- 1). Position the 20-gallon sump beneath the aquarium and directly under the predrilled hole in the aquarium's base pane.
- 2). Squeeze a tablespoon full of non-toxic silicone sealer around the 0.72-inch diameter hole in the base of the aquarium.
- 3). Push the gasket over the threaded end of the 0.72-inch diameter bulkhead and place this threaded end through the predrilled hole in the base pane of the aquarium. Push the gasket into the silicone and smooth the sealer around the washer to create a watertight seal.
- 4). Place the nut onto the bottom of the thread and tighten. Allow the silicone 24 hours to cure.
- 5). Place the 10-inch long PVC pipe over the thread of the bulkhead from underneath the aquarium. Squeeze a tablespoon full of non-toxic silicone sealer around the join and smooth the sealer over the join to create a watertight seal.
- 6). Run a continuous bead of silicone sealer along the side edge of one of the 8-inch long sides of the first pieces of glass. Place this piece, silicone side down, onto one side of the second 8-inch long piece of glass, so that the two pieces form a 90-degree angle.
- 7). Stand the structure in a vertical position to cure for 24 hours.
- 8). Run a continuous bead of silicone sealer along the entire bottom of the 90-degree structure and along the side edges of both sides of the structure.
- 9). Place the structure into the right-hand corner of the aquarium. The predrilled hole must be inside this structure. Allow 24 hours for the silicone to cure.
- 10
Attach the 5-foot plastic tubing onto the exhaust nozzle of the submersible pump and place the pump into the sump. Hang the opposite end of the pipe over the aquarium rim at the opposite end to the predrilled hole. - 11
Secure this end to the aquarium rim with a plastic clamp. - 12
Fill the hollow space created by the 90-degree structure with bio balls to approximately 1 inch from the rim of the structure. - 13
Place filter floss on top of the bio balls. - 14
Fill the aquarium until water begins to flow over the vertical 8-inch high glass structure. The water will trickle over the bio balls, down to the floor inside the cubicle created by the structure and flow via the predrilled hole and pipe into the sump. - 15
Allow the sump to fill to the halfway mark with water. - 16
Plug the sump pump into a power source and turn it on.
Source...