Rubbermaid stock tank for sump setup? Anyone using?

[Nickjr000]

Setting up a new 215 reef and I hate micro bubbles so I want to eliminate this problem from the start. Tank is on first floor and the filter/equipment will be under it in the basement. Don't want to buy a sump because of the cost, and my flow will be very high so I think bubbles will make their way through the baffles anyway. Also They restrict your space it's always a tight fit for everything in a sump. So... I was thinking of using the 100 gallon stock tank for a sump but not sure if bubbles returning to the tank will be a problem? I'd like to keep the bulkhead for the return in the middle of the stock tank since this is where it comes and there's no other great flat spots for it cause the tank is curved. Don't need any leak issues I'd like to avoid those as well. I don't like stacking live rock as a bubble trap because it's a lot of money for it and it's also a food and waste trap. I've seen the stock tank's used many times before but never noticed any bubble traps or such things in them. Any suggestions will be helpful thanks

 

[Edwardw771]

i have two they work well

 

[Nickjr000]

No problems with bubbles coming back up? How high do you keep the water level in it? Is your skimmer in sump or out?

 

[Nickjr000]

do you need a baffle? Could you just keep your return inlet on bottom, keep water level high and let the overflow water come in across top of sump?

 

[Tazmaniancowboy]

I have the 100 Gal rubbermaid. I have no baffles and the only time I get micro bubbles is when the water level is really low. I have an in sump skimmer resting on an inverted 5 gallon bucket to raise it above water level at the moment until I figure out exactly how I want everything. When I got the rubbermaid, the first thing I did wasclose off the stock bulkhead with the plug they give you and silicone so it did not lead. Then I installed a 2" bulkhead on the end of the side just before the curve starts(Hope this is clear). I went with the 2" so I would never starve any pump I put on the system, I just stepped down at the pump to the inlet size. I did notice however that they changed the style, I'm not sure what style you have so I do not know if you can do like I did.

I run mine all they way to the top rib(step) which allows room for drainage from my 2 tanks to settle in if I lose power. I am probably running around 2000GPH through the system through a filter sock and dumping into the sump about 4 inches from water level. My brother had to make some sort of P-trap with a t at the end and some live rock in front of the hole to eliminate his bubbles.

A couple of things I recommend ts to make sure the tub is on a platform (mine is on concrete blocks) and mount the pump to the floor. This way the pump should never get airlocked, I've never had it happen, but I have seen it happen to people who mount the pump level with the tub. Keep the drain line as far away as you can so the bubbles you do get in the sump has room to rise to the surface before getting sucked into the pump, this can be accomplished by drilling the new hole on one end and dumping the return into the other. These tubs are extremely easy to drill. I have seen baffles and even a fuge/deep sand bed partition before, but I have nothing. Also you can make a shelf in the middle with some pvc pipe and eggcrate or something similar to rest the skimmer or anything else you may find the need for.

Hope this helps, Let me know if you have any questions, I'll try to clarify and help out.

Good luck
Taz

 

[malulu]

- i have a 5gal bucket in the 100g tub
- i drill some 1" holes near the bottom of the bucket, then place some live rock it in
- then the return pipe is just lay on top of the bucket
- all the bubble would be floating on top, and the return pump is sucking the water out from the original bulkhead plug.

i am in green brook, 08812 (very closed to bridgewater), if you can stop by to take a look if interested.
thx

 

[Nickjr000]

Taz and David thanks for the help. Taz I like the 2" bulkhead idea that's a good one.

 

[repo man]

works good i had 1 set up like that you could try to make a filter box out of abs or acrylic and glue it in egg crate to hold your filter media. just thought i would put my 2 cents in

 

[paintman27]

heres one way to address bubbles

 

[jimroth]

That's cool, I love the "side saddle" UV sterilizer!

 

[Nickjr000]

That's nice paintman! The bigger pvc 4" ? Acts as the bubble trap and holds the filter bags? That's a great idea! How much flow do you have going through your overflow's and into your sump? Do they all get filtered through the filter bags?