How to set up a sump for my 180 gallon aquarium

[djallen252]

Hey guys this is my first big build and my first time using a sump. I recently purchased a 180 gallon all glass tank (used) and I am looking to build this setup right. Any advice on the complete setup is appreciated but my main concern right now is setting up the right sump. I want to use a 55 gallon sump but I am clueless on where to place the baffles and where to place the skimmer and heaters, and what I can and cannot put in my fuge. Also what type of skimmer and pumps to get and how I should run my plumbing.

 

[rjjr1963]

Are you going to use any kind of mechanical filtration in the sump?

 

[BrianKC]

Your 2012 counterpart had a good thread I found:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2210258

 

[gone fishin]

Hey guys this is my first big build and my first time using a sump. I recently purchased a 180 gallon all glass tank (used) and I am looking to build this setup right. Any advice on the complete setup is appreciated but my main concern right now is setting up the right sump. I want to use a 55 gallon sump but I am clueless on where to place the baffles and where to place the skimmer and heaters, and what I can and cannot put in my fuge. Also what type of skimmer and pumps to get and how I should run my plumbing.

I would suggest not using the 55g. I have a 55 and if I had it to do over I would have gone with a 75g or anything other than the 55. The narrowness of it is just a big headache. Pay extra attention to your skimmer dimensions. I had to cut some of the top trim on the 55 so I can get my skimmer in to it. Good luck

 

[BrianKC]

I would suggest not using the 55g. I have a 55 and if I had it to do over I would have gone with a 75g or anything other than the 55. The narrowness of it is just a big headache. Pay extra attention to your skimmer dimensions. I had to cut some of the top trim on the 55 so I can get my skimmer in to it. Good luck

I wondered the same thing. I have an old 55 sitting in my basement and I just walked by it and thought both the narrowness and the height might be troublesome.

 

[gone fishin]

I already had the 55g and figured save a few bucks. This without a doubt will be a do over if I ever get the chance.

 

[BrianKC]

I already had the 55g and figured save a few bucks. This without a doubt will be a do over if I ever get the chance.

Starting with the 55 is totally reasonable. Only throw-away expense is the glass and silicone you use for the baffles. The only caveat is to ensure you can get it back out of the stand. I had a 180 once upon a time and the sump I put in didn't fit thru the doors. I dropped it in from the top before placing the tank and didn't even think twice. About a year later I realized I had no way to get the sump out without taking the tank off the stand.

 

[gone fishin]

I don't have to worry about the stand. The utility room is behind my fish room and the sump, RO/DI, ATO and mix barrel is in there.