What to use for a sump inside a stand under 11 inches wide.

**Strider199** · 01-12-2013, 08:30 PM

I already had that trip Korith. Walmart, Canadian Tire, Lowe's; I've been there looking for a water tight container with the dimensions that fit. No luck. But today I found a 16 gallon tall which is only 10 inches wide. It's being cleaned as I speak. Baffles will be glued in tomorrow. Since my B-Day is coming up I see a skimmer in my future. hehehe

**Strider199** · 01-19-2013, 07:38 PM

Update on sump; I am finally cutting the acrylic baffles today. 6mm acrylic and a hand tool. Wow is this fun. hehehe

I didn't get a skimmer for my B-Day so thats something I'll be shopping for in the near future. Any thoughts of a skimmer for a 55 gallon reef type set-up? Yes cost is a consideration.

I have the sump marked with tape and will silicon the 4 baffles in later today.
It has taken me over a week to determine the height and placement of the baffles. There is a ton of info on the net which had me changing my concept after every read. I have nailed it down to three compartments, in-coming water, baffle, sump area, three baffles (bubble trap style), and return pump compartment.
I only wish my tank stand was wider so I could get a larger sump under it. 10 inches restricts a persons imagination.

**korith** · 01-19-2013, 07:47 PM

Silicone doesn't bond well with acrylic. Might be able to hold it in place if you put a lot of silicone on either side of it to hold in place. If you find it doesn't work well, you can try a product called weldon,

**Cliff** · 01-19-2013, 07:57 PM

If I remember correctly, this is a all acrylic sump. If yes you are good to go, not not, +1 to the above.

I would suggest the below skimmers as options. All three skimmers are moderatly prices (under $300) and all should nicely do the job for your set-up. I have personal experiance with vertex and Skimz skimmers and have found them to proform very very well for a mid price point skimmer. I have not used the bubble magnus (yet) but two friends of mine do and they are very happy with them.

The vertex IN100

http://www.vertexaquaristik.com/Prod...ies/IN100.aspx

A bubble Magnus
http://www.reefsupplies.ca/online-st...e-Skimmer.html

A Skimz SK181
http://www.skimz.sg/products/protein...age/sk181.html

Just make sure you leave enough room in your sump for what ever skimmer you choose to purchase, both the lenght and width in the sump and the total hight under the stand

**Strider199** · 01-20-2013, 02:32 AM

The tank is glass and the baffles are acrylic. I do have aquarium safe silicon on the baffles a little thick so I'm hoping they will stay in place tomorrow when I water test it.

Does weldon bond to glass and acrylic???

Thanks for the info on the different skimmers Cliff. I will be checking them out tomorrow, probably get one in two weeks or so. I have some plumbing to do this weekend.

**Cliff** · 01-20-2013, 02:45 AM

Actually, it might be best to get some glass baffles cut to use in a glass sump. I know I was able to get some glass cut were I live and it was about the same cost (maybe a little cheaper) than buying acrylic.

That way you will never have to worry about it failing a few weeks/months/years down the road.

If you have trouble finding a good price on a skimmer, send me a PM. I know one on-line company near you that has pretty good prices

**korith** · 01-20-2013, 03:36 AM

Originally Posted by Strider199

Does weldon bond to glass and acrylic???

Weldon I think would be useless with glass. Weldon works by fusing 2 pieces of acrylic together.

**Strider199** · 01-20-2013, 10:10 PM

Thats what I thought as well Korith. The sump was filled with water between departments and it looks like the unit is water tight. No leakage between sections so far. I bought an overflow box today so I have the plumbing left for next weekend.

Thanks for the option Cliff, I will be looking into getting a skimmer next week or the week after. I'll post the info of what I have available to me. With the members we have here I'm hoping to eliminate the duds.

**ijankrom** · 02-23-2013, 05:06 AM

I understand this thread is a bit old, but how about a standard 10 gallon?

**Strider199** · 02-23-2013, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by ijankrom

I understand this thread is a bit old, but how about a standard 10 gallon?

I felt a 10 gallon would not have enough capacity to handle the over flow if there was a power failure. The 16 gallon holds the extra volume when I unplug the return pump.