| Sumps are being used more and more in aquariums | | | | harder to attach them. |
| nowadays. The reason is that a lot of the required | | | | Now is where your patience will be tested. |
| equipment can be hidden from view in the aquarium | | | | For the next step you will require some aquarium |
| sump. Equipment such as protein skimmers, heaters, | | | | sealant. Using a sealant gun place a bead around |
| calcium reactors etc. | | | | where the partition will be and gently push the glass |
| A lot of people nowadays are using sumps as a place | | | | or acrylic into place. The sealant should push put from |
| to install either primary or additional filtration methods. | | | | around the sides - don't worry about this at the |
| Examples of these are mud beds, deep sand beds | | | | moment. Check all the edges to ensure that there is |
| and refugiums. | | | | enough sealant in place - we don't want any leaks. |
| The trouble with installing a type of filtration in the | | | | When you are happy that there is enough sealant in |
| sump is that accommodating this where equipment is | | | | place leave the sealant to cure. Once cured you can |
| also to be installed means that the sump needs to be | | | | use a sharp blade to tidy up the edges. Very |
| modified in one way or another. | | | | carefully cut the spill over away, taking care not to |
| Aquarists are looking at creating DIY reef aquarium | | | | cut into the core bead. Of course you do not need |
| sumps so that this can be performed, and with | | | | to do this if you don't want to - some aquarists |
| patience is easily accomplished. | | | | leave it as it is. Personally I like to make it as tidy as |
| To make DIY reef aquarium sumps you will first | | | | possible. |
| need to plan and even draw what you hope to | | | | Once all the partitions etc have been created, and |
| accomplish. Once this is done you need to obtain a | | | | the sealant is cured and tidied up, fill the aquarium |
| basic aquarium of the relevant size as well as some | | | | with water and check that it does not leak. I would |
| glass or acrylic. | | | | recommend filling one partition at a time and checking |
| To make the required partitions you will need to cut | | | | for leaks - of course it does depend upon your |
| the glass or acrylic. If you do not feel comfortable | | | | design. |
| with cutting glass then a glass merchant will do this | | | | If you plan your design and take your time then you |
| for you. Remember to take accurate measurements | | | | should hopefully be ok. If you do not feel |
| with you. When taking the measurements ensure | | | | comfortable at first why not practice on some old |
| that you leave a small gap between the partitions | | | | glass first. |
| and the inner side of the sump. | | | | DIY reef aquarium sumps are not that hard to make |
| Once the glass or acrylic is cut make sure that the | | | | but the complexity of the design depends upon what |
| edges are a clean cut. If they are not then it will be | | | | you hope to achieve. |