Cheap sumps

[Psideways]

I am a college student, and as being such money is tight. So my new project is setting up a 15gal reef wall tank. I want to include a sump for added water stability and to hide all the equipment. So how can I build a sump with over flow, bio balls, and return pump for as cheap as possible.

 

[JamisonRD]

When I was planning on including a sump into my design, I was going to use a rubbermaid container (as that it was cheap and durable). But if you really want to save money, take a look into your classifides section in the local newspaper, and check around other places for used equipment. Fellow reefkeepers (and their friends) are often upgrading and getting rid of their 'unwanted' stuff. As long as it is in good shape, you can save yourself a fortune!

Good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

A rubbermiad works well, but is difficult to particion. A plain 10 gallon tank from a pet store should run you $10 or less. You can get glass baffles cut for next to nothing and a tube of 100% silicone is about $3.

 

[zombiereef]

do the 10gallon tank sump. i have one on my 20L and it works awesome. i made mine into a refugium, but same idea. it was very easy to cut some acrylic (from home depot) to fit, silicone it in and waa laa! very cheap and compact sump. i have my skimmer hang on it, my heater, auto top off system, some LS, LR and cheatomorpha, 18w actinic/10k light and return pump in it. it gave my system an extra 6.4 gallons. you need to make sure that you have room in it to take on extra water if the power fails and the pump stops. that is why i have a sump/fuge that normally handles 6.4 gallons. the rest is overflow protection.