DIY: How to Design a Sump Bin

Sump bins, or just "sumps," are external filtration devices used in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The sump is connected to the water system of the display aquarium but usually hidden from view. This allows you to add unsightly elements to the sump (such as heaters and filters) but keep the aquarium uncluttered and clean. When designing your sump, you'll be restricted mainly by the space you have available to you; however, the bigger you can make your sump bin, the more it'll improve your aquarium's stability and water quality.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the area in which you'll build the sump as accurately as possible. To keep the design simple, limit the measurements to a rectangle instead of measuring around support structures.

    • 2

      Draw a scaled version, from the top and from the side, of the area in which you'll build your sump. You'll need these two views to get a good idea how to place things in the sump.

    • 3

      Divide the sump into three chambers. Make the middle chamber slightly larger than the other two. The chamber on the left will be where the water enters the sump. The middle chamber is where you'll have your filtration devices, and the last chamber will house the return pump.

    • 4

      Add scaled drawings of the devices you'll add to the sump. Examples include protein skimmers and the return pump. It's best if you have an idea of exactly which ones you'll purchase so you'll be able to use their exact dimensions.

    • 5

      Based on the space you have left in the middle chamber, determine your filtration media. For saltwater aquariums, a deep sand bed and macroalgae (marine plants) are good choices. For freshwater aquariums, you can use live plants and "bioballs." For both types of aquariums, granular activated carbon is an excellent choice.

    • 6

      Add reactors to the drawing (if you're going to use them). Reactors are hollow tubes filled with chemical filtration materials such as phosphate sponge granules and granular activated carbon. Water is pumped up through the tube so that it has time to mix with the filter media. The filtered water then exits the top of the tube and reenters the sump.

    • 7

      Plan your plumbing into and out of the sump. Plumbing is usually made by PVC pipe but you can also use flexible vinyl hoses. Design for the maximum flow of water with the least resistance. Wider pipes are better than narrow ones. Also, you'll need to add ball-valves at key points so you can shut off the flow of water when needed. Add unions to the PVC pipes so that you can disassemble the pipes when needed.