Newbie jumping into the deep end - Reef 425 XL - handful of questions

[reefkaos]

As the title says, newbie building my first system. Geek by nature, so looking to mix my new hobby with my old - hence my desire for automation and controllers.

My tank choice is a Reefer 425 XL due to its rimless design and length - perfectly fits into my desired location.

I am able to easily put my sump right underneath the tank in the basement, where I have easy access to water for an RO/DI setup with holding tanks for a mixing station as well as drains.

My biggest question - because I am moving the sump into the basement, would you ditch the sump that comes with the Reefer or use it. Is there a way to buy another sump and leverage the one that comes with it and the second sump?

Thoughts on best sump setup?

Rest of my plans are to build automated ATO on RO/DI storage and ATO for tank (with all of the proper safeguards).

Eventually then automating water changes, etc.

Thoughts!!!

 

[TroyHoot]

The sump is pretty small. If your going to spend that much and swap out the sump anyway. Why not just buy everything individual?

If you are set on the 425XL then yes you can add another sump beside it and plumb them together fairly easy. More volume the better. you will need a stronger return pump for all your head pressure also.

 

[reefkaos]

Thanks... planning on larger pump for sure. Would you recommend larger sump and disregard smaller sump, or buy another medium size sump and plumb them. How would I plumb them, just drill acrylic?

Perhaps use one for skimmer and other for refugium?

 

[TroyHoot]

Others with more experience hopefully will chime in. But i would just add another and use both. You can drill both and use bulkheads and some pipe to connect. Or set one higher and have it gravity feed into the other one. Multiple ways to do it. You can set one up as a refugium and use the other for you filters and skimmer.