HOB or Sump?

freshera07 · 09/21/2007, 04:14 PM

What will be better for my 29g AGA:

1. two aquaclear 110(500gph). One is modded w/ refugium and other is for meda such as carbon, polyfilter, purigen, etc.

OR

2. 10g AGA sump w/ via aqua 1300 return pump at 6ft(79gph including head pressure) w/ three chambers( drain -> refugium -> return) There will only be one return to the main tank(won't be splitting/teeing it)

I want to know which would be cheaper to setup. What about the price to benefits ratio?

thanks

seastar12 · 09/21/2007, 04:18 PM

I think the 10 gallon would be better, don't know about cheaper, though. Actually if you buy the aquaclears brand new, they might cost more than the 10 gallon sump.

pdfb55 · 09/21/2007, 07:16 PM

they should be similar in price, but maybe the sump could be cheaper. You can get a 10g for under $10 and and return pump shouldn't be more than 2 AC 110. You could also get one of those homedepot shop lights with those 65k bulbs from walmart for really cheap. I would definity go with the sump if I were you. To me it looks better and it should be cheaper.

crab0000 · 09/21/2007, 07:44 PM

Are you going to run a skimmer?

freshera07 · 09/21/2007, 09:43 PM

no im not using a skimmer...just a refugium and live rock as main filtration

pledosophy · 09/21/2007, 10:35 PM

I think the aquaclears would be cheaper, but the 10g better.

The aquaclears will give you 1000 gph of flow which is nice cost you about $120 to setup both

The sump, well you'd have to drill the 29g.

10g sump will be $10
Baffles will be another $20
Plumbing (bulkheads, pipes, hoses, glue, cutters) $40
Shop light with bulb $20
Return pump $70 (for a good quieter motel like the ehiem) You could go for the MJ 1200 option for $20 or so but it will only give you 150 gph or so after the head loss.
Powerhead to give you the flow that the 2 aquaclears would $60 (for the Seio)
total $220 ish not including cost to drill.

IMO the sump would be way better but your really only going to get another 5g or so of volume with a 10g (since you have to leave room for back syphon.

There is a 25g that has a similar footprint to the 10g that would be a bit more money and give you much much more volume, but that's not what you asked about and would add another $40 or so to the price.

In my 20g long, I thought about the aquaclear option, but oped for a 20g sump. which is used as a 20g refugium. I'm happy with my choice.

JMO

freshera07 · 09/21/2007, 10:42 PM

Thanks for the opinions...

alot of people have been telling me that 10g is not worth it since you only have 5g more. Well thats the only tank I could fit in my stand.

Does a sump really matter to me since I could only fit 10g? Is it worth the time? I have always had this debate over a sump.

pledosophy · 09/21/2007, 10:48 PM

If you have a 29g standard it has a footprint of 30x12 no?

A 20g long and a 37g tall have the same footprint.

Seaclear makes a 25g tank that will fit under the 29g stand if you take a half inch off of each side of the back braces which is O.K. to do IME since the stand is also made to support the 44g tall which also has the 30x12 footprint.

If your stuck on the 10g then ya I think the aquaclears are a better option for you.

As far as the time invested into making a sump, IME it takes a few hours if you really know what your doing, so my first one took me a day (around 10 hours for everything). That time is made up in maintence IME.

The Aqaclear is an easier option and depending on what you plan to keep may be just fine. A lot of this hobby is about what we can do, more then what we really need to do.

I'm sure your tank will be great either way.

JMO

tripinpn01 · 09/21/2007, 10:49 PM

i would do the AC for convenience.

freshera07 · 09/21/2007, 11:34 PM

well if I make a sump I can install an auto top off system within the sump and don't need a strong pump to pump water up 5ft from the ground. I can use gravity to pump for ato since the sump is at ground level. Also making a refugium is also much easier, whereas with the aquaclears, I'll have to cut out stuff, look for a small impeller, and such.

For me I think the sump is easier if I were to compare the two. The problem is I don't know if it is worth doing since my 10g is too small. I'm also worried about the noise since the tank is in th living room, I don't want my guests complaining about bathroom noise beside them.

Oh yeah, all i know is that i'm sticking with the 10g if i were to go with a sump.

pledosophy · 09/22/2007, 01:00 AM

Then I'd go with the HOB's myself.

JMO.

Best of Luck. Post pics when it's up.

freshera07 · 09/22/2007, 03:48 PM

I think I'll just sump it because it makes the auto topoff much easier since I can just buy an air lifter instead of something much powerful to pump water upwards. Also I guess it'll make water changes much easier and less stressful to the fish and corals.

09/21/2007, 04:14 PM	#1
freshera07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 80	HOB or Sump? What will be better for my 29g AGA: 1. two aquaclear 110(500gph). One is modded w/ refugium and other is for meda such as carbon, polyfilter, purigen, etc. OR 2. 10g AGA sump w/ via aqua 1300 return pump at 6ft(79gph including head pressure) w/ three chambers( drain -> refugium -> return) There will only be one return to the main tank(won't be splitting/teeing it) I want to know which would be cheaper to setup. What about the price to benefits ratio? thanks

09/21/2007, 07:16 PM	#3
pdfb55 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 357	they should be similar in price, but maybe the sump could be cheaper. You can get a 10g for under $10 and and return pump shouldn't be more than 2 AC 110. You could also get one of those homedepot shop lights with those 65k bulbs from walmart for really cheap. I would definity go with the sump if I were you. To me it looks better and it should be cheaper. __________________ -Kyle Current Tank Info: Oceanic 120 Tech, 48 inch maristar fixture, MRC Skimmer, Geo 618 Reactor, 2x Vortech MP40w, APEX controller

09/21/2007, 10:35 PM	#6
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	I think the aquaclears would be cheaper, but the 10g better. The aquaclears will give you 1000 gph of flow which is nice cost you about $120 to setup both The sump, well you'd have to drill the 29g. 10g sump will be $10 Baffles will be another $20 Plumbing (bulkheads, pipes, hoses, glue, cutters) $40 Shop light with bulb $20 Return pump $70 (for a good quieter motel like the ehiem) You could go for the MJ 1200 option for $20 or so but it will only give you 150 gph or so after the head loss. Powerhead to give you the flow that the 2 aquaclears would $60 (for the Seio) total $220 ish not including cost to drill. IMO the sump would be way better but your really only going to get another 5g or so of volume with a 10g (since you have to leave room for back syphon. There is a 25g that has a similar footprint to the 10g that would be a bit more money and give you much much more volume, but that's not what you asked about and would add another $40 or so to the price. In my 20g long, I thought about the aquaclear option, but oped for a 20g sump. which is used as a 20g refugium. I'm happy with my choice. JMO __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

09/21/2007, 10:48 PM	#8
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	If you have a 29g standard it has a footprint of 30x12 no? A 20g long and a 37g tall have the same footprint. Seaclear makes a 25g tank that will fit under the 29g stand if you take a half inch off of each side of the back braces which is O.K. to do IME since the stand is also made to support the 44g tall which also has the 30x12 footprint. If your stuck on the 10g then ya I think the aquaclears are a better option for you. As far as the time invested into making a sump, IME it takes a few hours if you really know what your doing, so my first one took me a day (around 10 hours for everything). That time is made up in maintence IME. The Aqaclear is an easier option and depending on what you plan to keep may be just fine. A lot of this hobby is about what we can do, more then what we really need to do. I'm sure your tank will be great either way. JMO __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

09/22/2007, 01:00 AM	#11
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	Then I'd go with the HOB's myself. JMO. Best of Luck. Post pics when it's up. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

09/21/2007, 04:18 PM	#2
seastar12 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 245	I think the 10 gallon would be better, don't know about cheaper, though. Actually if you buy the aquaclears brand new, they might cost more than the 10 gallon sump.

09/21/2007, 07:44 PM	#4
crab0000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jasper,GA Posts: 2,801	Are you going to run a skimmer?

09/21/2007, 09:43 PM	#5
freshera07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 80	no im not using a skimmer...just a refugium and live rock as main filtration

09/21/2007, 10:42 PM	#7
freshera07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 80	Thanks for the opinions... alot of people have been telling me that 10g is not worth it since you only have 5g more. Well thats the only tank I could fit in my stand. Does a sump really matter to me since I could only fit 10g? Is it worth the time? I have always had this debate over a sump.

09/21/2007, 10:49 PM	#9
tripinpn01 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: oc Posts: 786	i would do the AC for convenience.

09/21/2007, 11:34 PM	#10
freshera07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 80	well if I make a sump I can install an auto top off system within the sump and don't need a strong pump to pump water up 5ft from the ground. I can use gravity to pump for ato since the sump is at ground level. Also making a refugium is also much easier, whereas with the aquaclears, I'll have to cut out stuff, look for a small impeller, and such. For me I think the sump is easier if I were to compare the two. The problem is I don't know if it is worth doing since my 10g is too small. I'm also worried about the noise since the tank is in th living room, I don't want my guests complaining about bathroom noise beside them. Oh yeah, all i know is that i'm sticking with the 10g if i were to go with a sump.

09/22/2007, 03:48 PM	#12
freshera07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 80	I think I'll just sump it because it makes the auto topoff much easier since I can just buy an air lifter instead of something much powerful to pump water upwards. Also I guess it'll make water changes much easier and less stressful to the fish and corals.