Since your RUclips just popped up on my cell phone screen it reminded me to thank you. The last time videos popped up I was reaching for my phone to look up why my flighty was hanging at the top of the water. Your recommendation to put a air stone in saved her life. I'm so glad that you were there to save the day and that my platy is still alive. Luckily I happen to have an AirStone at that moment.!!! 🐠🐟
I always recommend to people with tanks at 125g or higher to use a sump. It simplifies your life and makes maintenance much easier than canisters. It doesn't have to be expensive. You could buy a 40g breeder tank and buy a cheap baffle kit and just glue it in. ALWAYS use a check valve on your return line.
Good stuff Ben. Ive got a 75g diy sump under my 300g diy plywood aquarium. Sumps are, by far the safest and most effective filtration. Granted the user understands, proper setup.
I have had a number of sump related floods as I ran through the learning curve on design, installation and maintenance and a return pump that burned out due to water flow running low to the sump. Nothing I could not recover from, but it helps having your aquariums on a slab, in the basement or in the garage. Always have water sensors/alarms strategically located.
@@GSP-76 The correct size sump to accept all water from siphon, at shut off. Also, drains system that wont ever let the return pump, overrun them. I run a 300g tank with my diy 75g sump. My backsiphon only raises the sump, water level. by 1 1/2 inches, at shut off.
@@FreeSwimmer I have a 240g with a 40g sump. My return pump is rated for a max of 3100gph. With the check valve, I get the same during shut off...about an inch of water in the sump. It's been like that since day 1 so very reliable.
@@GSP-76 one thing that happened is the sponges in the sump started to clog causing the operating water level to rise from 50 to about 75% unbeknownst to me. Meanwhile the auto top off continued to add water to the system. A subsequent power failure did not allow enough remaining space in the sump from the overflows. After 15 years of using two different sumps I discovered overflows can happen under unique sets of conditions. I now have an overflow for my sumps going into a 20 gallon tote as a back-up. Thanks for the input. I have had one way valves on my returns from day 1 and have experienced them clogging up too.
@@HalfManHalfCichlid I never used sponges in my sump but can see this happening. I have three filter socks in mine that I change out every week. There's a splash plate in mine which goes across all three socks first and then starts going into the sections of the sump.
Ben appreciate you and your videos. I know this isn't the first on sumps from you. But because of you and other you tubers videos explaining sumps a year ago I order a Custom Aquariums complete aquarium system with their Seamless sump. It was the best thing I did was get past my fears of a sump. Took a little time to get get it tuned to be more quite but I love it 100%. Once again thanks for passing on great info! You help change a fearfully heart to get a sump.
I’m curious about one thing. I’ve got a HOB filter, and an important part of setup is trying to get your intake as low as possible. My understanding is that this will do a better job at keeping uneaten food, detritus, etc. from settling on the bottom of the tank, thus keeping your substrate cleaner. Sumps don’t seem to be “sucking” much from anywhere besides the surface. The water running through the “teeth” probably works awesome for keeping films and gunk off of the surface, but what about the bottom? Do you notice that your sump tanks need to have their substrate cleaned more often?
That’s where good water circulation comes in that suspends the waste and moves it toward the intake. The canister with the low intake helps as well, and in tanks with big gravel you still need to vacuum, but I never have to vacuum my sand substrate sump filtered tank
Great information as always , I really enjoy your content. I currently have a 75 with an Oase and it has been great . Back in the hobby after a 30 year break 😊. My next tank will be at least a 125 most likely more like a 180, What size tank do you use for your sump. Also I am confused on the 2 pumps , it’s a great idea to have a back up heater in your sump but how do you have 2 pumps running at one time. Also the hang on the back container you have , what exactly is that .
Any videos on actually converting a 125g to a sump? I have two canisters on m8ne now but have been toying with converting to a sump. Just don’t know how to make the conversion.
Since your RUclips just popped up on my cell phone screen it reminded me to thank you. The last time videos popped up I was reaching for my phone to look up why my flighty was hanging at the top of the water. Your recommendation to put a air stone in saved her life. I'm so glad that you were there to save the day and that my platy is still alive. Luckily I happen to have an AirStone at that moment.!!! 🐠🐟
I always recommend to people with tanks at 125g or higher to use a sump. It simplifies your life and makes maintenance much easier than canisters. It doesn't have to be expensive. You could buy a 40g breeder tank and buy a cheap baffle kit and just glue it in. ALWAYS use a check valve on your return line.
Love these types of videos
Good stuff Ben. Ive got a 75g diy sump under my 300g diy plywood aquarium. Sumps are, by far the safest and most effective filtration. Granted the user understands, proper setup.
Exactly 😀👍🏻
You forgot yo describe the sock purpose...
They do the big mechanical job 😀👍🏻
Great explanation of a sump. Thank you. By the way, I think that you have a birthday coming up. If so Happy Birthday!
Thank you 😀👍🏻
Great video on sumps!
Thanks Pete!
I have had a number of sump related floods as I ran through the learning curve on design, installation and maintenance and a return pump that burned out due to water flow running low to the sump. Nothing I could not recover from, but it helps having your aquariums on a slab, in the basement or in the garage. Always have water sensors/alarms strategically located.
Any sump setup should have a check valve on the return line. That alone aliminates 99% odlf the dangers of a flooding.
@@GSP-76 The correct size sump to accept all water from siphon, at shut off. Also, drains system that wont ever let the return pump, overrun them. I run a 300g tank with my diy 75g sump. My backsiphon only raises the sump, water level. by 1 1/2 inches, at shut off.
@@FreeSwimmer I have a 240g with a 40g sump. My return pump is rated for a max of 3100gph. With the check valve, I get the same during shut off...about an inch of water in the sump. It's been like that since day 1 so very reliable.
@@GSP-76 one thing that happened is the sponges in the sump started to clog causing the operating water level to rise from 50 to about 75% unbeknownst to me. Meanwhile the auto top off continued to add water to the system. A subsequent power failure did not allow enough remaining space in the sump from the overflows. After 15 years of using two different sumps I discovered overflows can happen under unique sets of conditions. I now have an overflow for my sumps going into a 20 gallon tote as a back-up. Thanks for the input. I have had one way valves on my returns from day 1 and have experienced them clogging up too.
@@HalfManHalfCichlid I never used sponges in my sump but can see this happening. I have three filter socks in mine that I change out every week. There's a splash plate in mine which goes across all three socks first and then starts going into the sections of the sump.
Ben appreciate you and your videos. I know this isn't the first on sumps from you. But because of you and other you tubers videos explaining sumps a year ago I order a Custom Aquariums complete aquarium system with their Seamless sump. It was the best thing I did was get past my fears of a sump. Took a little time to get get it tuned to be more quite but I love it 100%. Once again thanks for passing on great info! You help change a fearfully heart to get a sump.
That’s awesome!
Excellent video! ThankYou
You’re welcome 😀👍🏻
I’m curious about one thing.
I’ve got a HOB filter, and an important part of setup is trying to get your intake as low as possible. My understanding is that this will do a better job at keeping uneaten food, detritus, etc. from settling on the bottom of the tank, thus keeping your substrate cleaner.
Sumps don’t seem to be “sucking” much from anywhere besides the surface. The water running through the “teeth” probably works awesome for keeping films and gunk off of the surface, but what about the bottom? Do you notice that your sump tanks need to have their substrate cleaned more often?
That’s where good water circulation comes in that suspends the waste and moves it toward the intake. The canister with the low intake helps as well, and in tanks with big gravel you still need to vacuum, but I never have to vacuum my sand substrate sump filtered tank
Great information as always , I really enjoy your content. I currently have a 75 with an Oase and it has been great . Back in the hobby after a 30 year break 😊. My next tank will be at least a 125 most likely more like a 180, What size tank do you use for your sump. Also I am confused on the 2 pumps , it’s a great idea to have a back up heater in your sump but how do you have 2 pumps running at one time. Also the hang on the back container you have , what exactly is that .
Imagine the pumps as one with the total GPH. 2 return lines, but no more complicated than that. I suggest sumps for 150 gal on up.
A bump, for the sump :)
Do you recommend a sump on smaller tanks like a 50 gallon? And which one you like a internal overflow box or external overflow box?
On a 50 I would suggest a hang-on-back or, if heavily stocked, a canister. I think a sump is good for 150+
@@BenOchart Thank you for reply you have a awesome and informal RUclips Channel
What happened to the Coffee & Cichlids streams!?!?
i need it to get through my water changes!!!?
Still every Sat@11am Central 😀👍🏻
Any videos on actually converting a 125g to a sump? I have two canisters on m8ne now but have been toying with converting to a sump. Just don’t know how to make the conversion.
How do you know what size pump to get for your sump setup?
Usually the overflow system has a recommended GPH. If you’re around that GPH with the return pumps you’re going to be okay.
There was an error. My face was a platy