PLEASE HELP! Nano Reef Sump

[M0nsterJ]

Hello, I've got an aga 7 gallon minibow that I will be adding a 5 gallon sump to for increased water flow. I will be using a protein skimmer as well, my question is, what equipment will I need and how will I tie all of it together? Please help! Thanks!

[RazerCorals]

Well you would probably want to get an overflow box of some sort. I don't know if it is worth drilling it or not. You should maybe think about upgrading into a 12g and adding a fake wall in the right or left corner.

[M0nsterJ]

That would be nice but I can't now, I'm already in the process of building the custom stand and canopy. Do I really need an overflow or would I be able to run some sort of piping with a pump inside the sump?

[RazerCorals]

What about a Hang on Back sump?

[joey182]

Yeah there is a cpr Aquafuge that mite fit on the back of your tank and that would eliminate the need for a protein skimmer if you put kent marine biosediment and some calerpra. That would also help with calcium and stuff.I think they are around $100. I am going to get one for my 10 gallon nano and my 55 gallon FOWLR that I am making into a reef aquarium. And at www.drsfostersmith.com they sell an over the side plumbing kit for like 40 or 50 dollars. I was thinking of adding a sump to its a good idea. I wish the best of luck to you.

[RazerCorals]

Joey look on ebay under "refugium" and there are some reasonably priced hand made ones from user acryliccity. I bought one and it works fine. The only thing to caution is the arms aren't to strong so I have mine with a piece of wood underneath supporting it and a piece of wood between the wall and the back so it doesn't fall back off the tank. I broke the arm somehow when i was testing it and superglued it back on. So far no problems.

[M0nsterJ]

Joey I checked out that site and there are some pretty cool stuff. Watchman I don't really want a hang on sump because of the stand I'm building I'd like all my equipment (pump, heater, protein skimmer) to underneath out of site so there is less of a cluttered look. I guess what I am asking is with an aga and no holes for overflow how would get water from my tank to a sump below (also how would the sump be built), how would I tie in a protein skimmer into this system and pump the water back into the tank. I have already decided to have only one powerhead in the tank, with a return from the sump below, keeping the return and the powerhead at opposite ends of the tank. That should give sufficient water flow, the only thing I think I am not certain of is how powerful the pumps and powerhead should be. I read something like 6 times the tank size per hour. What do you guys think? Also do you guys think there would be any benifit to my mini reef if I used this wave maker power strip: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=4793

I know I have a lot of questions but I appereciate the help! Thanks!

[RazerCorals]

Monster-OK I understand your situation, what I would suggest is buying a Overflow Box. There are some downsides to this though, if it clogs or the syphon breaks you sump is going to overflow unless proper measures are taken. I am no sump expert but you'd probably want to buy something that can give you 2x of your intake pump on the overflow box. From there you can adjust the pump to keep water level stable. GPH rating for a return also depends on the height it needs to be pumped. Check out www.reefkeeping.com . There is a 3 part article in the column section. Start at the first one and work your way forward. It will explain a lot.