I am thinking of building a sump. My tank is a fowlr 50 gallon bow front. I was wondering if it makes sense to use the biggest tank I can fit in my cabinet, or should I keep it smaller relative to my tank size. I want to add water volume to my system and obviously better filtration. Currently I'm running a fluval canister filter and I'm struggling with high nitrates
Considering a sump
- Thread starter Kezhodge
- Start date
There is no penalty to a large sump other then your water changes will need to be bigger. (If you have a 50 gallon tank and do 5 gallon changes, you'll need to do 10 gallon changes in a 100 gallon for the same effect).
Personally, I would go with the absolute largest tank I can fit in the desired space. It would allow you to add a skimmer which can help with the nitrates, as well as additional water volume to the system to stabilize things and slow swings down.
Adding a sump by itself probably won't fix nitrate issues, unless the cannster filter you are replacing was the cause of it.
on the spot
Active member
Fish only, high nitrates. As much as I like more volume for all of the stated purposes, nutrient export will make/keep your tank more enjoyable. To that end instead of maximum volume you might consider a turf scrubber, or a sulfur reactor. limiting phosphates would likely be helpful too.
You can run all these things in a sump but it's easier and cleaner/drier outside the sump when you need to maintain them, or harvest as the case may be.
DIY is also in play for these things.
HTH
I don’t know the dimensions of your stand but u aren’t going to fit to big of a sump under the stand regardless. I wouldn’t think u can fit a 40 breeder so I would atleast shoot for a 20 L.
Keep in mind that u will only run the sump between 8 & 11” deep. So going with the longer 20L tank could actually give u more water volume & gives u more room for equipment then a 20H tank will. A 20L is 30” long, 12” wide & 12” deep. A 20H is only 24” long, 12” wide & 16” deep. So being u will only run the water level at a certain height the 20L actually gives u a few more gallons of water, but more importantly gives 6” more room in the sump.
Keep in mind that u need to have enough extra room in the sump for any water that drains down from the dt when u turn the return off. So if u use a 20H u could run it a couple inches deeper then u can a 20 L , so the water volume would be about even if u choose to do so. So the main advantages of the 20L would be the 6” of extra room & being easier to work in under the stand. The taller the sump the more difficult it is to access under the stand.
Keep in mind that u will only run the sump between 8 & 11” deep. So going with the longer 20L tank could actually give u more water volume & gives u more room for equipment then a 20H tank will. A 20L is 30” long, 12” wide & 12” deep. A 20H is only 24” long, 12” wide & 16” deep. So being u will only run the water level at a certain height the 20L actually gives u a few more gallons of water, but more importantly gives 6” more room in the sump.
Keep in mind that u need to have enough extra room in the sump for any water that drains down from the dt when u turn the return off. So if u use a 20H u could run it a couple inches deeper then u can a 20 L , so the water volume would be about even if u choose to do so. So the main advantages of the 20L would be the 6” of extra room & being easier to work in under the stand. The taller the sump the more difficult it is to access under the stand.
monkeysee1
Member
Yes! Go as big as you can! With a separate compartment to hold the filter sock as it flows through it and into the rest of your sump.
Preferably get a sump big enough to put your skimmer in!!!
Preferably get a sump big enough to put your skimmer in!!!
on the spot
Active member
billdogg
Well-known member
Sure - I'll just put it in the room behind the tank! Of course, that'll mean getting rid of the stove and dishwasher...........
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