Sump design, how does it look?

[DB junkie]

I've never drilled glass. Switched over to almost all acrylic tanks. The Gl*******s guys make it look easy though...LOL You could always go with acrlic for the sump. Just buy the first thing you can find on Craigs list.... Or even a rubbermaid... Not a tote but like an ag vat....... But it would be kinda ugly/hard to hide.

Are you dead set on using a glass tank as a sump?

 

[LowCel]

Yes, I am dead set on using a glass tank as my sump. I know that other ways will work but I have done it with glass tanks in the past and I am pretty comfortable with using them. The drilling thing is all that I am really concerned about as far as construction. I am actually looking forward to making it.

 

[DB junkie]

Sounds good.... I think it will be a VERY respectable sump when finished. Just follow Chompers advice and check out the glazzholes video if you haven't seen it allready and you should be good to go.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

i have drilled about 25 holes in tanks in my life and never broke a tank until my last one. (and also my biggest tank). What i did wrong was i used a regular corded drill with no clutch. The glass was 1/2'' thick and i was about 3/4 thru and the drill grabbed and craked the back pane across long ways. Probably a 6' crack. If i had used a clutched drill set on the lowest setting (like usual). The drill would have stopped rotating and no broken glass. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------So my tip for drilling is to only use a clutched drill set on the lowest clutch setting and keep the bit really wet.

 

[HaleMoana]

Practice on an old 10 gallon or something you have laying around in the garage. I personally have not drilled a tank before, but I have seen it done it looks easy enough.
Do a search on YouTube. There are plenty of informative demo's out there. good luck with it.

 

[phishy]

I don't normally give advice, but your setup is so similar to mine that I thought I might post a few things. I converted an old 55 gallon acrylic aquarium into a wet/dry sump almost identical to the way you have yours. I also drilled my tank and installed an overflow box from gl*******z that has two 2" overflow pipes. I'm using a Dart Sequence pump going into undergravel jets. You're doing the right thing by asking lots of questions here. I'm having a few problems with my sump. You are correct about the Dart Sequence pump having a 2" inlet. I routed the 1 1/2" outlet of the pump over the back of the tank. I've teed in at water level and put a 3/4" ball valve in to about a 20" spray bar and then I ran the 1 1/2" to the bottom of the tank and teed in five 3/4" pipes that run the full length of the tank, drilling small holes every four inches. So far I'm real happy with the way the undergravel jets are working. It seems to keep most of the debris suspended until the filters can pick it up. Here is where I got some of my ideas...
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69943&highlight=ugj
I really feel you would have a better operating system if you could drill your tank for the inlet of your pump. I know that is not possible if you have tempered glass. Keep us posted on your progress!

 

[likestofish]

I just moded your original design to what i would do

 

[puffcrusader696]

I just moded your original design to what i would do

that looks a bit complicated lol but good anyways

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

I still prefer my version.

 

[LowCel]

I still prefer my version.

Your design is by far my favorite so far. Probably the most efficient as well.