Need Help Adding Sump

1655 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by NotoriousENG, Nov 7, 2021

Bimmerknut

Discussion Starter · Nov 6, 2021

Thanks for the addition to the group. I'm the new kid on the block here as I've come to ask help on getting my 80-gallon tank that is NOT DRILLED set up for plants. As the picture shows, I have a discontinued Pro Clear 150 Wet/Dry Sump to incorporate. I'm seeing HOB overflows but I'm also reading that it's not a preferred method to go. If I drill the tank, are we talking bulkhead here or bottom drilling? In either case what are my best options for plumbing? In-tank overflow box? SO many questions here. But I need a starting point and to do that I need to determine the best direction for maintenance and cost. I will be using CO2 as I already have a 25# canister and regulator. I've got 100# of Eco-Complete and haven't decided on a top substrate yet. My goal is to put together a successful planted tank, with the fish being of second importance.
So, who would like to help mentor me through this process and give some clarity as to how to best approach this?

Thanks!

~David

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mistergreen

· #2 · Nov 6, 2021

Most planted tank folks don’t use a sump. I have a sump for my rack of 10g tanks but they’re not planted tanks. The sump is a point where you degass your valuable co2.
I drill holes on the side of my tanks. You can get cheap bulkheads on amazon or eBay. Get the right glass hole saw bit too and practice drilling on scrap glass first.

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NotoriousENG

· #3 · Nov 7, 2021

I run a sumped tank and it's great but sometimes I wish I hadn't set it up this way. There are just more things that can go wrong with a sump.

That being said I would recommend drilling the tank (as long as it's not tempered!). A drilled overflow is safer since you don't have to worry about losing siphon as you do for hang-on back overflows. You will still have to worry about leaves clogging your weir teeth and drains.

The simplest method in my opinion would be to get one of the internal/external low profile overflow kits like the eshopps eclipse or prodigy or something similar from another brand. With a tank, that size you will probably want to run a bean animal drain set up or a the very least a Herbie style drain for extra flood safety.

I use the eshopps eclipse s on my tank and it works well as long as you are careful with the initial alignment. Since my tank is rimmed I did not use the included drill guide as it would have put my water level too low. I have details on my tank's plumbing in my journal if you are interested.

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Bimmerknut

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 7, 2021

NotoriousENG said:
I run a sumped tank and it's great but sometimes I wish I hadn't set it up this way. There are just more things that can go wrong with a sump.

That being said I would recommend drilling the tank (as long as it's not tempered!). A drilled overflow is safer since you don't have to worry about losing siphon as you do for hang-on back overflows. You will still have to worry about leaves clogging your weir teeth and drains.

The simplest method in my opinion would be to get one of the internal/external low profile overflow kits like the eshopps eclipse or prodigy or something similar from another brand. With a tank, that size you will probably want to run a bean animal drain set up or a the very least a Herbie style drain for extra flood safety.

I use the eshopps eclipse s on my tank and it works well as long as you are careful with the initial alignment. Since my tank is rimmed I did not use the included drill guide as it would have put my water level too low. I have details on my tank's plumbing in my journal if you are interested.

Your setup would better give me at least some barometer as to setting up a similar design on mine. Much appreciate your sharing!

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NotoriousENG

· #5 · Nov 7, 2021

@Bimmerknut Glad to help!

Here are some pictures of the overflow and plumbing.

Plant Liquid Rectangle Groundcover Aquatic plant

Gas Electronic device Machine Gadget Room

Liquid Solution Kitchen appliance Fluid Home appliance

Also, take a look at post 24 in my journal here at APC, I describe the overflow box and drilling process in more detail there.

For a little more info and pictures on the plumbing take a look at my journal for the same tank on a reef2reef. When I was working on how to set up my sump I found the reef forums to be super helpful since most reef tanks run sumps while few planted tanks do.

If you want more details or pictures on any of the plumbing, sump, etc just let me know.

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Need Help Adding Sump

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