DIY Internal Sump Filter

[nsean]

Hello;

This is the internal filter I am considering making in my future 24"L x 20" x 20" aquarium. Before I introduce it I will tell you my reasoning behind this unique filter.

To start I am a student, and sadly on a student budget, so I don't have the money for a decent canister filter. I also want it to be quite, with no trickling water, since it will be set up in our living room, and my better half (and myself) don't want the sound of running water when we are freaking out studying for an exam. And finally we don't have much wall space, but have room for the required depth, so that is not an issue.

The idea is to have an intake located just above the substrate, to filter the poop and excess food out of the aquarium, and to have one mid level. The returns will be under water spray bars to set up a river like environment. The body of the filter will be built with acrylic to allow for easy drilling of the holes for the piping.

The water will run through filter floss to catch the large particles, since it is cheap, and easy to replace. I will have it run through a finer mechanical media, such as a sponge. It will then go through a biological media (not sure what kind yet). It will then flow into the other compartment (possibly going through a chemical filter bag) where the filter and pump will be located. I would like a pump capable of ~400GPH (and I know this will be reduced by the inevitable bends in the plumbing)

I am not sure what size of plumbing for the intake to use, I am thinking 3/4", but I might go to 1" to make sure enough water can siphon into the filter to keep up with the pump, what do you think? I am also considering creating a small skimmer, just 2-3 slots to help break up the surface water, and to reduce the possibility of any build up on the surface, again what do you think?

I really like this design because it eliminates me showing any plumbing (except for the returns) and I can house my heater in it. It also has the benefits of a sump without worrying about the gurgling produced by the overflow tube, and the possibility of a flood. I am also considering hiding it behind a DYI ceramic tile background, which I have read other places as being aquarium safe.

Please tell me what you think, and sorry for the poor drawing quality.

Sean.

 

[Sploke]

Looks cool - its the same basic setup the biocubes use, and the same principle I used when I built my 200gal plywood tank with a false back to hide the filtration.

 

[nsean]

The only modification I am considering is having an empty first chamber to make the intake easier, and to act as a debris trap, too conserve the media a little longer.

 

[nsean]

:help2:

 

[Sploke]

You can also look at the design SeaClear uses in their false-back filtration systems to get ideas.

 

[Cory Keeper]

If and when I build my rather large plywood tank, I plan to use a false wall as an internal sump. Then load up with sponges and media.

 

[nsean]

Yes the big difference is I would like to have most of the intake through PVC intake tubes, mostly located near the substrate. What size tubing should I use? I am considering 2-3 intakes.

Thanks

 

[Sploke]

why do you want to use pipes instead of just cutting a few slots in the divider and let the water spill over the top? If you are using a 400gph pump, I would think a single 1" return would work if you decide to go that way, although you may want to use 2 or 3 to slow down the flow so you're not sucking fish up.

 

[nsean]

I want to do it this way for 2 reasons. 1) To catch any crap that sinks to the bottom (poop excess food) 2) to help improve flow directionality since I am designing a river tank.