sump sizes for 140 gallon mixed reef

fredknack · 07/07/2007, 10:39 PM

I am building a 140 gallon tank. It is in wall so I do have a fairly large space under the tank. I have an old 50 gallon that I can convert to a sump. I also have one of the older style 10" by 20" sumps that use the bio balls. If I use the 50 gallon tank as a sump I will need to build it permanently into the space under the tank.

Questions/Choices

1) Go with the 50 gallon tank converted to a sump/refugium

2) Can I get away with the small sump and use a filter sock and skimmer instead of the bio balls. Then add a seperate large refugium.

3) Or should I just buy a nice size sump that falls in-between the two and possibly still add a seperate refugium.

Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

sjm817 · 07/07/2007, 10:43 PM

Bio-balls are pretty much a thing of the past. The filter sock and skimmer is a much better idea. Use as big sump as you can fit.

fredknack · 07/07/2007, 11:10 PM

Thanks sjm

I really like the idea of adding a lot of water volume to the system so I probably will take your advice. I just got cold feet when It came time to actually build my 50 gallon tank permanently into the stand.

07/07/2007, 10:39 PM	#1
fredknack Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 112	sump sizes for 140 gallon mixed reef I am building a 140 gallon tank. It is in wall so I do have a fairly large space under the tank. I have an old 50 gallon that I can convert to a sump. I also have one of the older style 10" by 20" sumps that use the bio balls. If I use the 50 gallon tank as a sump I will need to build it permanently into the space under the tank. Questions/Choices 1) Go with the 50 gallon tank converted to a sump/refugium 2) Can I get away with the small sump and use a filter sock and skimmer instead of the bio balls. Then add a seperate large refugium. 3) Or should I just buy a nice size sump that falls in-between the two and possibly still add a seperate refugium. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

07/07/2007, 10:43 PM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Bio-balls are pretty much a thing of the past. The filter sock and skimmer is a much better idea. Use as big sump as you can fit. __________________ - Scott

07/07/2007, 11:10 PM	#3
fredknack Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 112	Thanks sjm I really like the idea of adding a lot of water volume to the system so I probably will take your advice. I just got cold feet when It came time to actually build my 50 gallon tank permanently into the stand. __________________ 3 years reef. 140 Gallon in-wall reef. 50 gallon planted aquarium. 12 Gallon Biocube Current Tank Info: 50 gallon planted, 140 gallon in wall reef.