Is this a good sump?

[CTaylor]

Hi,

I currently have a 65 gallon reef. The sump I have has a tiny refugium, I just need something better and larger for a 'fuge. I might want to upgrade to a 120 gallon tank. So, I would want something that can be used for a tank that large.
I don't really know all the bells and whistles to look for.

The sump I'm looking at is Elite Aquatics RS40 Reef Sump:
http://premiumaquatics.com/products/elite-aquatics-rs40-reef-sump.html

It's 40" long x 16" wide, x 15" high. Holds 36 gallons. It seems to have a large area for refugium. Though I'm not 100% sure that a fuge can take up that space.
Any comments on this? I like it also because it's on sale :-D

Thanks

 

[maddmaxx]

Hi,

I currently have a 65 gallon reef. The sump I have has a tiny refugium, I just need something better and larger for a 'fuge. I might want to upgrade to a 120 gallon tank. So, I would want something that can be used for a tank that large.
I don't really know all the bells and whistles to look for.

The sump I'm looking at is Elite Aquatics RS40 Reef Sump:
http://premiumaquatics.com/products/elite-aquatics-rs40-reef-sump.html

It's 40" long x 16" wide, x 15" high. Holds 36 gallons. It seems to have a large area for refugium. Though I'm not 100% sure that a fuge can take up that space.
Any comments on this? I like it also because it's on sale :-D

Thanks

that space in the middle of that sump is for a skimmer not a fuge. so if you turn it into a fuge section. you will need an external skimmer if you want a skimmer....

 

[Jeff210]

that space in the middle of that sump is for a skimmer not a fuge. so if you turn it into a fuge section. you will need an external skimmer if you want a skimmer....

Agreed...external skimmer would be required if you wanted to run a fuge - this is a Berlin style sump...

 

[CTaylor]

Then which sump should I get that would have a space for a descent sized refugiium? I'm seeing now that that sump I linked to has a big area just for water return and such large area for the skimmer. I seen one by MRC:

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/my-reef-creations-36-reef-sump

Or this trigger one:
http://premiumaquatics.com/products/trigger-systems-ruby-elite-sump-36x18x15.html <<-- much less $$ esp with 16% off sale

Something like that looks great to me. Not sure if that size can handle a 120 gallon tank though (?). And it seems these two have both refugium and skimmer sections. And it's not on sale for black friday week as far as I know lol.

Any ideas on those sumps? or something similar?

thanks again!

 

[maddmaxx]

no to the first option. and the second option you may not be able to put sand in the fuge if you wanted to. looks like theres an open space right near that black sponge. so sand would get all around that sponge and be a hassle to deal wit...

question. why dont you consider making your own sump and baffles...

a very very common sump is a 40 Breeder tank with acrylic baffles. you can get the tank from petco during dollar per gallon sale and have the entire sump set up how you want and under $100??

 

[CTaylor]

I think the space in the back of the second sump is where the fuge would be. I don't think it's blocked by the sponge. I just saw a youtube video on it, it looks like it's fed in parallel to the baffle section in front of the it (the fuge).

If I can get it for $365, and if it's big enough for a 120, then it's not barely worth my time to build it. That will take a while, especially knowing me lol. I see it as taking time from work.

 

[ct3737]

Sure