Need a sump

[Malexander]

Hi! I have a Marineland 56 Gallon tank from Petsmart. I have had it modified and added an overflow box to the back. I'll attach pictures below. I am look for a good sump fairly inexpensive. I would like to house a few deep water angels and an Juvenile Emperor Angel (yes I know they get large, I will be upgrading when the time comes). Any advice would be helpful. Where can I buy the sump? Which brand? What will I need? Etc. Also if you can offer an approximate price that would help. This hobby can get extremely expensive...

 

[Kizzy911]

just get a custom sump and build it by yourself, its fairly easy.
Measure your stand space and find a sump that fits under and make sure you have enough space Height wise to move around. Then just make the baffles yourself.
Go to your local hardware store; tell them to cut you pieces of acrylic that are whatever dimensions and just grab silicone at your local hardware store also, and silicone it; let it dry for a couple of days and do a water test for a week.

Try craigslist for tanks that are the right dimensions: so you get it cheaper
the silicone is inexpensive, make sure it can be used for an aquarium

hope this helps

 

[Coelli]

All of the above but it's better to use glass (1/4", or 3/32" 'double pane' if you can't get 1/4". Acrylic baffles can swell and crack the glass. Yes, lots of people do it, yada yada yada but you don't want to be the one where it fails. Just get glass and avoid any potential problems.

 

[gone fishin]

Glass also adheres better with the silicone than the acrylic.

 

[hotelbravo]

i agree with making your own. i spend MAYBE 30$ making my sump from a 30 gallon tank. there are many DIY guides on sumps in the DIY section of this forum.

 

[Malexander]

Thank you all! What are the baffles used for? Will I need bio balls or a top? Am I attempting to recreate one of the store bought filters?

 

[toothybugs]

If you're going to upgrade "when the time comes" why not do it now (especially if you can), use the 56 as a 'fuge, and make a 75 or something a sump for a 180 or bigger? Have the 56 drain in to the return section of your sump. It's easier to add rock to a big tank than to have to transfer everything over later.

 

[Malexander]

Unfortunately now is not the time for the upgrade. I would like to get the one I have up and running.

 

[Irishman360]

I had trouble finding glass to use for my aquarium. I bought an aquarium to use for the sump and an extra one to break down and use the glass from that. I went to my LFS to buy silicon glue to put the baffles up. Cost maybe $50 of you get the $1 per gallon sale at Petco/ Petsmart.

http://gmacreef.com/reef-aquarium-sump-tank-design/

Helped me out a lot if your doing custom one

 

[jaybfresh]

Most important: Don't get the angelfish. Upgrade and then get one if you want, but there are so many fish to pick from that will be suitable for your tank.

Secondly, here's a great sump primer: http://www.melevsreef.com/node/710

Using an old tank and getting baffles cut by a local glass shop is definitely the way to go. You will be well under $100 going this route.

 

[Foooz]

Just finished my 55 gallon sump. Just over $100 in it including glass baffles and silicone.

 

[billdogg]

Most important: Don't get the angelfish. Upgrade and then get one if you want, but there are so many fish to pick from that will be suitable for your tank.

Secondly, here's a great sump primer: http://www.melevsreef.com/node/710

Using an old tank and getting baffles cut by a local glass shop is definitely the way to go. You will be well under $100 going this route.

Just finished my 55 gallon sump. Just over $100 in it including glass baffles and silicone.

What both of them said. Measure the available space, then go to petco $1/g sale and get something that fits, have a local glass shop cut 1/4" baffles and do it yourself. Cheap, easy, and you did it yourself!

 

[Saltine]

Thank you all! What are the baffles used for? Will I need bio balls or a top? Am I attempting to recreate one of the store bought filters?

Baffles are there to separate the different sections of a sump and you will normally have bubble traps in there (Several baffles at different heights close together). Get a cheap tank from petco, measure glass using someone's sump plan for that same size tank off google, go to Lowe's and get the glass you need, they will cut it for you there, careful with the edges. I did a poor job of sanding before installation and now frequently cut my and on the edges moving things around in the sump.

PS I'd get the fish you want, everyone in this hobby has different results with live stock and equipment.

Salt.