mrramsey's 72gal Bowfront with Sump Project

**ijankrom** · 02-19-2013, 09:55 PM

Depending on the size of your drip plate an alternative is a picture frame box.

**KevinVA** · 02-19-2013, 10:28 PM

Very impressive planning. I look forward to seeing this come to fruition.

**mrramsey** · 02-20-2013, 04:05 PM

I have placed my orders at Big Al's and Dr's Foster & Smith for the following items:

Danner Supreme Mag Drive 1800 pump
3 gallons of bio balls
Aqueon Pro 250w heater
Digital thermometer
AquaticLife 108w T-5 freshwater fixture

And a few misc items...

Project total so far: $753
I don't anticipate much more in build cost other that some lumber for the stand. I have the plywood, electrical, substrates. Though I am sure I will be running this for a little while empty just to dial in the flow rates and sump etc.

**Hardy85** · 02-20-2013, 05:05 PM

Awesome to see this coming together finally. Any idea what you plan to have in it?

**mrramsey** · 02-20-2013, 06:17 PM

Not totally sure yet - definitely a larger school of small fish like Neon or Cardinal Tetras.

**mrramsey** · 02-22-2013, 10:38 PM

Ok one small glitch in the sump design has shown up... I received the pump, heater, bio balls, and the thermometer today. The glass is ready to pick up. The heater I got is too long to use if I install the bubble trap. So now the question, is the bubble trap necessary for this application?

sump3.jpg

**Cliff** · 02-22-2013, 10:47 PM

Without the bubble trap, you risk having bubbles suched up by the return pump and pumped into your display tank.

However, two baffles with a very course sponge inbetween then can work as well. Might be worth a try, but it has to be a very course sponge so it will not slow down the flow.

I would suggest trying the sponge first. You can always add a third baffle latter if that doesn't happen. You will have keep a close eye on that sponge and clean it often to make sure it won't restirct the flow.

**mrramsey** · 02-23-2013, 12:49 AM

I think I can make it work if I change the secondary filter bay from 3" to 1.5" I also can pick up a half inch or so at the bubble trap as I have them spaced a bit on the wide side. If I space them about 3/4" apart that should still be adequate flow. I also trimmed down the Bio Chamber by 1/2" (still gives me just shy of 3 gallons of bio balls)

intake chamber 1.5"
bio chamber 7"
secondary filter/additive chamber 1.5"
equip chamber 10.5"
bubble trap 3/4" each
pump chamber 6"

Along with this I did raise the operating water level by 1/2".

**mrramsey** · 02-24-2013, 01:34 PM

I have received / picked up most of the materials I need to get the project rolling. Picked up the lumber at Lowes yesterday.

Today I am starting construction on the stand since that is what I need to finalize the plumbing. I am just starting with the base for now and will add the plumbing covers and canopy after it is all done.

I will take progress pics this afternoon.

**mrramsey** · 02-24-2013, 10:04 PM

Well I spent today working in the garage building the stand frame. All in all I am pretty happy with the results. I made a change to my design the other day and cut it down to 29" deep instead of 30". Good thing I did because it would not have made it in the house if I didn't ~ LOL.

The lumber pile...

The bottom frame.

Support spacers...