He's not dead yet!

[AquaEscape]

I recently bought a used 110 gal tank. It's a DAS flat hex tank with a modified overflow. Unfortunately the gentleman who owned the tank passed away, and his neighbor bought it from the widow. From what I heard, the tank was beautiful before it was broken down and parted out. I got the glass and the stand, while others got the skimmer, lights, livestock, and sump.

I'm just getting started, but I wanna do this right, and potentially honor this guys memory through the tank. My question is regarding the sump. I want to build using a 40 breeder with 3 sections in the order as follows: skimmer>return>fuge, with a low flow line from the return supplying the fuge.
So, first things first. What skimmers would you guys recommend? Bermuda? reef octopus? There's only 2' 4" of height inside inside the stand, so this thing might need to be squatty. I need to look up the skimmer's footprints in order to determine the placement of each sump baffle before I build. I'd like to use a large, macro filled fuge. Also, low budget would be ideal, but I'm no stranger to saving my money if necessary. Care to brainstorm? Thanks for your help!

 

[MondoBongo]

a 40 breeder won't work as a sump. it is the same width as the 110 above it, which means it won't fit in the stand. you would need something less than 18" wide to be able to sit inside the stand.

 

[Sk8r]

If you can site the sump in your basement, you could do it. If you have a basement. That gives you room for everything and takes only a little easily fixed couple of holes.

For a skimmer, get one rated for 2x the tank water volume.

 

[AquaEscape]

a 40 breeder won't work as a sump. it is the same width as the 110 above it, which means it won't fit in the stand. you would need something less than 18" wide to be able to sit inside the stand.

Sorry about the confusion, but the 40 will fit... Just barely. I forgot to state the dimensions. The tank's footprint is 4ft wide, and 20in front to back with some room missing because of the hex cutouts.

 

[AquaEscape]

So despite its ability to fit, very cramped I might add, is the 40 unreasonably large to use as a sump and a fuge? Perhaps bigger is not always better? I'd just like a proper amount of nutrient export in the tank.

 

[A sea K]

So despite its ability to fit, very cramped I might add, is the 40 unreasonably large to use as a sump and a fuge? Perhaps bigger is not always better? I'd just like a proper amount of nutrient export in the tank.

No not at all and IMO when it comes to sumps, bigger is indeed better. It's amazing how little room is left once you baffle out for your skimmer and return section.

 

[MondoBongo]

Oh awesome. That is different than a standard dimension 110. A 40 would be nice then.

My general rule with sumps is that they can never be too big. I already have pie in the sky plans for my next house to use a 300 gallon livestock tub as a remote sump.

 

[AquaEscape]

That's quite the plan! The solution to pollution is dilution, after all.
If only I had the cash for all that live rock. I'm having trouble finding 200 lbs. I hope I can find the right skimmer to allow for a large fuge and return box.