DIY 20 Gallon Sump for 40 Breeder Frag Tank

In this video I'll show how I converted a standard 20 gallon long aquarium into a DIY sump for my 40 Breeder frag tank build.
Music:
Groove Grove Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons...

[@ReefSpy]

After water testing this, I think it would have been better to make the last baffle a little shorter than the previous ones. I may replace this with a 6 1/2" baffle in the future. This way will work, but if you are using this as a guide take that into consideration.

[@Hunter-vz6ve]

Thank you so much...rather THIS than hundreds of bucks for one...well at least til I can afford a tricked out one. Bo one is going to see it but me! Happy Thanksgiving in advance, too 👍

[@BlazedReefer]

Why would you lower the last baffle? Did this mean only the return section goes down in level from evaporation

[@Jeff.Slavich]

I think this is the most helpful DIY sump build that I've watched. Very clear and well explained description. Excellent!

[@ReefSpy]

Wow, thanks!

[@BlazedReefer]

5yrs on and this video is still helping a new reefer out, actually one of the better videos to date on making a sump .

[@ReefSpy]

Thank you

[@kellysreef4614]

Nice video ReefSpy. My favorite sump design. Simple, clean and effective. Looking forward to more of the build.

[@neilfrasersmith]

Good video.

[@Reefgrrl]

Great explanation of how a sump is designed to suit your purposes! That’s the exact design we used for the 20G nano (and holy crap that was two years ago now - I can hardly believe it!). Lots of great tips here. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@ReefSpy]

Time flies when we're having fun, right? lol Thanks Reefgrrl!

[@915Mang]

Awesome job and tips. ITs a lot easier to buy them cut, then to try and snap glass. I had a hard time, came out nice!

[@GwonkReefkeeping]

I'm planning to build a similar sump. This is a great tutorial video.

[@cku333]

Thank you for making a simple easy to follow video 👍

[@ScottM]

Very sweet spy and it came out really clean. Surprised it doesn't have a Pipes special baffle package..lol..Congrats on 3000, great job and well deserved.

[@ReefSpy]

haha, he did offer!

[@jeepcuz420]

@reefspy can you make the refugium smaller in order to increase the water volume in the return chamber?

[@diverdown507]

Nice sump lay out Reef Spy

[@dudepros]

Very nice and clean, i dig it!

[@ReefSpy]

Thanks!

[@eddyortiz8110]

Hey how ya doing I have to tell you I really enjoy your videos and learn how to create really cool stuff the right way!! Thanks can't wait for the next one 👍🐠🤗

[@ReefSpy]

Thank you Eddy. I am glad you like them. I don’t know about the right way, but its the way I do it. Lol.

[@airtripko]

I just finish my sump two weeks ago, i use my old 30g tank my friend glue it with silicone and the price for 4 partition glass was only 10$. I will cover that in my next vlog.

[@ReefSpy]

Nice!

[@l.miguelhernandezsanchez8592]

Great vídeo. Enjoyed the explanations. Keep them vídeos comino.

[@cmharper5049]

What kind of overflow and return pump are you using and what diameter of PVC would you need for them?

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

Well done !

[@texaquatics6260]

We did some tests back in the 80's at Jungle labs with micro bubble on gold fish and caused them to get pop eye. We only tested with goldfish so I can not say what it would do with other fish.

[@graphite2786]

Really enjoying this project, I really want to get into reefing in a bigger way and I'm sure I will use this series as reference. I find that the reefing community can be very elitist when it comes to amateurs and the dismissal I have received from experienced reefers is really off putting and makes me want to stick to FW. (Unfortunately I'm not the only one and professional reefers have to realise that a dissuasive attitude will diminish the hobby if newcomers aren't welcome: reduced demand means less supply, especially of imported livestock) I'm sure you have made a few mistakes on your marine journey and advice on what not to do is just as valuable as what TO do. Keep up the good videos 👍.

[@ReefSpy]

I know exactly what you mean. Trust me, I've made lots of mistakes and am still learning about this stuff every day. If you are interested in saltwater then go for it! There are lots of ways to do things, everybody's tank is different, and nobody knows everything. So just do research and ask lots of questions. There are plenty of people out here ready to help!

[@vietxnameze]

Thank you

[@spencerherrick9392]

How high is the first piece of glass next to your skimmer? Is that a Reef Octopus 150 Classic?

[@fitzfilmsgarage]

How do you make the text in a text in beginning of the video? Reef spy big text and small text reef spy 20 gallon sump

[@a1x48]

Would it not be cheaper to buy another tank for $20 and then cut it for the baffles

[@syclone0252]

excellent design, I will copy this, but I have a question, and i'm a newbie and about to start my 1st salt water tank, so I know nothing, but I see a lot of unused space at the top of the tank, (maybe 2-3 gallons) I understand your skimmer required a certain height water level, and I get that, but could you set the skimmer on a 3 inch pedestal so you have the skimmer the right depth in the water but still have more water in the other areas? I have no idea. just curious. I read more water is better (more area for the bad stuff to be spread out in). plus I would think you could go longer without having to top off.

[@ReefSpy]

You want extra space because when you turn off your pumps some water will flow back down into the sump. Extra space ensures water remains in the sump and not on your floor.

[@BillyPipes]

👍but the real question is...did you fill that tank for 48 hours before installing the baffles?

[@ReefSpy]

Billy Pipes nope. Living dangerously

[@BillyPipes]

ReefSpy lol...noob

[@Leigh33]

good shout hahaha

[@Reefgrrl]

Why does that need to be done? Just curious....I know very little about this process. 😬

[@BillyPipes]

Reefgrrl lol. I always fill a tank with water to test for leaks.

[@mogtrader8]

How do you figure out the height of skimmer? Based on the skimmer's brand and suggested water level? I know that the skimmer manufacturing are hardly accurate.

[@ReefSpy]

I used the manufacturers recommendation in the user manual.

[@mogtrader8]

Sorry if asked before, where and how are you able to get those glass partitions and what type of silicone did you use? How is this holding up? Thanks.

[@ReefSpy]

Just use aquarium grade silicone. I got mine on Amazon. I got the glass baffles made at a local glass shop. I gave them the dimensions and they cut it for me.

[@hulksmash6622]

what kinda pump is that ???

[@doorstoppers9287]

Incase of a power outage how do I prevent water from over flowing?

[@ReefSpy]

Just make sure you have enough extra space in the sump to hold it.

[@happy-xv8gn]

what brand is the tank?

[@EDKsurly]

Nice. I guess thatfirst battle is the correct height for the skimmer?

[@ReefSpy]

The manual said between 7-9” so i went with 8”

[@kkrishna9791]

Nice sump design. Whats black frame on top all around the sump made of and called

[@ReefSpy]

I’m not sure. I bought this aquarium at the store and it was already attached.

[@kkrishna9791]

ReefSpy ok thank you

[@khoinpham]

All you want is prevent bubble from back to the tank !!!!!

[@twinreefs7025]

Good video man would this sump suit my 65 gallon marine tank?

[@ReefSpy]

Probably, but if you have the room to go bigger, I’d do it. You will never regret having a bigger sump, but you will always regret having a sump not big enough.

[@artursm15]

Simple and nice setup .. the funniest part tank cost 20$ baffles 32 ;D

[@ReefSpy]

i know. lol. probably could have got them cheaper if I kept looking around but I just went with it.

[@joram2522]

What type of skimmer are you using ?

[@ReefSpy]

Vertex Omega 130

[@mikehowell9053]

How is this sump doing?

[@ReefSpy]

Doing good

[@rohankrishna95]

I paid $10 for the tank on Craigslist and cut my own glass (found some around the house). total construction cost $25

[@80gl_3]

How did you connect your drains to the sump?

[@ReefSpy]

I have a piece of flexible PVC hose that runs from the overflow down to the sump

[@80gl_3]

@@ReefSpy just dangles in or did you use something to connect it to the sump physically?

[@ReefSpy]

It dangles in. Although the flexible PVC is flexible, it is also quite rigid. Its not moving anywhere so didnt feel need to connect it physically

[@michaelb.7505]

i tried getting glass baffles and they tried charging me $35 for one! I needed 4 pieces. I was annoyed.

[@ReefSpy]

That sounds like a lot. I think I paid about $8 each. Try another glass shop.

[@JamesLee-nx1tm]

What is that skimmer?

[@ReefSpy]

Vertex Omega 130