idea about making a sump filter

[flydustydawg]

Ive been thinking about building my own sump system. The only thing that cost a lot is the pump. So here is what I was thinking. Why not just use the canister filter as the pump.

Im not sure that it would work but maybe one of you will. I would put the intake in the sump tank were you usually put your pump. Then just run the outflow up to the tank as usual. Of course I would need an over flow to get the water back down to the tank.

This would allow me to get double filtration. It would first run through a complete filtration system in the pump. Then through the canister. Nothing wrong with to much filtration right?

The only thing I dont know is does the intake have to be higher than the pump for it to work properly? Would it be to much strain on the motor?

Well that was my hair brained idea for the day. Any thought?

[Cliff]

It could work.

If I were you, I would just use the canister and forget about taking it apart for your sump. IMO, the best way (and the only way I would have a sump) is if you can at least get a HOB overflow and a return pump. This way you don't have to worry about the siphon breaking in the event of a power or flooding from your tank draining

Setting it up the way you are thinking about could drain your tank in the event of a power failure. When The power would come back on you could empty the water in the sump and with no water reurning from the tank, it would burn out your pump. Too risky for me.

I have seen info on-line were others have done it tho

[flydustydawg]

I dont know how sumps work all that great to begin with, but how would it be different than using a return pump?

I wouldnt take apart the canister filter. I would just put the intake hose from the tank in the sump itself. Then have the out flow going back to the tank. So the whole canister would be outside of the sump tank. I would get a HOB overflow also.

If the power went out wouldnt it only drain untill the water leavel was below the overflow? So it couldnt drain my whole tank right? I see what you are saying about the pump burning out if the power went out. but wouldnt that happen with a return pump also?

[Cliff]

My only concern is that your canister intake is base on a siphon. Even If you have the intake just below the waterline of your main tank and the power goes out (which would not drain your tank) you would still lose your siphon. When the power came back on, the cannister or return pump would turn on, overflowing the main tank with with the water from the sump and burning out the motor when the sump was emptied.

You should use something like this so you wan't loose your siphon:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Also, if you go to u-tube, you can find a lot of DIY sump videos that explain sumps a lot better than I can.

I hope this helps

[flydustydawg]

Ok thanks I think that cleared things up a little for me. Ill keep doing some more research.

My tank does not so this is not really relevant, but if a tank has overflows that are drilled into the tank, you would not have to worry about it over flowing when the power came back on correct? Then there is no siphon to worry about.

[Cliff]

if a tank has overflows that are drilled into the tank, you would not have to worry about it over flowing when the power came back on correct? Then there is no siphon to worry about.

Your on the right track here. Having a tank drilled is the best way way, IMO, for setting-up a sump as you don't have a siphon to maintain. You will get some water draining back into you main tank should the power go off. This is controlled / limited by how you set up your drain and return line. You just have to leave some room in your sump to be able to handle that amount of water.

That's how I set-up my sump on my SW tank. When the power goes off, 10 to 12 gallons of water drains back into the sump then stops once the water level in the main tank drops below my drain line in the tank. The sump fills up to the top with this this extra water. When the power comes back on, the return pump comes back on and moves this 10 to 12 gallons back intot he main tank and the system returns to normal.

Just remember that a lot of sump designs that you find on U-tube and sites like that can be way over complicated. This can be even more true when you look at SW set-ups with things like calcium reactors and other equipment some people like to use. You can have a very simple sump that will give you great water quality. IMO, the simpler, the better.

I hope I've helped you here

[Crispy]

your idea will work, but is not entirely efficient. your overflow, although able to 'skim' the top of the water, will not pull enough debris out of your water column and you will end up with lots of sediment and floating particles. having the canister pulling water straight from the tank is much better for your mechanical filtration. sumps are better for the bio end, and although they have floss and filter socks and such for mech filtration, this is mainly to keep the bio media from clogging and not to do the mechanical load of the tank.

so having your canister pull from your sump would be nulling the mech work it could be doing in the tank. you'll also be changing the mech media in your sump much more frequently.

[flydustydawg]

your idea will work, but is not entirely efficient. your overflow, although able to 'skim' the top of the water, will not pull enough debris out of your water column and you will end up with lots of sediment and floating particles. having the canister pulling water straight from the tank is much better for your mechanical filtration. sumps are better for the bio end, and although they have floss and filter socks and such for mech filtration, this is mainly to keep the bio media from clogging and not to do the mechanical load of the tank.

so having your canister pull from your sump would be nulling the mech work it could be doing in the tank. you'll also be changing the mech media in your sump much more frequently.


Very good point I did not think of this. That would leave a lot of the debris to be taken out only with vacuum syphoning. I dont think I would like the extra build up.

[Crispy]

Very good point I did not think of this. That would leave a lot of the debris to be taken out only with vacuum syphoning. I dont think I would like the extra build up.

you're welcome... thats why we're here. :22: