Pico Sump

[sucio_reefer]

Hey guys. I have a 3G jbj picotope tht I am looking at setting back up as a Zoa garden. I want to add a small sump to it w/o drilling. I've seen the ac70 diy mod and actually happen to have one laying around but wanted to check my options first.

I'd prefer to use a 2.5g tank and set up a simple sump with section for a refug, bubble trap and return section (may use some carbon/filter combo in the bubble trap). My issue is w/o drilling, I'm not sure how to accommodate this. I've read up on overflow boxes but seen more negative than positive reviews.

Any ideas/past experiences with a non drilled sump flow would be greatly appreciated in this new project. Thanks in advance.

 

[kilralpine]

Hang on overflows can come with high risk. If siphon is lost during power out then there goes your pump (most likely) and all the water in your sump if you arent there to catch it. Some manufacturers of HOB overflows make them to include a little aqua lifter pump to draw a vacuum so that this isnt as likely to happen.

Drilled is the best way to go if its vital that it not leak/overflow. Hands down. :up:

 

[kilralpine]

I will say this though, I used a HOB overflow on my 75g for 2 years and it had no aqua lifter support. Never failed once as long as it remained below the water lines front/back. The only time I had to restart siphons were when i took out the overflow to clean it. It can go either way, still have to accept the risk.

 

[franciscosalazar]

2 Tom's Aqualifter? 1 from the tank to sump, and the second from the sump to tank?

 

[sucio_reefer]

So you had to have the tank and sump at same level? Or the HOB front/back had to be below display water lvl?

 

[marquiseo]

Here is one of the best looking overflows out there but it comes with large price tag:

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0154/5721/files/Mame_overflow_heading.png?406" alt="" />

[IMG]http://saltwater-conversion.com/products/mame-design-overflow">http://saltwater-conversion.com/products/mame-design-overflow</a>



Cheaper option and best option is to drill it and use bulkheads with the strainers like these:
[IMG]http://cdn3.volusion.com/takfy.tqscq/v/vspfiles/photos/PEN31462-2.jpg?1369417916" alt="" />

 

[sucio_reefer]

Wow. Tht is nice. Complicated looking as well lol. I was initially looking at the CPR C-Siphon overflows. Anyone had any experience with those?

 

[tonymission]

Who sells those strainer bulkheads?

 

[marquiseo]

tonymission;992275 wrote: Who sells those strainer bulkheads?

Aquarium Specialty does. They are made by lifeguard.

 

[marquiseo]

sucio_reefer;992274 wrote: Wow. Tht is nice. Complicated looking as well lol. I was initially looking at the CPR C-Siphon overflows. Anyone had any experience with those?

Those overflows are quite popular. Mainly used on planted aquariums but a lot of nano reefers use that overflow with the ADA tanks, Cadlights Zen series, or customer rimless glass boxes. The good thing is that it is an overflow and return combo. Here is a youtube video:


[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=youtube]

 

[marquiseo]

CPR Overflow Video:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=youtube]

 

[kilralpine]

Dude that mame is sick!!!!:shades: Overflow would only require 1 toms aqua lifter, to siphon water thru the overflow tube and into the sump. it will suck out the air if air gets trapped and restart the siphon. U shouldnt need a lifter going from sump to the tank; serves no purpose.

 

[sucio_reefer]

Wow that is pretty clean there. May have to seriously consider that now.

 

[outdrsyguy1]

wow, that Mame looks amazing, but what do you do when the algae starts growing inside the glass tubes? break out the pipe cleaners every week? now black glass, might be cooler imo.

 

[marquiseo]

outdrsyguy1;992392 wrote: wow, that Mame looks amazing, but what do you do when the algae starts growing inside the glass tubes? break out the pipe cleaners every week? now black glass, might be cooler imo.

Soak it in peroxide and water for algae.

Soak it in vinegar and water for coralline algae.

 

[sucio_reefer]

outdrsyguy1;992392 wrote: wow, that Mame looks amazing, but what do you do when the algae starts growing inside the glass tubes? break out the pipe cleaners every week? now black glass, might be cooler imo.

On their website it said it can come apart for cleaning. Soaking it may be a better way to go tho. I'd hate to accidentally break tryna get them loose or putting it back together.

 

[newjack]

Just for laughs, here is a sump for a Pico that a friend made in NYC

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