Oversized sump

lilko · 07/22/2009, 05:32 PM

I'm just curious how much benefit would oversized sump offer to stocking - let's say putting 100gal sump on the 55gal display tank. My display tank space is restricted, but crawler space below the tank could accommodate larger sump. Also, it would be less expensive to stock 55gal tank vs. 100gal. I guess I would need to follow regular life rock ratio/gallon (1.5lb/gal) to fully benefit.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Sisterlimonpot · 07/22/2009, 05:58 PM

Well the positive is that you’re going to have more water volume, which will be great for the livestock in the 55. And I would say only putting 55-75 lbs of live rock in there. And you can use the 100g as a nice refugium. The question I would have is (besides what you said already) why not swap it around and use the 55 as the sump?

lilko · 07/22/2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sisterlimonpot
The question I would have is (besides what you said already) why not swap it around and use the 55 as the sump?

Cost difference could be one of them. Sump can be made inexpensively. I guess at this point I just would like to know if it is worth a while to think about it conceptually. While ago I came across a tank setup somewhere in germany (can't no longer find a link), where guy had 210gal tank plumbed into over 1000gal water holding tank in his basement to increase the water volume.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

KarlBob · 07/22/2009, 06:37 PM

If you have the space available, and you don't mind larger water change volumes, I don't see any reason not to consider it. Everything I've read suggests that more total water volume makes a system more stable, whether it's the display tank or the sump that's larger than the other.

Lightsluvr · 07/22/2009, 06:39 PM

If you are truly limited in how large your DT can be, I applaud the concept of having greater water volume with a "oversized" sump!

One idea you moght consider (I received this advice from a very experienced aquarist): Be minimalist with the live rock in your DT. You will not be limited to the great pile of rocks we often see in small tanks... You could aquascape with islands of rock, accented with sand and open spaces for swimming and flow.

In the sump, you could put a deep sand bed (4" to 6") with lots of live rock on top for excellent filtration...

With this combination, your water quality would be more stable and easy to maintain.

JMHO.

LL

billdogg · 07/22/2009, 06:48 PM

+1000^^^ my DT is 150, my sump 50, and my fuge 120g. you will not be sorry you have more volume. it will be more stable, allow for many more stocking possibilities, etc...the bigger the better!!!

lilko · 07/22/2009, 07:44 PM

Thanks for all the replies so far. Now, if I would do 55gal DT w/ 100gal sump, would I need to add amount of LR for 55 gal or 155 gal? I guess skimmer would need to be rated for 155gal.

Any thoughts on that?

lilko · 07/24/2009, 11:12 PM

No more thoughts?

billdogg · 07/25/2009, 04:58 AM

I would get a skimmer rated for 200+ galons - they tend to be overrated by the manufacturers. Use the sump/fuge area for additional LR - that way you can keep your DT more open and still have all the benefits of lots of LR (especiall in a 55 - because they are narrow, it makes them more difficult to decorate

Lightsluvr · 07/25/2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lightsluvr

Be minimalist with the live rock in your DT. You will not be limited to the great pile of rocks we often see in small tanks... You could aquascape with islands of rock, accented with sand and open spaces for swimming and flow.

In the sump, you could put a deep sand bed (4" to 6") with lots of live rock on top for excellent filtration...
LL

What I suggested above...

LL

07/22/2009, 05:32 PM	#1
lilko Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 49	Oversized sump I'm just curious how much benefit would oversized sump offer to stocking - let's say putting 100gal sump on the 55gal display tank. My display tank space is restricted, but crawler space below the tank could accommodate larger sump. Also, it would be less expensive to stock 55gal tank vs. 100gal. I guess I would need to follow regular life rock ratio/gallon (1.5lb/gal) to fully benefit. Any thoughts? Thanks.

07/22/2009, 05:58 PM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Well the positive is that you’re going to have more water volume, which will be great for the livestock in the 55. And I would say only putting 55-75 lbs of live rock in there. And you can use the 100g as a nice refugium. The question I would have is (besides what you said already) why not swap it around and use the 55 as the sump? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

07/22/2009, 06:37 PM	#4
KarlBob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Laveen, AZ Posts: 2,309	If you have the space available, and you don't mind larger water change volumes, I don't see any reason not to consider it. Everything I've read suggests that more total water volume makes a system more stable, whether it's the display tank or the sump that's larger than the other. __________________ Later, KarlBob Current Tank Info: No tanks for now. Starting over in Austin sometime next year.

07/22/2009, 06:39 PM	#5
Lightsluvr Tangaroa to 500 gallons Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,855	If you are truly limited in how large your DT can be, I applaud the concept of having greater water volume with a "oversized" sump! One idea you moght consider (I received this advice from a very experienced aquarist): Be minimalist with the live rock in your DT. You will not be limited to the great pile of rocks we often see in small tanks... You could aquascape with islands of rock, accented with sand and open spaces for swimming and flow. In the sump, you could put a deep sand bed (4" to 6") with lots of live rock on top for excellent filtration... With this combination, your water quality would be more stable and easy to maintain. JMHO. LL __________________ Click on my username and select "Lightsluvr's Home Page" for a recap of our build thread - AGE Hybrid Tank in a 500G system with dedicated fish room. (Takes a few minutes for photos to load) Leave a note if you stop by... Current Tank Info: 350G AGE Hybrid reef tank. 500G+ total water volume. Three sumps for filtration. Barracuda Gold return and Hammerhead Gold closed loop pumps. DIY T5 light system on rails. MP40W x3 to supplement closed loop. 130G Water management system.

07/22/2009, 06:48 PM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	+1000^^^ my DT is 150, my sump 50, and my fuge 120g. you will not be sorry you have more volume. it will be more stable, allow for many more stocking possibilities, etc...the bigger the better!!! __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/22/2009, 07:44 PM	#7
lilko Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 49	More question... Thanks for all the replies so far. Now, if I would do 55gal DT w/ 100gal sump, would I need to add amount of LR for 55 gal or 155 gal? I guess skimmer would need to be rated for 155gal. Any thoughts on that?

07/24/2009, 11:12 PM	#8
lilko Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 49	No more thoughts?

07/25/2009, 04:58 AM	#9
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I would get a skimmer rated for 200+ galons - they tend to be overrated by the manufacturers. Use the sump/fuge area for additional LR - that way you can keep your DT more open and still have all the benefits of lots of LR (especiall in a 55 - because they are narrow, it makes them more difficult to decorate __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer