attn: modern commercial sump designers - Page 2

HippieSmell · 09/29/2017, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I paid $150 for an older Oceanic 150, another $150 for precut and polished 1/4" glass baffles, and probably another $50 for silicone, bulkheads, some eggcrate and PVC piping. So $350 all in (plus sweat equity .... though it is a hobby) and I'd stack it up against any of these commercial sumps - any day, all day. Lots of ways to waste money in this hobby; overpaying for a sump doesn't seem like a good one.

Plus, to me, making stuff for the hobby is part of the fun of it. Whether a sump, ATS, stand ..... whatever. Though I accept that some people don't have the skills or inclination to do it.

All my opinion of course.

Depends how how much your time is worth. FWIW, I designed my sump and had it custom made.

Having said all that, I've changed my mind and am throwing my hat into the ring for this company: https://matlss.com/product/skid-comp...-complete-lss/

If I was rebuilding, I would take a long, hard look at these. Apparently, one model is only $6k, but I'm not sure which one. Sounds like a lot, but it looks like serious bang per buck to me.

Gary Majchrzak · 09/29/2017, 11:45 AM

there's no way in hades I'm paying thousands of dollars for a sump.

I'm pretty sure I'm sticking with my Beckett skimmer and external pumps- items that are part of a "filter system" rather than strictly a sump.

I did have a Lifereef sump and filter system 20 years ago that was very good... but my display aquarium outgrew it... and it was not built to handle filter socks or Chaetomorpha/refugium etc.
I'm sure Jeff will build whatever you want if you go cu$tom sump.

shaginwagon13 · 09/29/2017, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary majchrzak

you have a rollermat(?)
why didn't you pay several thousands more and get that box of wet dreams?

lolllllll

ca1ore · 09/29/2017, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HippieSmell

Depends how how much your time is worth.

Immaterial to me. It's a hobby and I enjoy making stuff.

d2mini · 09/29/2017, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

there's no way in hades I'm paying thousands of dollars for a sump.

I'm pretty sure I'm sticking with my Beckett skimmer and external pumps- items that are part of a "filter system" rather than strictly a sump.

I did have a Lifereef sump and filter system 20 years ago that was very good... but my display aquarium outgrew it... and it was not built to handle filter socks or Chaetomorpha/refugium etc.
I'm sure Jeff will build whatever you want if you go cu$tom sump.

FWIW, a refugium is now part of his standard product line.

He uses filter pads instead of socks, which IME are easier to deal with. But that's just my opinion. I know many people like using socks.

Synergy Reef and Trigger Systems are now making Triton Method specific sumps which have a large refugium built in instead of those dinky little afterthought refugiums you typically see.

HippieSmell · 09/29/2017, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

there's no way in hades I'm paying thousands of dollars for a sump.

I'm pretty sure I'm sticking with my Beckett skimmer and external pumps- items that are part of a "filter system" rather than strictly a sump.

I did have a Lifereef sump and filter system 20 years ago that was very good... but my display aquarium outgrew it... and it was not built to handle filter socks or Chaetomorpha/refugium etc.
I'm sure Jeff will build whatever you want if you go cu$tom sump.

Did you look at the link I posted? I don't think anyone would call that just a sump. I think they look amazing. I want one. Makes a dreambox look like a toy.

Fishbulb2 · 09/29/2017, 05:31 PM

I bought my first commercial sump for this current aquarium and I can't stand it. It does have a place for filter socks, but it is BURIED in the back of the sump behind the skimmer. You have to lift off a small cover and reach your hand deep in there to pull out the filter sock holder which is really tight. It's just a terrible design. God awful. Then the skimmer chamber is small and you realize it really pigeon holes you into your options. Same with trying to find a heater. Only the titanium no-thermostat heater will fit. It's just such a terrible design. Everything about it. It also only has a couple of lines to attach tubing to for auto top off and carbon and two part. I had to add a bunch of my own. I'll never buy another sump. I'll just use an aquarium from here on out.

FB

Gary Majchrzak · 09/30/2017, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HippieSmell

Did you look at the link I posted? I don't think anyone would call that just a sump. I think they look amazing. I want one. Makes a dreambox look like a toy.

Looks too crowded. Jammed.
Some people are more impressed with sumps than displays. I'm not one of them.

I'm a KISS kind of guy

Gary Majchrzak · 09/30/2017, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb2

I bought my first commercial sump for this current aquarium and I can't stand it. It does have a place for filter socks, but it is BURIED in the back of the sump behind the skimmer. You have to lift off a small cover and reach your hand deep in there to pull out the filter sock holder which is really tight. It's just a terrible design. God awful. Then the skimmer chamber is small and you realize it really pigeon holes you into your options. Same with trying to find a heater. Only the titanium no-thermostat heater will fit. It's just such a terrible design. Everything about it. It also only has a couple of lines to attach tubing to for auto top off and carbon and two part. I had to add a bunch of my own. I'll never buy another sump. I'll just use an aquarium from here on out.

FB

I'm gonna need 20" for my 300 watt heaters, commercial sump builders.
I want to be able to have the option of running a pad or socks and they must be easy to insert/remove.
I don't want to pay $500+ for a sump and have to drill it for external pumps.
It's GOT to be covered to reduce splash/humidity in sump area.

rishma · 09/30/2017, 07:54 AM

I've never had interest in commercial Sumps because I found them overly complicated and didn't have any interest in the features. My sumps have lways just been a glass tank with a single weir. I've sometimes included a sock holder, and sometimes not. I often times ended up stopping using socks, and just letting that to try to settle in the sump to siphon out with water changes. KISS.

I now own first commercial sump, which came with my Red Sea reefer 170. It is a simple well thought out sump and I'm please with it. Works well with the system. My only gripe is they made the we are too short so the water level is only 7 inches in a limited my skimmer options. I am adding a very simple refugium/Cheato reactor hybrid this week out of a piece of large diameter PVC.

I think I'm just not the target market for the current fad a fancy Sumps. I do find them very attractive with some cleverly engineered features.

Mrs. Music · 09/30/2017, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

FWIW, a refugium is now part of his standard product line.

He uses filter pads instead of socks, which IME are easier to deal with. But that's just my opinion. I know many people like using socks.

Synergy Reef and Trigger Systems are now making Triton Method specific sumps which have a large refugium built in instead of those dinky little afterthought refugiums you typically see.

I am thinking about going back to my filter pads and converted wet dry. My bigger sump has added alot of moisture to the air and the socks are a little bit of a pita.

But the the newfangled sumps are soooo PRETTY. It does give me the wants it....never gonna due to the price tho.

09/29/2017, 11:45 AM	#27
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	to be frank there's no way in hades I'm paying thousands of dollars for a sump. I'm pretty sure I'm sticking with my Beckett skimmer and external pumps- items that are part of a "filter system" rather than strictly a sump. I did have a Lifereef sump and filter system 20 years ago that was very good... but my display aquarium outgrew it... and it was not built to handle filter socks or Chaetomorpha/refugium etc. I'm sure Jeff will build whatever you want if you go cu$tom sump. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

09/29/2017, 05:31 PM	#32
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	I bought my first commercial sump for this current aquarium and I can't stand it. It does have a place for filter socks, but it is BURIED in the back of the sump behind the skimmer. You have to lift off a small cover and reach your hand deep in there to pull out the filter sock holder which is really tight. It's just a terrible design. God awful. Then the skimmer chamber is small and you realize it really pigeon holes you into your options. Same with trying to find a heater. Only the titanium no-thermostat heater will fit. It's just such a terrible design. Everything about it. It also only has a couple of lines to attach tubing to for auto top off and carbon and two part. I had to add a bunch of my own. I'll never buy another sump. I'll just use an aquarium from here on out. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

09/30/2017, 07:54 AM	#35
rishma Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,206	I've never had interest in commercial Sumps because I found them overly complicated and didn't have any interest in the features. My sumps have lways just been a glass tank with a single weir. I've sometimes included a sock holder, and sometimes not. I often times ended up stopping using socks, and just letting that to try to settle in the sump to siphon out with water changes. KISS. I now own first commercial sump, which came with my Red Sea reefer 170. It is a simple well thought out sump and I'm please with it. Works well with the system. My only gripe is they made the we are too short so the water level is only 7 inches in a limited my skimmer options. I am adding a very simple refugium/Cheato reactor hybrid this week out of a piece of large diameter PVC. I think I'm just not the target market for the current fad a fancy Sumps. I do find them very attractive with some cleverly engineered features.