What size sump?

bpledger84 · 04/21/2011, 09:24 PM

Ok my wonderful wife bought me a 46 gallon bowfront tank which is an up grade from my 29 gallon tank i have right now.... Was wondering what size sump would work for me. Any ideas??

Scott B · 04/21/2011, 10:05 PM

depends on what you want to put in there... a 20g sump would prob. fit underneath

dublo8 · 04/21/2011, 10:08 PM

The biggest you can fit is the answer. What do I win?

computeaholic · 04/22/2011, 08:55 AM

I agree with dublo8. Your sump can't be too big. The real question you are asking is how stable do I want my water. I have a 75 gallon and I added a 30 gallon. When I upgrade to my 150 I plan on using a 75 gallon sump with a 30 gallon isolation/breeder tank all on my system. 20 is sufficient without a doubt. Mine future one will be over kill. However, the more water you have the more stable your system becomes.

Chris27 · 04/22/2011, 09:36 AM

The limiting factors to sump size are the amount of water that drains out of the tank when the return pump is turned off, and the location of the sump when installed. That said, if the overflow is set high in the tank, and there are siphon breaks on the returns close to the running water level, a 20 Gallon would be a good choice.....that is if there is enough room under the stand where you intend of keeping the sump.

Running a seriously over-sized sump isn't necessary by any means, it's just always recommended per the pollution/dilution standpoint.

bpledger84 · 04/22/2011, 11:29 AM

Thanks for all the feedback... Im having a stand built so ill just figure it in and make the stand to fit the sump.

scarolina01 · 04/22/2011, 01:26 PM

I would suggest you use the old 29g as your sump. You could get some plexi-glass from Lowes or Home depot to make your baffles/dividers. That's what I did when I upgraded from my 29g to 65g and it's worked great.

torero500 · 04/22/2011, 02:14 PM

I have a similar size tank (54 gallon) and I'm using a 20 Tall. Gave me enough room to get it in and out of the cabinet below, and I'm running 3 different chambers in it.

04/21/2011, 09:24 PM	#1
bpledger84 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 89	What size sump? Ok my wonderful wife bought me a 46 gallon bowfront tank which is an up grade from my 29 gallon tank i have right now.... Was wondering what size sump would work for me. Any ideas??

04/21/2011, 10:05 PM	#2
Scott B Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 176	depends on what you want to put in there... a 20g sump would prob. fit underneath __________________ 150 mixed reef, Skimz skimmer, Aquatic life T5/AI sol blues,Reef Angel controller, Reef breeders wave makers Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef

04/21/2011, 10:08 PM	#3
dublo8 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morgan Hill, Ca Posts: 3,225	The biggest you can fit is the answer. What do I win? __________________ 10g IM fusion. Zoa and SPS dominant, Apex monitored, Ai Prime, MP10, sicce return.

04/22/2011, 09:36 AM	#5
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	The limiting factors to sump size are the amount of water that drains out of the tank when the return pump is turned off, and the location of the sump when installed. That said, if the overflow is set high in the tank, and there are siphon breaks on the returns close to the running water level, a 20 Gallon would be a good choice.....that is if there is enough room under the stand where you intend of keeping the sump. Running a seriously over-sized sump isn't necessary by any means, it's just always recommended per the pollution/dilution standpoint. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

04/22/2011, 01:26 PM	#7
scarolina01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Walton Hills, Ohio Posts: 254	I would suggest you use the old 29g as your sump. You could get some plexi-glass from Lowes or Home depot to make your baffles/dividers. That's what I did when I upgraded from my 29g to 65g and it's worked great. __________________ Starting a new 125g Reef Tank

04/22/2011, 08:55 AM	#4
computeaholic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 76	I agree with dublo8. Your sump can't be too big. The real question you are asking is how stable do I want my water. I have a 75 gallon and I added a 30 gallon. When I upgrade to my 150 I plan on using a 75 gallon sump with a 30 gallon isolation/breeder tank all on my system. 20 is sufficient without a doubt. Mine future one will be over kill. However, the more water you have the more stable your system becomes.

04/22/2011, 11:29 AM	#6
bpledger84 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 89	Thanks for all the feedback... Im having a stand built so ill just figure it in and make the stand to fit the sump.

04/22/2011, 02:14 PM	#8
torero500 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 289	I have a similar size tank (54 gallon) and I'm using a 20 Tall. Gave me enough room to get it in and out of the cabinet below, and I'm running 3 different chambers in it.

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