Questions about a 180

[Brad21]

Hey guys, looking for some advice. Been researching for a 180 gallon aquarium. Gone to different local fish stores, and one place is saying you can get away without having a sump system with no problem and the other said the complete opposite, that you absolutely should have a sump system!

Can you experts please advise a newbie! Not looking to rush, want to take every step precisely! :fish1:

 

[Zer0.]

although it's not absolutly required I would definitely recommend one. I have a 180 and I just had one made out a 40breeder it was cheap, like $70 bucks

 

[whosurcaddie]

Its much easier running a system that large with a sump. Saying that, it can be done without a sump, would I recommend it no. With a sump you can have much better equipment. Also a larger total system volume which will help with keeping water parameters more stable. The equipment like skimmers and reactors that can be put in a sump are almost always better than versions that hang on the back.

Another advantage is customization. You can have multiple chambers in a sump giving you the ability to have a refugium for macro algae. Not to mention a cleaner look in the display because you wont have tubes and heaters and bubbles splashing from a skimmer return.

My advice find a pre drilled 180 and research what you want in a sump. Research dimensions and find what will fit under your stand. Try to have at least three chambers in the sump.

Good luck.

 

[JoelA7]

IMO a huge benefit of the sump is that you can put the skimmer in it.

 

[Brad21]

Wow, a lot of great information. Thank you for that. This is what I'm struggling with as to what I want in the sump and why, although I did just start reading last night about sump systems. Overwhelming!

 

[kw22]

I would recommend a simp between 40-100 gallons for your tank.They are a great benefit.

 

[Brad21]

Thanks guys. I'm working on figuring out which setup I think is best for a FOWLR aquarium. Can't wait to see this thing up and running while hopefully relieving some stress with it!

 

[shesacharmer]

Regardless of volume if I was planning my own sump (mine came with my system) I would want 4 sections. One section for the socks and standpipe, one for the refugium, one for the skimmer and one for the return pump. Mine only came with three and fitting the return pump and skimmer into one section has been a major hassle.

 

[E46Twist]

Do you need one? Not at all, but we are all going to tell you you should get one for a few very good reasons. First of it allows you to consolidate all of your equipment into one area, which also makes the tank look much better. Second it allows you to run better equipment (some HOB stuff is okay) like a skimmer. Third it allows you to have a fuge which is a great way to export nutrients naturally. Unless you use a 40 or 55 gal the increase in tank volume isn't going to be substantial considering most of us run a sump 1/2 - 3/4 full. If decide to do one I would advise at least drilling the holes for the drains, returns can be plumbed over the top. However if you are really not liking the idea off all of this, since your tank is rather large you could certainly get by without one.

 

[ca1ore]

Gone to different local fish stores, and one place is saying you can get away without having a sump system with no problem and the other said the complete opposite, that you absolutely should have a sump system!

Well, those statements are not mutually exclusive. Yes, you SHOULD have a sump, but you CAN run a tank without one. The advantages of having a sump are numerous, with unsurpassed surface skimming as the most important one, but convenience, ATO, place to keep stuff, etc., are also benefits. Having run tanks both with and without, I would never not have a sump. If there are good reasons to not have one, then that should not prevent you from setting up your tank, though you may want to do it in such a way that a sump can be easily and effectively added later one. Sump should be no smaller than 25% of the display size.

 

[Zer0.]

my sump is alittle small for my system but it works great and allows me to also fit my freshwater ATO resevoir and other goodies under the stand as well. I have 3 sections each seperated by a bubble trap. 1 section the drains drain into and houses my Skimmer and heater, 1 section is filled with rock rubble and macro algae and has a light above it that runs opposite times as my main tank main lights, last section houses my return pump and is where my ATO sensor is attached.

Just make sure that you leave enough room for any back siphon from the main display to go into when your return pump turns off. (mine is only 40 gallon sump but still easily accomplishes this by having the return outlets located near the surface water level)