External Pump Question

[epleeds]

I am wondering if it is possible to attach an external pump to a sump without having to drill the sump. Could you attach some PVC tubing in an upside down U shape similar to an HOB overflow and draw the water out of the sump, into the external pump and then to the return plumbing? Or would this cause to much strain on the pump due to having to pull water out of the sump?

 

I hope someone understands what i am trying to do. Also the sump is 18" in height, if that matters.

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

I had trouble starting mine when I tried testing a skimmer with it setup like that. The pocket of air is a pain, probly other aspects of this setup are not good either but I am not sure.

[dbartco]

only started one like that with a smalll maxijet to get it going.

[Jon Lazar]

You might want to oversize the pipe on the intake side of the pump to minimize flow problems.

[OldReefer]

I tried that once. I spent a lot of time on it and built a few "sculptures" out of PVC fittings to go over the side, but none really worked consistently. Probably best to get a couple clean garbage cans and drain the sump. It will only hurt for a couple hours.

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

Yup I agree, you will spend more time messing with it then drilling a hole.

[Origami]

If it's not self priming, no. Most are not. Manual priming will be needed to get it to start. If the pump is not primed, you can have problems with it after power outages if the priming is lost for whatever reason.

[zygote2k]

if you put the pump above the water level and make the intake as straight as possible, you might get it to work. up and over and down to the pump just aint gonna cut it.

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

Yea that's what I did was put the pump up high, but was still a pain to get started.

[Steve175]

+4 to suck it up and drill it

[Manny]

Didn't want to drill the tank so I built a self priming PVC one for about 6 bucks (no glue to boot). Google you tube for it. Looks like an L and U. Hard to explain and pm me if you need a pic. With 1 inch PVC my external pump (1200 gph) seems to keep up fine.

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I had one set up like this for years.

 

It was trivial to set up, and would always start after a power outage (water always stayed in it, so it was always primed).

 

Took about 5 min to set up.

 

Here is a pic.

 

Edited September 17, 2012 by extreme_tooth_decay