How To: Build an Aquarium / Fish Tank and Aquarium Sump

[@amherrero1]

Excellent job, I was searching for a good example of sump/refugium for my 75 gallons tank , and your concept was without a doubt one of the best I've seen so far. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your technique and design with everyone. Great job , I will copy your model

[@nickpastore807]

when you're cutting glass, never go over the same cut twice, it increases the chance of making a sloppy cut.

[@smnkm4ehfer]

yep also wears out the glass cutters wheel quickly

[@Trapperboy190]

And I couldn't tell but please, for the love of GOD wear safety glasses, all you need is a glass sliver in your eye

[@Waverwreck]

Hey Aaron I see u are struggling with applying the silicone bead as the tip is round and it is running allover the place. The solution is extra simple. Take a cutter and cut a bit off the nozzle at a 45º angle. This will allow u more control over the side-ways sliding and over the thickness of the bead .

[@jamiem5364]

I just watched the video and was going to write the exact same thing!

[@edwardjonathan689]

i know Im randomly asking but does anybody know of a way to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow forgot the login password. I love any help you can give me

[@josephlewis347]

@Edward Jonathan instablaster :)

[@rame2914]

the sump was aweful built, as we can easily see. i wanted to laugh. shows just how simple it is, (thank you) which is really the point but, final product was rock solid, and configuration..."brother your the schizzy"... i've watched ten videos on doing this and this one by far has me wanting to get "sticky fingers"... what you lack in construction knowledge you completely own with that final configuration, a 10 sir...

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

+Ra Me Thanks pal

[@edwardsdeacon]

Greetings from Texas, This is a great video. Very informative and not the least bit boring. I like the way you positioned everything. I definitely have gotten some ideas from this video. Thank you. Good luck with aqua!

[@turbocpt1]

Good build bud, not to worry about the silicone "not so steady hand"when it gets to sump builds. As a tip, if you do a tank build. make a little bracket that fits around the gun's nozzle with a strong nail that runs parallel to the nozzle. This way you can run the nail on the side of the glass and use the glass as a ruler. You'll have perfectly straight lines of silicon.

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

+Jesus Great tip. Thanks for sharing

[@SteelCityEndurance]

I have the f5 cannister as well and want to add a sump to my 72 gallon bowfront reef tank so I can improve water quality and make maintenance easier. Thanks for the video

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

No worries. hope it works out for you.

[@youngsumma]

For anyone thinking about doing this: 1. PLEASE wear rubber coated gloves or some other sort of hand protection, and safety glasses when working with glass!!! 2. DO NOT make reverse passes on your score when cutting glass. One single pass with even pressure will be sufficient! 3. Sand the edges of your cut glass after you cut it. Cut glass edges are EXTREMELY sharp!! Failing to do so may result in you bleeding all over your project!!

[@richardivory1965]

tip for you never go over the same cut twice while cutting glass also use thinners or turps before you cut the glass brush it on with a small paint brush it will keep the cut open longer good video btw

[@brianshleifer6602]

Excellent video!

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

👍🏽

[@RohitTulsiyan]

excellent design. The only suggestion I would have to replace filter socks with stackable mechanical filter sponges with provision of overflow. This would a) Reduce cost, b) Make cleaning easier, and c) Allow us to observe if filters are choked and needs cleaning.

[@sologamer8518]

Awesome vid man answered almost all my questions.

[@disco75hartley]

Cheers Michael, very informative video, I enjoyed watching that mate ;)

[@henryc2570]

Dam a lot of people complaining? It's a good video and the sump clearly works, if you think you can make a better sump please by all means make a KZbin video of how you would do it... Great video man 👍🏼

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

👍

[@MELODYMUNRO]

+henry c yep, I agree...if it holds water and does what he wants it to then where's the problem?...there actually isn't as many videos on youtube about tank and sump building as I thought there would be...maybe all the "experts" are scared?..LOL

[@hustlecoralvlogs7675]

Will do !

[@arora_for_life]

henry c i completely agree with you. instead of encouragement everyone is pointing out imperfections.

[@3334alfieslater]

Great build

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Thank you Steve.

[@reehee5475]

What a great video!! your water quality must be great for the aquarium. I would love to see a video of the fish you are keeping.

[@guppycolours1199]

Nice and compact !Like your take Will make one soon

[@ROTTERtube]

that sump is awesome!

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

+Rotter Tube Reef Thanks buddy.

[@jasonthomas4928]

really enjoyed that video thanks for sharing

[@fionamikefabiyanic162]

Love your idea

[@brandonmeade8999]

arron if u tape a match stick to the side of the nozzle just sticking past the nozzle it will give u a perfect strath line of silicone

[@williamseuffert4012]

Great job well done

[@martinalderson9142]

Well done

[@YevZakharov]

I figured I wasn't the only one who noticed the incorrect glass scoring technic. But I'm sure you've improved...

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

yes I've heard I didn't do it correctly but the out come was the same.

[@shawncraib]

Once again another great video and I have to say the production on this video was really good. Nice work looking forward to seeing the tank completed. 👍😊

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Nice one pal. The Big Reef Update is on its way. Keep your eyes on the channel.

[@cyber-db-6]

Nice sump design mate!

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Thank you pal.

[@bonsiatreesseedsandplantsf4812]

Good job am gunna try make a sump soon as u made it look so way just subscribed thanks for showing

[@andrewandrzejewski3656]

Extremely helpful!

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

👍

[@LSTWTF]

Dude, I used to cut glass for a living, you only need to score the glass once, and adding a bit of oil to the cutter will help the cut. ;-), Great vid BTW.

[@LSTWTF]

*Glass cutting oil

[@ivoryqueen7000]

Thanks for sharing this video very good information.

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Hope it helps you out. Thanks for watching.

[@irfancooking298]

love this!

[@MASSAquariums]

Great video. Very informative and well edited

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Thanks Bro.

[@MELODYMUNRO]

If your beautiful assistant had not been available you could have used the wall behind you to prop up the glass...I get to make my own tank soon ...had my 5 foot 75 gallon crack on the bottom pane at 3am the other morning...it sounded like a rifle going off.....only resealed it two weeks ago and was water testing it...I don't think there was anything wrong with the tank..I think the surface the tank was on may have been slightly bowed... . luckily I was still awake as was doing university study...spent the next 2 hours mopping up water.....now need to learn how to cut glass...might make a sump....or a cube....or two....so thanks for the video...subscribed.

[@gtpowergeorgetennent3786]

Without sounding stupid how do you make sure the water does not flood out of the sump tank before being sucked up back in to the Aquarium tank? I've never done a reef tank i will be setting my first one up soon 👍

[@915Mang]

Nice work with the sump. I like how you used that clamp to make a straight line when you where scoring the glass. I always have a hard time with that, thanks for the tips

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

915Mang Yeah i tried all sorts as a straight edge in the past but using this happened by accident to be honest because i dropped the clamp in the glass when i was moving the clamp. Thanks for watching pal. Big reef update on its way mate Soft corals, LPS and SPS in my tank now.

[@andysreef]

cracking sump design. i will be using this as soon as i begin my own diy build. with the filter socks though..... could you just lay floss on there as socks are a fortune.

[@Andrious777]

I have lots of questions ...like how thick was the glass and what type???? I want to build a custom tank....but I plan on making it freash water about 40-60 gal would I still need a sump with that?

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

The type and thickness of the glass required will depend on the size of the tank you want to build. A Sump is an optional method of filtration you could use canister filters instead if you wanted.

[@matthewwagner4042]

How much of a gap do you leave between the baffles and the walls for the silicone? Should the glass be about a 1/8th of a inch short for about 1/16th for each edge? I'm going to have custom glass cut for the baffles and I need to know the exact size I want them cut to.

[@UNCGS]

When cutting glass, only score the glass one time. Never score it multiple times. It dulls the tool and it can cause the cut to run out. Make sure the wheel is oiled, and one pass is all you need.

[@henrysharkey6668]

Thanks for the tips bru

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

👍

[@Frostytravels]

getting a small angle brace with suction cups helps....Or and assistant who can help without texting...hahahaha

[@deathdealer6058]

Superb vedio Sir

[@mrbrucewayne631]

hey thanks for the video. I do wonder though about how secure the tanks are if using only silicone between the edges?

[@MELODYMUNRO]

+Bruce Wayne Once the silicone has cured it pretty much fuses to the glass...my biggest tank holds 180 gallons of water and I resealed it myself with nothing but silicone...when you have to pull one apart that's when you realise just how strong and tenacious silicone is....it is a bastard to remove.

[@florianschiemann4621]

great Filter

[@jackthepuppet5578]

how safe is it making your own tank? i get kinda nervous and afraid it might fall apart?

[@darthjavo7438]

I thought that u r gonna use a stool...to hold....but your wife...oh, man....funny

[@EddieSpaghettiYouTube]

Do people still use charcoal as material for filtering. Also I want to change my sump so i can leave baby fish in there. will it be ok to make the pump section bigger and use that for the baby fish?

[@florathedancingqueenflower3090]

How do you make water come inside this sump from aquarium and go again to from sump to aquarium?

[@roxyqueen5076]

Also is there a such thing as reefs for fresh water?

[@tylerpickard1451]

Can you put pieces of coral in with the Algai

[@khalidwahab1982]

What kind of Heaters are you using?

[@cyrilsroberts]

Hello: have you heard of uPVC Foam Board? If so can this material be used to make fish tanks (may be waterproof but is it safe for fish/food)? And what silicone/glue/cement would you recommend for use here that is again food safe? Thanks.

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Hi Cyril, I can honestly say ive not heard of it. unless it goes by a different name here. Very sorry I can't answer your question.

[@cyrilsroberts]

+Aarons Aquarium Ok. Here's a link with some info..... www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2196651 Was just wondering if you an opinion or experience with this material and how did the fish tanks hold up over time. Thanks for your prompt response. Much appreciated.

[@RedDelPaPa]

no, DO worry. get down on your damn hands and knees and lay down a smooth and straight bead! Good hell!

[@rickfromthecape3135]

Never drink and silicone!

[@twinturbo111]

what was the name/brand of those super porous rocky small things again ? (in your sump)

[@Matt-tj8mg]

where did you get the glass

[@MauriceMccomie]

Pretty good Michael. I've seen some builds before but this one is the best I've seen in a while. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "You're the handiest man I know on KZbin" lol. Great build, love the concept.

[@pawelszopa22]

BUDOWA AKWARIUM

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Thanks Mo.

[@rtorres3442]

hey bro, just saw your video. I'm planning to build a sump with a 29 gallon long tank for my 90 gallon reef. I just want to do a filter sock on one end, skimmer & phosphate reactor in middle, then a bubble baffle before the return. any suggestions?

[@ourmodernhome593]

I really need some help. I am a beginner in fish keeping, had my fresh water tank now for around 2 months. I have a 10L acrylic tank and a 25L glass tank. I have them both on separate bedside tables that are ply wood and they are both starting to give way. I want to keep my tanks and fish but I don't know what to do about the stand? I could never make one myself and im stuck!!

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

maddieac If you cant build one why dont you just buy one?

[@TheSUMKINDAGUY]

maddieac Nail or better yet screw in a couple of treated wood one by two cross braces. Drill pilot holes first then install them like this "X" on all four sides. If you bring the inside table/cabinet measurements to your local Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards they will cut them to size. Good Luck

[@roxyqueen5076]

Hi Mr.Aaron..since you reply fast..I have a question..I just acquired a 55 gallon aquarium and it will be freshwater fish..So I want to have a system thats not that high maintenance..What do you recommend?

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

+RoxyQueen Tank, heater ( if tropical fish), Canister filter and a Light. That's it! Nice and simple. Then just do a water change each week and you are all good.

[@phitran2491]

Hey , I'm trying to build my sump 20g how tall should I make my water line?

[@MM-tt3np]

apperently, less is not more ;)

[@ford42_]

Is a sump system safe for axolotls? I'm pretty sure they are not, because axolotls are very sensitive to water flow in their tank, but I just wanted to make sure. You are the expert after all.

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

You can customise a sump to your requirements. If they are sensitive to a lot of flow then you can dial it down to a level they are comfortable with.

[@ford42_]

thank you this helped me a lot! :D

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

+smitten kitten LIX No worries.

[@ejbelarmino2130]

how thick is the glass you used?

[@garydsouza2335]

YO all it don't leek, Its not seen..its wicked, she helped him.. i learnt something..

[@devingibson4]

I see the pump to pump the water back into the tank but what do I use to pump the water out of the tank and where does that pump go

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

gravity pumps the water out of the tank.

[@devingibson4]

So I have to drill the tank?

[@devingibson4]

Or is it like a syphon ...just get it started and then it flows naturally?

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

+devingibson4 Not necessarily. you can buy an overflow box if your tank isn't drilled. There are also DIY overflow videos available on KZbin, You could build your own.

[@devingibson4]

Thanks

[@jurgenboesgmail2391]

just one question, it seems to me it does'nt matter to you what the dimensions between the glass are? correct me if im wrong

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Yes the distance does matter as if the chambers are the wrong size your equipment my not fit. The video is a guide to show you how to put it together. Because a sump is very customisable I didn't bother with measurements as mine may be different to the one you want to create.

[@jenniferahough4983]

Do you have a video on how to do the plumbing?

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Not yet but there is one on the way. keep an eye on the channel.

[@roxyqueen5076]

How come you do not use the corner clamps for the project?

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

+RoxyQueen I don't have any.

[@cutiepie-ik1mv]

whear did you get the shoe laces? and how much?

[@aaronr336]

how do you prevent the sump from over flowing during a power outage?

[@HaloToday]

+Legendary Aaron R Just make sure your sump has enough extra room in it to handle all the extra water that will travel down when the pumps are off. So if you have a 200 gallon tank you will not want to use a 20 gallon sump. Now how much water drains down in your sump will depend on a number of factors such as having a check valve to your output lines and how you are draining the water down on your returns.

[@glassunlimited5534]

im guesing by having a shut off valve inline from your tank

[@PandiTheBear]

@@glassunlimited5534 without a pump there is no water flow going down to the sump, only water already inside the line.

[@vishnu364]

may i know the cost of the entire bulid and the setup???

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Ever wanted to know how to build an Aquarium? Have you ever wanted to know how to build an Aquarium Sump? Well this is the video for you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z37Tp35qhalgbLc #reeftank #reef #Aquarium #fishtank #DIY #Tropicalfish #goldfish 

[@AbbasAli-uz3sf]

Aarons Aquarium

[@ginofoogle6944]

using clamps would seriously make life alot easier...

[@anthonygan3789]

if u reverse the glass cutter you see a ball at the end....what u do is tap the line all the way down with it and it almost breaks apart by your self.....i got plenty of glass in my lifetime and never had to use that much force.

[@alsayed1234]

What is the size of this tank?

[@mingbutisherpa1700]

how to shape the glass

[@roxyqueen5076]

I just watched you do the sump..and I think I could build that pretty easily but is there not an easier way to keep my new fish healthy and safe?

[@karlburton4181]

use spacer on those inserts

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

I used bathroom paint on the inside of the cabinet as it is water resistant.

[@ernesthamm1813]

2:00 -you got your wife holdin' it while you mount the side piece... pimpin ain't easy!! PS. sorry for the bad joke lol. couldn't help it.

[@boothy5473]

Who cut the 2 big holes in the glass for the filter socks

[@sandorbuga684]

how do not do it :-)

[@henryc2570]

Arabic?

[@StuartAylward]

This guy seriously need to practice his caulking gun skills. I wouldn't out water in that.

[@alfredvara1385]

This is exactly how not to build an aquarium just buy one 😳

[@josephrabanales7825]

sump? whats that

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

It's a form of filtration for your display tank.

[@Banthonyb71]

Wireless Rooter? What's a Wireless Rooter?

[@terrybell912]

What the Yanks call a rowter. We say root you say rowt.

[@ZoeBellCake]

Haha, Lara Croft is so helpful ^_^

[@aquamoment]

step one: Drinking water is NOT good for FISH..... ahm...

[@hugebastard1046]

tak takhle tedy ne :-D

[@alfredvara1385]

All edges should be cleaned with alcohol

[@IMOLDIN]

How do you stop it flooding house as just running into sump how does that bit work? If electric stops...This comment is for dummy sump builders...Obviously return pump pulls it back up but what if that fails or theres a blockage dropping into the sump...

[@karlburton4181]

Claire Bear it can't flood if the pump stop worki g it like an overflow on your bath only as much water come back down to the sump as is pumped in only time it will flood if over flow gets blocked up

[@teddysmith2290]

Did he just call that lady a sidepiece?

[@typhoonbambooty2771]

i spotted a xbox 360 tomb raider game case

[@OneNonlyKelz]

glass cutter Is not meant to be use that way lol! score one time!!!! lol that diamond tip is fucked up lol

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

yes I know but the cutter wasn't very good so I just had to manage as best as I could

[@emp2004]

aprende a cortar cristal chico

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

Man learns sarcasm

[@labradormcgraw]

322 dislikes! What is wrong with people?

[@sonicsun1]

zwei linke hände o.O

[@FOTOVIDEOZILKA]

Nanášanie lepidla je jedna veľká katastrofa...

[@ЕвгенийН-т3б]

Мужик, вокруг дна надо клеить... ) А не на дно.

[@StuartAylward]

Omg so much wrong with techniques used here... 😳

[@michaelgilroy8041]

christ almighty this is poor

[@MyMidlifeCrisis2024]

thank you

[@claytonmorris5027]

+Michael Gilroy you nailed it brother