Earthling84

So I am setting up a 10 or 20 gallon sump for my 55gallon saltwater tank. I have ordered the overflow box(800gph) and a 317gallon pump for return. I also bought tubing and tube clamps.

I had an idea though. Which I was hoping I could use in place of the pump. Or maybe with the pump(i should only be at about 600gph max with both running, so overflow should keep up).

my idea is to use my canister, which is currently set just to the main tank. I plan on taking the intake tube of the canister and placing it in the sump, then having the return go to the main tank. This would take water from the sump to main tank, then the overflow would drain back to sump.

Is there any problems with this idea? This is my first sump and I don't know much about them. I have read a lot of info and think I have the general idea, but any information would be great!

thanks!

Peterpiper

Hi Earthling84,
By using the canister filter as a return pump from the sump back to the main tank, you will reduce the flow rate as the filter has to lift the water.
When a canister filter has its suction and discharge at the same level it will not lose flow.
Power heads have what is called head height.. if a power head is rated to 300g per hr, and you set it up to pump water from a sump to the tank, the pump will need to pump the water up around 3' and it will lose some of its flow rate. most good pumps have a chart that tells you how much flow is lost, good luck with your tank and sump

Earthling84

I got my sump going. I didn't put the canister filter as part of it yet, just a regular pump for water atm.

check it out. www.youtube.com/earthling1984

P.S. - Please give my videos a good rating if you like them

Peterpiper

Have you done the flood test?
I noticed you dont have an air tube on the syphon for restart or to remove air.
How does this system restart after a power cut?

Earthling84

In order to start the syphon you stick a small air tube inside the syphon, get the syphon 'U' tube in place, then manually suck air out of the 'U' tube by sucking air out of the small air tube which you placed inside the 'U' tube.

In event of a power failure, the pumps will stop pumping, and tubes will drain, however, the syphon will stay in tact, it does not get lost in a power failure, water stays filled in the 'U' tube, both ends are always underwater, just when the intank section fills, it gets higher and the water moves to the out of tank section which flows down to sump tank.

Earthling84

btw, what is the flood test? I have turned off my power strip to make sure the sump can hold the extra water. if that is what you mean by flood test, then yes

Peterpiper

Thats the flood test... Turn the power off... wait.... turn it back on, and if you still have dry feet all is good!

Do you have a link for the overflow you have? ie type and who sells it on line

Earthling84

Eshopps PF-800

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=18358