Would this "temporary" sump work?

[benemreef]

Hello Everyone,

 

after reading a couple of the DIY topics for home built sumps, I decided it was time for a little testing in my home too

Have a aqua-medic blenny (80l with back compartments, ~55l display side), which is an AIO system. But would like to try out a sump instead of it's built in thing as a "preparation" for near-future ~5-600L system.

And since I am thinking temporary, I am planning on an ikea plastic bin (or rubbermaid type) which would also be around 50-60liter.

The overflow would be some diy pvc tubing (as seen on youtube ) .

First and initial question is, would this basic setup work for this?

 

lastic bin, using acrylic plates siliconed as separators?

 

the scaling/size is not real, just wanted to draw a quick thoguht about how I think about it...

further questions are which is better: water in -> mecha filter ->skimmer -> bio filter -> out , or in ->mecha ->bio ->skim ->out ?

where should I put the heater?

can macro algae and live rock kept together (with some grow-lights) as a refugium?

 

measurements and sizes are not yet done for the design )

 

thanks in advance for all advice/remarks/comments

benem

 

[Christopher Marks]

Welcome to the community benemreef!

 

The first thing that comes to my mind is how much the Rubbermaid bins tend to bow outwards once they're filled with water, this could make placing acrylic dividers very difficult. IKEA may have something built with plastic that is more rigid, you'll want a bin with a very sturdy rim, and ideally not too deep to minimize the water pressure against the walls. It might be worthing buying two or three potential options and water testing them all back home to find the best.

[benemreef]

thank you for the warm welcome and the remark

indeed they tend to bow.already have a bin which is much more rigid, but it is very similar, so I thought everyone knows RM and IKEA bins, it's easier to image..

already tested couple of times with this rigid bin and luckily it doesn't bend,so ticked that off!

[Enchelycore808]

Honestly I would just use a 10-15g tank. I would imagine there being a lot of issues with getting the baffles sealing well. The silicone doesn't bond well to acrylic or the material the bins are made of. I can just peel the silicone off the Rubbermaid bins in one piece. Just something to consider.

[ajmckay]

Hi there -

 

So I tend to agree with what's been said that a plastic bin probably won't be the best solution for adding baffles due to flexibility of the plastic as well as the lack of strong adhesion using typical silicone sealant.

 

A glass tank would work much better and can be purchased for only a few $ more than a cheap plastic bin in sizes that you would want. Not sure where you live but I can get a 10 gallon aquarium for $10 at wal-mart and a sheet of acrylic at home depot for another $10. You could probably get a used tank for free even.

 

As for the order of things I think how you lay it out in your drawing would work fine. I'm personally not a huge fan of combining live rock with the chaeto algae because it tends to collect detritus.