Sump for a nano 12g

[Imbarrie]

I want to add a sump to my 12G Aquapod.
Right now I have soft corals and a couple clowns and invertebrates.

I dont like to disturb the tank for water changes and I really want to install a skimmer and have some reserve water capacity.
I also want to experiment with sumps before I move into a larger tank.
I was thinking of a 10-15 gallon AGA and building partitions for a sump.

What I was thinking;

Drill a bulkhead fitting for draining down to a tank underneath
Remove the back panel and the internal walls of the pod filter to free up more space for LR
Fabricate a surface skimmer from the internal walls
In the sump have a skimmer and maybe a DSB
Two return lines from the sump pump back to the tank slightly smaller than the drain


Wondering;

What diameter drain and return lines?
What size return pump?

I have a MAG5 laying around and, even with a T going back to the sump, that is probably overkill.


Seems too much for a nano, but I like to tweak systems. I have a workshop with all the tools I need so logistics is not the issue.

Any advice?

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Too much work for a 12g Nano.I wouldn't do it but sounds like fun.It's not really necessary IMO.

 

[Imbarrie]

I agree that it sounds ambitious for a nano but I would add this to the next system I go with.

 

[autoponicz]

theres still alot to think about....

1" bulkhead for the drain will cover up to 600gph so i will go with that...
the mag5 can be used since you want to split the return into 2...depending on if you use vinyl tubing or pvc,then there will be head pressure which will drop the gph coming from the pump....and which kind of return nozzles...and the taller the stand...the lower the gph will be when it reaches the top of the tank...

what kind of stand do you have...the stock most likely will not fit a 10g aga tank..you gonna have to go smaller or a custom made sump.

the surface skimmer wont be hard to make..
you will also need to have a rubbermaid bin ready for all your livestock..so you can tear apart the tank...drill and set everything back up and do the plumbing/run to system to make sure everything is in order...and nothings leaking..

nyreefnoob removed the false wall on a nano before...see what hes got to say..

 

[Imbarrie]

Thanks.

I have a borrowed overflow and I would start to use the sump so I can house everything in rubbermaid and still maintain conditions during the tank conversion.

A 1" drain was what I had in mind and I would like to use PVC.

Question; Would this drop the GPH on the returns because of plumbing elbows? Where vinyl would be a smoother arc and maintain more flow?

Im going to make a stand from a simple frame and ply covering. Maybe fabricate some maple doors, not sure. The original stand is not really what I would like to see there so no loss. It is functional but not fitting the tank overall.

When I upgrade I still want to use this tank and a common filtration will enhance that. I may turn this into a specie or a macro tank. Not sure.