I hope I've posted this topic in the appropriate place? Anyway, I'm considering building a very small sump for my new 20 gallon tank and was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction? I would prefer that the sump be equal to or less than 10 gallons. I'm interested in a sump as a water top off while I'm away from one as-well-as a way to take my skimmer off my tank.

Easiest way would probably be just a standard 10G tank if one will fit in your stand. Then you can either drill holes in the display tank for an overflow to the sump and returns from a return pump, or there are various kinds of overflow boxes if you can't or don't want to drill. There's a ton of examples of different ways to do it if you poke around the forums a bit. Also good sump reading at melevsreef here with lots of diagrams etc.

should be fine with a small 10 gallon sump if it fits in your stand. i would suggest drilling your tank and putting an overflow in. glass holes makes a great overflow kit that you can mount inside your tank

http://www.glass-holes.com/product.sc?prod...mp;categoryId=3

I'm running a 10Gal sump on my 20H, to me it's perfect.

In the most heterosexual way possible: I love you guys Seriously though, these links look awesome and I will take a look at them now. I'm definitely against drilling holes in my tank though.... Also, would 10 gallons be the minimum size that I would need to use? I'm may be able to fit one that large into my stand, but I'm not sure and fear that I would need something smaller.

i just added a 10g sump/refugium to my 40 breeder.

pictures are on page 23 of my thread (link in sig)

for everything & i mean everything i spent maybe $95

but thats including the overflow, all tubing, the sump, the pump, return tubing.


while drilling is the best way to do it. i have no complaints with my hob overflow. i had to modify it slightly to silence the gurgling, but that was just a 4" length of 1" flex tubing inserted into the bulkhead.