly tweak the plumbing from my diagram but otherwise stayed true to plan.