Sump and refugium Help
- Thread starter Dunamis
- Start date
If space is not a factor, If I could do a 110 gallon Display, I would get a sump as big as you could, maybe a 80-100g
This would leave you open to options.
If you custom your sump, allow space for refugium, even if you didn't use it, you could place reactors, extra filter medias like (marinepure blocks) etc etc or a 'jail chamber' for the bullies in your DT.
I'm sure the pros will give you tons of advise.
reefteaser
Convince'em or confuse'em
As with most things in his hobby, how much $$ do you want to spend? You could DYI a 30 gal tank from Petsmart when they run their "dollar a gallon" sale every few months (my first sump) on the low end. Some acrylic baffles, PVC, and silicone, and the whole thing was well under $100 and worked very well.
That now sits in my closet after splurging on a Trigger Systems Emerald 39 and a matching ATO reservoir. Expensive, but very well made and beautiful. Honestly, I often take the front cover off my stand because what's underneath is almost as nice as on top!
That now sits in my closet after splurging on a Trigger Systems Emerald 39 and a matching ATO reservoir. Expensive, but very well made and beautiful. Honestly, I often take the front cover off my stand because what's underneath is almost as nice as on top!
fasteddie68
New member
I think it boils down to how much effort and $$$ you want to spend. A well made acrylic sump won't be cheap but it can be plug and play. Someone else has figured out the refugia space, chem chamber, bubble traps, etc. All you need to do drop in a skimmer and you can quickly be in business.
On the other hand, you can go get a used 55 gallon tank for a song and build out all of the above with some silicon, egg crate and spare plastic. It's not hard at all but will take an afternoon or two.
My sump is a DIY made of plywood with pond liner. It's gigantic which is exactly the way I want it. Everything fits inside it with room to spare. This allows me to increase the total water capacity of the system which in theory makes it a more stable system.
That said, on occasion I do think about switching it out for a cool acrylic colored one as the plywood certainly doesn't look very cutting edge and has earned me more than one raised eyebrow when I show it to guests!
On the other hand, you can go get a used 55 gallon tank for a song and build out all of the above with some silicon, egg crate and spare plastic. It's not hard at all but will take an afternoon or two.
My sump is a DIY made of plywood with pond liner. It's gigantic which is exactly the way I want it. Everything fits inside it with room to spare. This allows me to increase the total water capacity of the system which in theory makes it a more stable system.
That said, on occasion I do think about switching it out for a cool acrylic colored one as the plywood certainly doesn't look very cutting edge and has earned me more than one raised eyebrow when I show it to guests!
scubadan206
Member
How big is your sump? I built a plywood sump in the basement and waterproofed it with 2 part epoxy [pond shield].
My sump is 8x4x30 inches 375 gallons+- With my 120 display it brings it to just under 500 gallons.
A large water volume is one of the best ways to add stability in water chemistry and biological filtration capacity.
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