What size sump is best for a 75rr?

ibyhousz · 03/08/2009, 07:49 PM

HI all,
I would love some feedback on what size sump to use for my 75rr. I'm still researching and planning. I do have a 75 gallon reef ready tank that will reside in my living room. The sump will be located directly underneath the tank in the laundry room (about 12-14' down. What are the min and max size sumps I should use and why? I would like to build a sump out of maybe an aquarium or what ever is recommended. I have been reading alot about sump designs on RC and melevsreef.com. Just not sure what size to go with.
Thanks guys!
Joel

kraze3 · 03/08/2009, 07:57 PM

I would go with as big a sump as possible. You could section it up and make a refugium which will be very benneficial also.

Crustman · 03/08/2009, 08:07 PM

You could just cram everything into the cabinet as I have. I think it holds about 20 gallons.

rc1626 · 03/08/2009, 08:10 PM

Have a similar setup w/ sump in basement and happened to have an extra old 75 gal. laying around. I used it and couldn't be happier. Not only does it up the total water capacity which will = better system stability but it will also give you room for a refugium (already mentioned), in sump skimmer, heaters, in sump return pump, etc.

It all comes down to how much room you have and the $$$ you're willing to spend.

HTH
Rob

Heavy Hittah · 03/08/2009, 08:11 PM

i have a 75(non rr) and a 30g underneath in the cabinet.

rc1626 · 03/08/2009, 08:22 PM

Sorry, missed pump size question. I've been told to go with a pump that will turnover your total volume 5-6x in an hour. Use a closed loop or power heads in your tank for extra flow. One reason I was told for running that turnover rate was so the skimmer could have more efficient contact time with the sump water (if skimmer is in sump). In addition to that, if your baffles are not set up correctly, increased flow could, I repeat could create micro bubbles.

Again HTH.
Rob

drparker · 03/08/2009, 08:54 PM

I've got a 30 in the stand under my tank because that's the largest I could fit. If I had a basement I'd go with a 40 breeder for the sump and a 30 breeder for the fuge.

Mike31154 · 03/08/2009, 10:50 PM

My 75 has been running sumpless for 2 years +, but I'm planning to set up a 90 with a basement sump in the not too distant future. I already have the 90 and a used 65 which will probably become the sump since I'll need to keep running the 75 until I get the 90 set up. Otherwise I may have used the 75 as a sump. Probably end up using that as a separate refugium once the livestock is transferred. That will more than double the total water volume.

One thing, with a lower level sump, 12-14' below the display, you'll want to look into a pressure rated return pump. You'll need a strong one to get adequate turnover with that amount of head pressure to overcome. That means a fair bit more power consumption than a sump in the stand below the display. I'm planning on mounting the basement sump as high as possible/practical to reduce the amount of head.

Saltliquid · 03/08/2009, 11:21 PM

Crustman,that is a lot of gear under there.

For any space prob tank i would say to build a two layered plenum style denitrater with the third layer an algae scrubber.

all gravity feed and very,very good water quality.

Natural and all you need to do is prefilter and use scissors once a week on the scrubber and you are laughing.

mikid · 03/08/2009, 11:23 PM

ive got a 75g aga with 30g aga sump with a mag 9.5 return,that works good for me,it will for you to......................

ibyhousz · 03/09/2009, 07:51 AM

okay guys I found a 45 long that I can get tody for about $30. Seems like that will work fine for my application (75rr with basement sump). Please let me know if you have any additional input. Thanks for all the great advice!

pimpinitup6969 · 03/09/2009, 10:34 AM

if your going a sump in the basement i would def go as big as possible! reason being if you ever decide to upgrade to anything bigger than a 75 you will still be all set! and the extra water volume will be nice!

03/08/2009, 07:49 PM	#1
ibyhousz Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Irondequoit Posts: 55	What size sump is best for a 75rr? HI all, I would love some feedback on what size sump to use for my 75rr. I'm still researching and planning. I do have a 75 gallon reef ready tank that will reside in my living room. The sump will be located directly underneath the tank in the laundry room (about 12-14' down. What are the min and max size sumps I should use and why? I would like to build a sump out of maybe an aquarium or what ever is recommended. I have been reading alot about sump designs on RC and melevsreef.com. Just not sure what size to go with. Thanks guys! Joel

03/08/2009, 08:07 PM	#3
Crustman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 941	You could just cram everything into the cabinet as I have. I think it holds about 20 gallons. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: 65 gallon reef with 8 T-5's, ATI Blue Plus, Blue Special, KZ Fiji Purple, Vertex IN 100, phosphate and carbon reactor Coralife Turbo Sea Pump

03/08/2009, 08:11 PM	#5
Heavy Hittah Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Columbia,SC Posts: 177	i have a 75(non rr) and a 30g underneath in the cabinet. __________________ THANX IN ADVANCE, Ty Current Tank Info: 75 gallon tank, DIY Stand, 20long sump, 29g reef, 10g nano

03/08/2009, 10:50 PM	#8
Mike31154 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,555	My 75 has been running sumpless for 2 years +, but I'm planning to set up a 90 with a basement sump in the not too distant future. I already have the 90 and a used 65 which will probably become the sump since I'll need to keep running the 75 until I get the 90 set up. Otherwise I may have used the 75 as a sump. Probably end up using that as a separate refugium once the livestock is transferred. That will more than double the total water volume. One thing, with a lower level sump, 12-14' below the display, you'll want to look into a pressure rated return pump. You'll need a strong one to get adequate turnover with that amount of head pressure to overcome. That means a fair bit more power consumption than a sump in the stand below the display. I'm planning on mounting the basement sump as high as possible/practical to reduce the amount of head. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 77g sumpless sw with rock, sand, a few critters, fishes & polyps. Lights, pumps.....

03/08/2009, 11:21 PM	#9
Saltliquid Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 911	sump Crustman,that is a lot of gear under there. For any space prob tank i would say to build a two layered plenum style denitrater with the third layer an algae scrubber. all gravity feed and very,very good water quality. Natural and all you need to do is prefilter and use scissors once a week on the scrubber and you are laughing.

03/08/2009, 07:57 PM	#2
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	I would go with as big a sump as possible. You could section it up and make a refugium which will be very benneficial also.

03/08/2009, 08:10 PM	#4
rc1626 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long Island Posts: 451	Have a similar setup w/ sump in basement and happened to have an extra old 75 gal. laying around. I used it and couldn't be happier. Not only does it up the total water capacity which will = better system stability but it will also give you room for a refugium (already mentioned), in sump skimmer, heaters, in sump return pump, etc. It all comes down to how much room you have and the $$$ you're willing to spend. HTH Rob

03/08/2009, 08:22 PM	#6
rc1626 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Long Island Posts: 451	Sorry, missed pump size question. I've been told to go with a pump that will turnover your total volume 5-6x in an hour. Use a closed loop or power heads in your tank for extra flow. One reason I was told for running that turnover rate was so the skimmer could have more efficient contact time with the sump water (if skimmer is in sump). In addition to that, if your baffles are not set up correctly, increased flow could, I repeat could create micro bubbles. Again HTH. Rob

03/08/2009, 08:54 PM	#7
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	I've got a 30 in the stand under my tank because that's the largest I could fit. If I had a basement I'd go with a 40 breeder for the sump and a 30 breeder for the fuge.

03/08/2009, 11:23 PM	#10
mikid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: fair oaks,california Posts: 1,767	pump ive got a 75g aga with 30g aga sump with a mag 9.5 return,that works good for me,it will for you to...................... __________________ Mike Dickenson....Marine Aquarist Roundtable of Sacramento, Co-Founder Current Tank Info: 187 Gal Display/125 Gal sump/Reefkeeper Elite/Rw20s/Leds

03/09/2009, 07:51 AM	#11
ibyhousz Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Irondequoit Posts: 55	okay guys I found a 45 long that I can get tody for about $30. Seems like that will work fine for my application (75rr with basement sump). Please let me know if you have any additional input. Thanks for all the great advice!

03/09/2009, 10:34 AM	#12
pimpinitup6969 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Elmira, Ny Posts: 2,503	if your going a sump in the basement i would def go as big as possible! reason being if you ever decide to upgrade to anything bigger than a 75 you will still be all set! and the extra water volume will be nice! __________________ I'd rather burp and taste it than fart and waste it! Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon, 150 Gallon