sumps

pilotguy · 02/05/2010, 04:56 PM

Hello,
I have a 150 gallon tank and I am wondering what size of sump I will need to maintain that tank.
Still new to this and I am going to be researching on here to find my answers but I thought why not throw the question out there.
Thanks
Travis

Shane Hoffman · 02/05/2010, 05:01 PM

I have a 150 and because of restraints under my stand I can only fit a 20 long. If I had my way i would have a 40 breeder. I would assume this would allow me to then have roughly 30 gallons of water in my sump while at the same time leaving me room for my skimmer, return and a small fuge. In theory bigger is better as long as it doesnt become cost prohibitive. Meaning you dont want a 200 gallon sump and a 150 display because then you are paying for water changes of a 350 gallon system while only getting the viewing pleasure of a 150. If it is remote and you have all of the room in the world I would do a 55 gallon sump. Then you could have a rather large fuge and room for a RDSB if you so chose.

jp634 · 02/05/2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travsi

Hello,
I have a 150 gallon tank and I am wondering what size of sump I will need to maintain that tank.
Still new to this and I am going to be researching on here to find my answers but I thought why not throw the question out there.
Thanks
Travis

the bigger the better It really depends on how much room you have.

pilotguy · 02/05/2010, 05:17 PM

it has a decent size cabinet it sits on so I will have to measure that and see what I can get in it. thanks for the help guys

swjim · 02/05/2010, 05:49 PM

I agree that in general the bigger the better, just don't forget to budget room for your other equipment. The other practical minimum that you want to keep in mind is your sump should be big enough to accomodate any water that will siphon out of the tank when the return pump is powered off.

fleming3 · 02/05/2010, 06:03 PM

Also - remember that in-sump skimmers typically perform best at a constant water level that can differ with certain brands. To give you an idea, when I was setting up my 90G I wanted to use a 29G sump. The skimmer that I have operates at it's full potential between 5 1/4" and 6 3/4" inches. In order to get it to that level in the 29, I would have had to put the skimmer on a stand in the first chamber. Well, that extra height would have made removal of the collection cup impossible in my stand. I had to downgrade to a 20G long to make it work.

Just something else to keep in mind!

02/05/2010, 04:56 PM	#1
pilotguy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 445	sumps Hello, I have a 150 gallon tank and I am wondering what size of sump I will need to maintain that tank. Still new to this and I am going to be researching on here to find my answers but I thought why not throw the question out there. Thanks Travis

02/05/2010, 05:01 PM	#2
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	I have a 150 and because of restraints under my stand I can only fit a 20 long. If I had my way i would have a 40 breeder. I would assume this would allow me to then have roughly 30 gallons of water in my sump while at the same time leaving me room for my skimmer, return and a small fuge. In theory bigger is better as long as it doesnt become cost prohibitive. Meaning you dont want a 200 gallon sump and a 150 display because then you are paying for water changes of a 350 gallon system while only getting the viewing pleasure of a 150. If it is remote and you have all of the room in the world I would do a 55 gallon sump. Then you could have a rather large fuge and room for a RDSB if you so chose. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

02/05/2010, 05:17 PM	#4
pilotguy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 445	it has a decent size cabinet it sits on so I will have to measure that and see what I can get in it. thanks for the help guys

02/05/2010, 05:49 PM	#5
swjim Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boerne, TX Posts: 884	I agree that in general the bigger the better, just don't forget to budget room for your other equipment. The other practical minimum that you want to keep in mind is your sump should be big enough to accomodate any water that will siphon out of the tank when the return pump is powered off.

02/05/2010, 06:03 PM	#6
fleming3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 94	Also - remember that in-sump skimmers typically perform best at a constant water level that can differ with certain brands. To give you an idea, when I was setting up my 90G I wanted to use a 29G sump. The skimmer that I have operates at it's full potential between 5 1/4" and 6 3/4" inches. In order to get it to that level in the 29, I would have had to put the skimmer on a stand in the first chamber. Well, that extra height would have made removal of the collection cup impossible in my stand. I had to downgrade to a 20G long to make it work. Just something else to keep in mind!