After looking for something totally different I found a small 1000lt/hr submersible pump

I bought years ago (forgot I had it lol) any way the brain started to whirr and ideas flowed

Ok the plan to put the pump in the return part of the sump and pump filtered water back into the tank @ just above gravel height (check valve @ top of tank )

next question how to run the out let I didn't want pipes every where to I decided to make a manifold with 3 outlets

the manifold would be burried under the gravel

pic of pump and self made manifold



size compared to a coke can




My next thought was how to try and conceal it, so out with the drill and a nice bit of drift wood and the out come





I'll place it on the same side as the sump return but to the front of the tank gravel height pointing to wards the in take of the sump

hope it works lol

Cheers Gaz

Gazza wrote:


So, the manifold is gonna be in the tank, right?
You lost me there, for the first sentence made me think it would be in the sump...
explain, please? (i suppose it's the pump that goes into the last chamber of the sump?)
Take into consideration, your sump will be emptied quicker by the pump , so the flow of the sump pump may have to be adjusted accordingly.

i use a pump like that on my wifes comm tank, and had to create a spraybar to disperse the waterflow, for the little fish would almost swirl out of the tank.
but the pump is inside the tank as well, no pressure loss due to the point of discharge.

edit: I allmost forgot to congratulate you on your concealing method, that one deserves a 2 thumbs up.
Smart move and surely something I'll keep in mind.
i may steal, uhm, use the cover-up idea in time!

My Bad on the explanation

Yes the little pump goes into the sump the main pump will be external hard plumbed

The manifold will be @ the bottom of the tank with a check valve @ the top

Both the main pump and the little one are adjustable so I should be able to regulate both pumps to meet requirements ie: gentle stream from manifold and enough from the main to balance the sump

Target is max water turn over with out creating a whirlpool

That better guys

Cheers Gaz

that's clear.
I guess you may want to use the maximum flowrate on the new pump to get the result you want.
a 1000L/H split up in 3 minimizes the flow quite a bit.
How long is your tank?
Do you have any decorations in your tank that will be in the flow of the manifold?
I had to remove some driftwood that i had hanging in my tank, for it changed the flow of the main pump so much, that i had a lot of debris getting stuck in the tank.

Noddy the tank is 6ft long 24"w x 28"h

I was told today the tank should be ready in 3 days (holes drilled) so no decoration yet

but you have a good point there

To a certain extent I can bend the outlets in slightly different directions if required .

the 3 outlets are only 8 maybe 10 mm each and the little pump kicks ass for it's size
Time will tell bit of a fiddle here adjust this and that I'll work it out I hope lol

Cheers and thanks for your help

Gaz

your putting some real thought into your set up. I like all I see so far, its nice to see a bit of craftmanship going into the job and not just shop bought. 5 star for effort mate

thats a great idea gazz =]
i might have to put in my order for one of your tanks =]

Thanks for the positive feed back

I have a few more ideas but need to sort how to do it right first

Cheers Gaz

your putting me to shame. I just bought a stick on power head and placed it on the glass. I hate seeing pipes and hose. maybe I should put some effort in to my tank.

Gazza wrote:


cool, and well thought off.
i though they were welded and could not be adjusted.

the reason i told you about the decor messing with your flow, was from my own expierience.
As you see in this picture, i had a hanging piece of driftwood on the surface of my tank on the right side just behind the big log.



But a kept getting loads of dirt in my tank.
until i figured out the flow was adjusted and partially stopped at the first third of my tank by the wood, that was in the current from the outlet... :angry:

i removed the driftwood, had some pissed of plecos for some time, but got a squeeky clean tank within some hours.

Very cool set up bud I like it

Gaz