Habitat - Indoor

Okay so I'm going to attempt this diy canister http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14460 or this diy sump http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9CVVb-C-eY but I'd like your advice on some of the specifics before i begin. Okay I have a 30 gallon tank with a 6-8 month res that a about 3 or 4 inches long. I am currently using a 75 gallon over the top filter but it's noisy and I'd like to try my hand at diy. My main question is about the power head I need. I was thinking a powerhead rated at about 200 gph? Also would you guys recommend I try the sump or the canister set up? Finally I will also be attempting a diy PVC overflow from here http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-overflow/120.asp. I'll post pictures from whatever I decide. Thanks in advance for your help!!! Oh and incase this is important the canister/sump with be separated from the overflow by a height of 4 feet. (sump is on the ground while overflow is on the tank which is on a stand.

a sump will usually be noisier than a hob.

Always get a powerhead that is rated for a flow greater than what you're aiming for. With a 4 foot head height the pump will have to work against gravity to pump the water back to the tank. Most powerheads will give you a rating that corresponds to the head height.

I don't think that person ever got the DIY canister to work properly.There were noticeable flaws as soon as i saw it.
The sump would be the better of the 2 options, if you're comfortable with that bulky design. Otherwise just find a good old used canister for about 50 bucks on ebay or craigslist.

Okay i built own sump and overflow and everything is looking great so far. I have a fountain pump that is rated for 124 gph with a 5 foot head. I used 3/4 inch PVC for the overflow but it's not keeping up with the pump. This is design I used http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-overflow/120.asp. Ive already performed a power out test and it restarts fine every single time, it's just not keeping up with the pump. I have cemented or glued anything in yet so I think that mitt be the problem with the restricted flow but i wanna be sure. I'll post pics of the overflow and diy sump I made. Thanks for the help!

Oh, with a 30 gallon and a three inch turtle, will 124 gph be enough filtration for her given that I'm using a diy sump?

khg002 wrote:Oh, with a 30 gallon and a three inch turtle, will 124 gph be enough filtration for her given that I'm using a diy sump?

You may need to siphon up bigger chunks of waste, but as far as water clarity and bio filtration go, you're good to go. For 124 GPH you'll need at least a 1/2" PVC.

Too big of a pipe won't hold a siphon after a power outage and will make slurping and gurgling noises. Too little a pipe won't be able to keep up with the flow as you've found out. Good thing PVC is affordable

Ive seen charts that claim 3/4 inch pvc can handle upwards of 300 gph. If you guys honestly think I need to go with bigger pvc I will but I have a feeling the flow is slower because I have yet to cement anything. So far Ive just stuck pieces together and tested it out. Also Ive noticed the the water flowing from the overflow to clear vinyl tubing isnt moving with tremendous speed. I figured that if the pump was maxing out the overflow the vinyl tubing would at least be completely full of water, as it stand now the vinyl tubing is only about half water, the rest being air.

I ran my DIY PVC overflow with 1 1/4" PVC. The rate was about 225 GPH and after it settled I had no unbearable sounds emanating from the overflow. I didn't run my hardline to vinyl tubing because I didn't need to. The PVC ended right over the refug I had running with plants in it. Are you sure your siphon is complete? How are you starting the siphon? I used a check valve screwed inserted into a hole I drilled in an elbow fitting.

Here's a link to the post I made about that:
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=22117

I screwed about a 1/8 inch hole in the coupler nearest the pvc that enters the tank and put a check valve in it. I then sucked air into the pipe until the siphon started.

BTW i got aquarium water in my mouth and i was moderately upset. My turtle, Valentine sat right near the edge of the tank and watched me cough and spit in a salmonella-induced panic.

khg002 wrote:BTW i got aquarium water in my mouth and i was moderately upset. My turtle, Valentine sat right near the edge of the tank and watched me cough and spit in a salmonella-induced panic.

haha, yeah...i've done this too many times while starting siphons from my tank and for the same reason you did. I think my immune system scoffs at salmonella after all the torture i've sent it through :lol:

Okay so i just siphoned water from the pvc check valve using a little tube and no air came out, indicating to me that the flow should be at maximum. When i look to see how much water is flowing through the PVC it's still less than half full of water.

Is there some other way to check for a complete siphon? As far as I know mine is complete.

Btw, this is the exact design I'm using http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-overflow/120.asp

Habitat - Indoor :: Attempting a diy sump or canister filter. Need advice.

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