DIY sump filter

[techjoe]

I think I maybe addicted to the projects as much as the fish now.  I am on day two of building my 10gallon sump filter.  I plan to use bio ball's, ceramic cylinders and sponges with a series of water directional baffles.  Here's a few shots of progress.  So far I have spent $58.65 and I should have all I need but the sponges 

[four_by_ken]

Do you have a drilled tank, or using an overflow box?

[techjoe]

None of the above.  I found this over the tank drain plan.  It go's to the bottom of the tank and back up to ware you want the water line to be.  So it is also skimming off the top.  It has a vent tube slightly higher up on the back  side of the tank.  The hole thing works as a siphon but since it pulls from the top if the power go's off everything stops flowing when the water is below the drain.  I am also putting an inline UV filter into the return line I am powering with the 500gph powerhead I already have.  My concern's are Will the powerhead be big enough or too big.  I will add a ball value to adjust flow some   and will the 3/4" PVC keep up with the drain or will I have to use two drains.

[techjoe]

This is ware I got the overflow plans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65yVr7DiDls

[Ron]

Cool project. What kind of sponges are you going with?

[techjoe]

I found some filter sponge pads at the LFS that I can side between the baffles  snugly.

[techjoe]

Wishing I would have tried it out before i painted it.  Waiting for paint to dry is killing me.  Seven days until fully cured.

[techjoe]

Ok I have had this system up and running for a wile now and it's working good.  Only thing I would have done different is make the pump camber larger.  I have one problem.  The old sponge and powerhead system I had did a better job of collecting the waste at the bottom of the tank.  More then I really knew until now.  Now when I do my weekly water change I spend a lot more time skimming the top of the sand.  Any ideas on how to collect the sinking wast short of putting the sponge back in the tank?  I like the looks of the new system better and the biological filter is better   just need something to do some mechanical filtering that won't take up much tank space.  I am thinking canister filter could work but cost a lot.

[four_by_ken]

Sounds like you need a little more flow at the sand level?

Maybe a single powerhead or something similar?  (just to push water)

[techjoe]

After using this system for a wile I found it to be too restictive so I took it apart and builk it as I did for my larger one. 

[four_by_ken]

How are things going with your set up?

[techjoe]

These filters have been working great since I got the design figured out.  I had time today to do the first full breakdown and cleaning.   I did one partial cleaning before just spraying them out and drawing off the dirty water.   And from time to time I have replaced the primary filter pads.   If the one in the smaller tank gets plugged up it goes into a bypass mode.  I took more photos of both the 10 gallon and the 30 gallon.   The 10 gallon evaporation rate is about one to 1 and 1/2 weeks before the water level gets down to the pump letting me know I have slacked off too long on my weekly water changes.   The 30 gallon would go much longer.   I have let each go for two weeks before water changes and tested the water and everything is spot on so I take comfort in having a bit of a cushion with the weekly water changes because sometimes life seems to get in the way.  Not too often do I miss a week due to the guilt I feel if I do.  Just like playing hooky at work,  just can't seem to be able to do it.

[techjoe]

These filters have been working great since I got the design figured out.  I had time today to do the first full breakdown and cleaning.   I did one partial cleaning before just spraying them out and drawing off the dirty water.   And from time to time I have replaced the primary filter pads.   If the one in the smaller tank gets plugged up it goes into a bypass mode.  I took more photos of both the 10 gallon and the 30 gallon.   The 10 gallon evaporation rate is about one to 1 and 1/2 weeks before the water level gets down to the pump letting me know I have slacked off too long on my weekly water changes.   The 30 gallon would go much longer.   I have let each go for two weeks before water changes and tested the water and everything is spot on so I take comfort in having a bit of a cushion with the weekly water changes because sometimes life seems to get in the way.  Not too often do I miss a week due to the guilt I feel if I do.  Just like playing hooky at work,  just can't seem to be able to do it.

[techjoe]

More picks of the 10 gallon.

[techjoe]

Few shots of the plumbing