size of sump

corbosman · 06/28/2015, 03:30 PM

Hi all, im planning to build a 7'x30"x30" reef tank, my first. Unfortunately the way my house is, there is no easy place for me to put either an RO or a SW reservoir except for around the display tank. Anywhere else would be a real hassle. Any usable space is just too far away and would probably require significant construction/costs to lay down pipes.

I have about 12 feet of wall space available, with water and drain nearby but id prefer to not have plastic containers sitting in the living room.

I was hoping I could fit everything under the display tank, but I dont think it's possible. Id need to house all the electronics (apex, power, ..), a sump with skimmer, a couple reactors, doser, heater, ro unit and a reservoir for the RO unit for ATO. And then I still dont have a SW reservoir.

So I guess one option is to extend the stand to one or both sides so I have more space below the tank and extend the sump with a reservoir. Another option is to lug around a container whenever i need to do a water change. Unfortunately that would prohibit me from doing small daily automated water changes from a SW reservoir.

Am I right in concluding this wont fit in a 7' stand?

How do other people without space for plastic containers deal with this?

And does the above setup generate a ton of noise? Assuming you've done everything possible to minimise it.

thanks for any comments,

thegrun · 06/28/2015, 03:36 PM

While I didn't make room for a saltwater reservoir, I had enough room under my 120 for a fresh water reservoir large enough to handle better than two weeks of evaporation. With a 7' tank I would think there would be plenty of room for at least the fresh water.

thegrun · 06/28/2015, 03:37 PM

As you suggested, for the saltwater you could either extend the cabinet or make a separate cabinet for the saltwater reservoir.

corbosman · 06/28/2015, 03:46 PM

Yeah, I think thats the only way to go. I think I can fit RO water under the tank. I dont need a huge space for it anyways, as the RO system would just keep it filled continuously. A section in the sump would probably work.

For SW, im thinking, either a cabinet next to the main tank, or perhaps even on top. But that would probably be really annoying for access to the tank.

CStrickland · 06/28/2015, 03:52 PM

I saw a tank where the guy just bought a cheap basket with a lid from ikea or whatever. He poked a hole in the side for the ato line and put it next to the tank with the reservoir in it. It looked like part of the room.

06/28/2015, 03:30 PM	#1
corbosman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 28	size of sump Hi all, im planning to build a 7'x30"x30" reef tank, my first. Unfortunately the way my house is, there is no easy place for me to put either an RO or a SW reservoir except for around the display tank. Anywhere else would be a real hassle. Any usable space is just too far away and would probably require significant construction/costs to lay down pipes. I have about 12 feet of wall space available, with water and drain nearby but id prefer to not have plastic containers sitting in the living room. I was hoping I could fit everything under the display tank, but I dont think it's possible. Id need to house all the electronics (apex, power, ..), a sump with skimmer, a couple reactors, doser, heater, ro unit and a reservoir for the RO unit for ATO. And then I still dont have a SW reservoir. So I guess one option is to extend the stand to one or both sides so I have more space below the tank and extend the sump with a reservoir. Another option is to lug around a container whenever i need to do a water change. Unfortunately that would prohibit me from doing small daily automated water changes from a SW reservoir. Am I right in concluding this wont fit in a 7' stand? How do other people without space for plastic containers deal with this? And does the above setup generate a ton of noise? Assuming you've done everything possible to minimise it. thanks for any comments,

06/28/2015, 03:52 PM	#5
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	I saw a tank where the guy just bought a cheap basket with a lid from ikea or whatever. He poked a hole in the side for the ato line and put it next to the tank with the reservoir in it. It looked like part of the room. __________________ If you're havin tank problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a fish ain't one Current Tank Info: 3/2016 upgrade to 120g. Chalk bass, melanurus, firefish, starry blenny, canary blenny, lyretail anthias, engineer gobys, kole tang. Softies / LPS / NPS. <3 noob4life <3

06/28/2015, 03:36 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	While I didn't make room for a saltwater reservoir, I had enough room under my 120 for a fresh water reservoir large enough to handle better than two weeks of evaporation. With a 7' tank I would think there would be plenty of room for at least the fresh water.

06/28/2015, 03:37 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	As you suggested, for the saltwater you could either extend the cabinet or make a separate cabinet for the saltwater reservoir.

06/28/2015, 03:46 PM	#4
corbosman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 28	Yeah, I think thats the only way to go. I think I can fit RO water under the tank. I dont need a huge space for it anyways, as the RO system would just keep it filled continuously. A section in the sump would probably work. For SW, im thinking, either a cabinet next to the main tank, or perhaps even on top. But that would probably be really annoying for access to the tank.