Sump for a 29g Biocube

wileycoyote · 09/15/2013, 10:36 PM

Hello! I have been out of the hobby for about 6 years due to moving. I had a 120g setup where I propogated Xenia for about 5 years and loved it. due to space issues, I went with a 29g Biocube to start back up. After having some temp issues and not wanting to buy a chiller, I modified it to remove the lid and hung a ecotech LED light above it. Temps are good now. I want to keep a lot of SPS and other corals in it with a couple of fish. So the question is, could I put a 55 gallon sump on a 29 gallon tank? and if so, how should I set the sump up? I have more room in the floor behind the tank to put a sump than I have space where the tank goes. I know sounds weird but that is how it is. Thanks in advance for any advice.

thegrun · 09/16/2013, 07:58 AM

While you don't see a sump/refugium bigger than the display often due to space limitations, it is a good thing to have if your room allows for it. The added volume leads to stability which is very important for SPS coral and allows you have a larger bio-load in the display.

wileycoyote · 09/16/2013, 08:43 AM

Thanks Thegrun. That is what I was thinking, but I never see a sump larger than the main tank. Any suggestions on what to keep in the sump for SPS in the main tank?

thegrun · 09/16/2013, 09:34 AM

I like to keep live rock and chaeto or other macro algae in the refugium section. A deep sand bed is another possibility.

wileycoyote · 09/16/2013, 09:59 PM

I ordered some chaeto today for the refugium. I need to do some research on sand beds vs mud because I also ordered some mangroves. Really want something to eat up the nitrates. As far as live rock goes, do you need special lighting on it in the sump or does it do OK in the dark?

09/15/2013, 10:36 PM	#1
wileycoyote Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3	Sump for a 29g Biocube Hello! I have been out of the hobby for about 6 years due to moving. I had a 120g setup where I propogated Xenia for about 5 years and loved it. due to space issues, I went with a 29g Biocube to start back up. After having some temp issues and not wanting to buy a chiller, I modified it to remove the lid and hung a ecotech LED light above it. Temps are good now. I want to keep a lot of SPS and other corals in it with a couple of fish. So the question is, could I put a 55 gallon sump on a 29 gallon tank? and if so, how should I set the sump up? I have more room in the floor behind the tank to put a sump than I have space where the tank goes. I know sounds weird but that is how it is. Thanks in advance for any advice.

09/16/2013, 07:58 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	While you don't see a sump/refugium bigger than the display often due to space limitations, it is a good thing to have if your room allows for it. The added volume leads to stability which is very important for SPS coral and allows you have a larger bio-load in the display.

09/16/2013, 08:43 AM	#3
wileycoyote Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3	Thanks Thegrun. That is what I was thinking, but I never see a sump larger than the main tank. Any suggestions on what to keep in the sump for SPS in the main tank?

09/16/2013, 09:34 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I like to keep live rock and chaeto or other macro algae in the refugium section. A deep sand bed is another possibility.

09/16/2013, 09:59 PM	#5
wileycoyote Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3	I ordered some chaeto today for the refugium. I need to do some research on sand beds vs mud because I also ordered some mangroves. Really want something to eat up the nitrates. As far as live rock goes, do you need special lighting on it in the sump or does it do OK in the dark?