best sump/refugium?

[rjmayes34]

so ive been putting it off for a while and now its time to buy a sump/refugium and get rid of my little hang on back refugium i have.
The sump im using now is a 30 i believe-30"long,12"wide and 19" deep.
Id like to get something in the 36"long x 14-15" wide and no more than 16" tall. So it would be a little shorter/easier to work in, and a little longer so i have more room and makes up for the difference in height with water capacity. I have a 120 long(60"x18"x25.5")
What is the best set up? Im looking to spend under $350

what do you guys think of this one from ebay?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...865285&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_4613wt_905

Its is a great price but im not sure, too good to be true?
Any LFS in rochester or buffalo that make them for around that price,prefer to keep my money local and im in the middle of both?

Any suggestions or input would be great!!
Hoping to get sooner than later,I won $500 on a scratch off two days ago so im getting a real sump/refugium with part of my winnings!!!

 

[IronMan72]

Look into a 30G breeder. I think it's just what you're looking for.

 

[EllieSuz]

Millie at Caribbean Forest makes beautiful acryllic sumps to your specifications. I've had two of them, including the one I'm using now. I don't know about her prices, but when you add in the shipping on the eBay one, it's pretty expensive. Millie will make one exactly the size and compartment specs you desire. Give them a call at 585 342-5510 for an estimate.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I vote for buying a standard tank, closest to your desired dimensions (under $100). Have some pieces of glass cut for baffles (probably under $40-50). Seal them into place yourself (aquarium grade silicone $5-10). If you need to drill it, get a bit on Bulk Reef Supply ($10-15), bulkheads ($5-10).

It's a cheap, easy project that can easily be done for well under $150-200 if you pay retail on all the components listed above. Get a used tank, pick up a bulkhead that someone has laying around, borrow a glass hole bit etc and you're under a hundie.

I'm quite sure any one of the guys at ARC are handy enough to knock one out for you for WAY under $350. Leaves a lot more cheddar in your pocket for more scratch offs! :celeb3:

 

[rjmayes34]

yeah, im going to call around. Id rather have someone else do it and get a good looking sump. But it dosent sound to hard to do it myself..... decisions....decisions
and mo cheddar is better!!!!

 

[pascal32]

Second make your own!

As a tip keep in mind that the sump needs to take in the water when the retune pump goes out. I use a 40 breeder which can take the water, but barely.

 

[Tonynlo]

A sump doesn't need to be fancy to be effective. I'm probably one of the least handy people of URS and was able to pull off a functional sump within a couple of hours using a glass tank and a few pieces of cut glass.

 

[iamwrasseman]

i would build one out of a 30 breeder . you can do some custom sized compartments and its soooooooooo much cheaper . nice DIY project thats pretty easy too .

 

[doublenerds]

I didn't build my own...too lazy. I bought the Aqueon model 4.

I am wondering if the return chamber of the sump you pictured from ebay is a little bit small? I am not even remotely an expert but all the conventional advice says to make the return as large as you possibly can?

 

[tekim]

+1 on DIY - it is really easier then you think, as long as the sump fits into the location you have planed for, the rest is just simple plumbing work. Do not fear, you can do it!

 

[childofgod]

DIY is the way to go, here is the one I just finished for under a $100.00.

 

[TrishW]

I didn't build my own...too lazy. I bought the Aqueon model 4.

I am wondering if the return chamber of the sump you pictured from ebay is a little bit small? I am not even remotely an expert but all the conventional advice says to make the return as large as you possibly can?

Hey Double, what is the volume of your model 4? And what size tank do you have?

 

[block head]

don't know if your still interested? CF has 2 acrylic sumps for 75 each . new with cometic flaws in the seam.

 

[rjmayes34]

thanks for the heads up. I have yet to get or make a sump. For that kinda price its worth it!! I was their today browsing, didnt even look that direction. Ill be back in their this weekend so ill have to def check that out!

 

[Tonynlo]

My first sump was from Millie. I paid something like $275 for it. Definitely a great discount for a couple of blemishes.

 

[Johnny C]

I wouldn't recommend a 30BR; it's only 12'' high and I doubt that would be enough volume to hold the runoff of a 120G display in the event of a power failure. IMO- Go for a 40BR.

PS- If you decide to go with a fancy-shmancy prefabricated sump, I highly recommend John at Advance Acrylics (adv.acrylics@yahoo.com). Here's my old sump he made back last year... didn't pay much more than the one you linked.

 

[gmneil]

are you exact on your sizes because a 40b dimensions are 36 inches long by 18 inches deep by 17 inches high

and you can silicone in some baffles and all for way under the price you listed

 

[rjmayes34]

the 18" deep is the problem their, id go up to 17" at the tallest. My 120 is the 120 long (60x18x25.5) so i only have about a quarter inch under 5" to spare. So i have 17 3/4th" of space. The 36" and the 17" part of a 40b would be great though!!!
thanks for the tips!!!

 

[rjmayes34]

BLOCK HEAD- Thanks for the heads up When i went to CF to get my Lawnmower Blenny I bought a sump. What a deal!!!!!and i dont care about a lil cosmetic flaw, its going under the tank to only be seen by me(and its not that bad)
Im excited about setting it up,after our baby is born im goin to do it. So probally in about two to three weeks or so.
Its 38" long, almost 16" wide and 15" tall (AKA-PERFECT) two big sock holders built in!! Nice big skimmer,refugium and return sections! I walked out feeling like i robbed the joint
Now to get new bulbs and im set equipment wise for a while, or at least until i break down and get a controller