Overhead Sump

VIVVIV · 05/25/2018, 03:19 PM

Is it possible to have a sump above the main tank? Could I just have an overflow in the sump to feed the tank, and a water pump in the main tank?

Thanks

Fourstars · 05/25/2018, 03:41 PM

I've seen it done. Usually its is so they can dump the tank into the main for surge action.

gilweb · 05/25/2018, 04:13 PM

You would have to make sure that if you lost power the main tank can handle any extra water drained from the sump. I imagine it will not be much unless you are planning a monster sump.

ajoe · 05/25/2018, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilweb

You would have to make sure that if you lost power the main tank can handle any extra water drained from the sump. I imagine it will not be much unless you are planning a monster sump.

Great point. This could be a disaster in the making if not accounted for.

Reef noob_ · 05/25/2018, 04:27 PM

Look online for “king of diy overhead filter” or something similar. He has a few videos on filtration tanks that are mounted above the DT.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lsufan · 05/25/2018, 10:17 PM

Even if u want a bigger sump above the DT I would try & fit a smaller second sump below the dt. It only has to be big enough for the return pump, ato & any water that would drain down when u turn the return off. Usually I want a long, shorter tank for the sump, but in your case a taller tank like a 20 H would work better. U can run it just deep enough for your return pump & have quite a bit of room for the extra water when the return pump turns off. If u run it at 7” deep that would be around 8 gallons, so it would leave u around 11 gallons of room. It would also make it to where u can run the dt at a normal water level. If not u would have to run the dt a little low to be able to handle the water from the sump when u turn the pump off.

I’m just using that as a example. Without knowing the sizes of your tanks we don’t know how much room u need. Otherwise your return pump & ATO would have to be in the DT.

If u decide to use only one sump then I would consider a external return pump. It still isn’t ideal but u wouldn’t have a return pump in your dt. If u have small tanks then u could figure out a way to somewhat hide a small pump in the dt.

mcgyvr · 05/26/2018, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIVVIV

Is it possible to have a sump above the main tank? Could I just have an overflow in the sump to feed the tank, and a water pump in the main tank?

Thanks

Absolutely...I did that exact same thing on my last tank.. I had a small macro/sump tank above the display..
The overhead tank had the overflow and the display tank had a small return pump tucked up near the top corner to be out of sight..

It worked just fine and I just made sure to set up my anti-siphon holes in the return in the sump so that very little water drained down into the display tank when power was out..

05/25/2018, 03:19 PM	#1
VIVVIV Registered Member. Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 37	Overhead Sump Is it possible to have a sump above the main tank? Could I just have an overflow in the sump to feed the tank, and a water pump in the main tank? Thanks

05/25/2018, 04:27 PM	#5
Reef noob_ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: holmdel, NJ Posts: 555	Overhead Sump Look online for “king of diy overhead filter” or something similar. He has a few videos on filtration tanks that are mounted above the DT. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ ________________________ New Build in progress http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2528685 90 gallon DT, 65 Gallon Fuge, Chinese LEDs, LPS and Soft coral reef

05/25/2018, 10:17 PM	#6
Lsufan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 1,410	Even if u want a bigger sump above the DT I would try & fit a smaller second sump below the dt. It only has to be big enough for the return pump, ato & any water that would drain down when u turn the return off. Usually I want a long, shorter tank for the sump, but in your case a taller tank like a 20 H would work better. U can run it just deep enough for your return pump & have quite a bit of room for the extra water when the return pump turns off. If u run it at 7” deep that would be around 8 gallons, so it would leave u around 11 gallons of room. It would also make it to where u can run the dt at a normal water level. If not u would have to run the dt a little low to be able to handle the water from the sump when u turn the pump off. I’m just using that as a example. Without knowing the sizes of your tanks we don’t know how much room u need. Otherwise your return pump & ATO would have to be in the DT. If u decide to use only one sump then I would consider a external return pump. It still isn’t ideal but u wouldn’t have a return pump in your dt. If u have small tanks then u could figure out a way to somewhat hide a small pump in the dt. Last edited by Lsufan; 05/26/2018 at 07:46 PM.

05/25/2018, 03:41 PM	#2
Fourstars Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Third rock Posts: 291	I've seen it done. Usually its is so they can dump the tank into the main for surge action.

05/25/2018, 04:13 PM	#3
gilweb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Long Island Posts: 334	You would have to make sure that if you lost power the main tank can handle any extra water drained from the sump. I imagine it will not be much unless you are planning a monster sump.