DIY Sump

[jason7274]

After watching countless videos on YouTube, I've decided to build my first sump and picked up a 20L at Petco last weekend. I haven't decided between purchasing a baffle kit or making them myself. For those who have built a sump, did you cut your own glass or buy a kit? If I buy a kit, I'm leaning towards this one from Jax Racks because I can get cut outs for socks/cups and an adjustable baffle.

I'll document my progress here. Wish me luck, haha!

 

[Steve Burton]

For my 20L I bought the glass dividers from a glass company with one edge of each piece polished. It was rather expensive, if I were to make another I'd cut and polish them myself. I have some extra glass if you decide to do it yourself.

 

[90gDreams]

I've done it 3 ways. Glass, true DIY Acrylic, and Fiji Cube kit. I think if you have the right tools sitting around already and don't mind spending the time doing it a DIY acrylic setup will work good. Glass was a pain in the butt and not worth the headache in my opinion. The Fiji Cube setup in my opinion was the best balance of money and time.

This is what I currently have:

Fiji Cube Sump Baffle Kit - 20 Gallon Long

This DIY sump kit is designed to convert a 20 gallon long glass aquarium tank into a fully functional sump. Please see the build thread of the 40 Gallon Breeder DIY Sump here. Features: Integrated filter sock holders that can hold two 4” filter bags Filter sock silencers to lower noise caused by...

www.fijicube.com

 

[jcook54]

I was just looking at one of the kits at Exotic Marine Systems.

 

[jason7274]

I’ve got a Fiji Cube AIO insert for a 20L in my office and I like it. Knowing me, a kit is probably the best option. I’ll take look at Exotic Marine as well. I’d like a refugium section too. One thing is certain, there are several kits out there.

 

[Adam]

There's not a lot of room in a 20L for a fuge chamber and a skimmer. If you go with a fuge you'd want black opaque acrylic so algae and film doesn't grow where to don't want it.

The pricing is pretty close between Fiji and EMS so it'd be down to personal preference. Here's a link.

Sump Kits – Exotic Marine Systems

 

[Nanolover]

it's doable if you go to a local glass shop for the standard regular glass.

 

[viethluu]

I built 2 sumps from 20 gallons and 40 gallons tanks. I used thicker pieces of acrylic 3/4", which to me better than glass material.

 

[chaples55]

IMO glass dividers work best in a glass tank because silicone adheres to it much better than acrylic. My first ever DIY sump used acrylic and one of the baffles eventually came apart.

Also a PSA: LOWE'S (not Home Depot) CUTS GLASS FOR YOU FOR FREE! Thus making glass a cheap AND EASY option.

 

[90gDreams]

Fijicube 20l baffle kit is pretty slick. I like mine. I just run a fuge in one chamber and rock in another. I disagree on not enough room for a skimmer and a fuge though. I could easily have made it work but just choose to not run skimmers because I'm cheap and lazy.

 

[Jayo]

I actually have one you can have if you like. PM me and i'll send you pics.

 

[Jayo]

20 Gallon sump

Typical 20 gallon breeder with baffle systems set up. No filter sock holders (cause it’s got a large fuge section and I hate filter socks 🤣). Measurements shown are skimmer section. $35 pick up off of South Cobb Drive.

atlantareefclub.org

 

[Steve Burton]

I've got a disassembled 29 gallon if you want some glass, you can have if you want it.
Edit: Ah, just noticed how old this thread is.

 

[Jayo]

Edit: Ah, just noticed how old this thread is.

I missed that myself!