Sump size for a 425g 96x36x30 ??

j4mypets

j4mypets

New member
Starting beginning stages of planning this tank build. At lfs today and they have a 180g we can pick up for $360 delivered and moved into our basement. ( we live about 50 mins away). They also have a 125g. So question is.... Is a 180g overkill??? Curious what size sumps you all have on your large tanks. Thanks in advance!!
 
More is never a bad thing. If anything you can section part of it off to make a display refugium. The difficult part will be the depth. I think a 125 will be annoyingly narrow for large skimmers.
 
CrayolaViolence said:
More is never a bad thing. If anything you can section part of it off to make a display refugium. The difficult part will be the depth. I think a 125 will be annoyingly narrow for large skimmers.
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Thanks CrayolaViolence, I do agree that the 125g might be just too narrow. Go big or go home right?
 
For the sump I'm doing 60x25x24 on a 425 but that's what fits nicely into my fish room and still leaves room for an external fuge and frag tank. One consideration is the skimmer which was mentioned above which tend to be large for big tanks. I'm running an external skimmer so it's not a concern for me and all fits into the overall design I want.

If you can fit it and are handy enough to add in the baffles and misc nic nacs that make a nice sump, go for the bigger one!
 
King Jason said:
For the sump I'm doing 60x25x24 on a 425 but that's what fits nicely into my fish room and still leaves room for an external fuge and frag tank. One consideration is the skimmer which was mentioned above which tend to be large for big tanks. I'm running an external skimmer so it's not a concern for me and all fits into the overall design I want.

If you can fit it and are handy enough to add in the baffles and misc nic nacs that make a nice sump, go for the bigger one!
Click to expand...

Thanks King Jason, we will be running plumbing from display down to the basement so the skimmer having overhead room wont be a problem. My husband did the handy work on our previous sump with the baffles, so this will just give him more playing room:crazy1: Would love to see your build, have you purchased the 425 yet? If so where did you get it from? We are currently looking at customaquariums.com. I will be adding the low iron glass and upgrading to 3/4" glass.
 
j4mypets said:
Thanks King Jason, we will be running plumbing from display down to the basement so the skimmer having overhead room wont be a problem. My husband did the handy work on our previous sump with the baffles, so this will just give him more playing room:crazy1: Would love to see your build, have you purchased the 425 yet? If so where did you get it from? We are currently looking at customaquariums.com. I will be adding the low iron glass and upgrading to 3/4" glass.
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I'm still getting everything organized so my build thread would still be boring, but I'm going with A.G.E. (www.acrylicandglassexhibits.com). Custom Aquariums also makes nice tanks.
 
Go big.. My display is a 120, but I built a sump in the basement that holds everything, refugium, frag section, rocks.
My sump runs at about 18 inches water height, so 375 gallons+-.:crazy1:
 
scubadan206 said:
Go big.. My display is a 120, but I built a sump in the basement that holds everything, refugium, frag section, rocks.
My sump runs at about 18 inches water height, so 375 gallons+-.:crazy1:
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Scubadan206, I think I am definitely going to go with the 180, and it will also be in the basement. Is your DT on 1st floor? If so what return pump did you go with? I'm looking at the reeflo hammerhead/barracuda. I was told the Vectra L1 doesn't have enough head pressure. Any and all thoughts welcome
 
CrayolaViolence said:
Personally, I like pond pumps. They are tough, can handle crap getting into them, and they have a ton of head.
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Thanks, that's interesting because when we were at lfs yesterday they were running pool pumps and all last night my husband was researching it. Didn't even really think of pond pumps, same idea. Will look into it, thanks again!
 
What a difference between the 180g we had, jumping to this large of a tank. Plumbing being on a different level, needing to support flooring, building a steel frame stand, way more water storage, it goes on and on. SUPER EXCITED!! not for the $ part though LOL
I am definitely going to keep track to see what we will have invested when all is said and done, it will be interesting to know. We never did that with our 180g I just kinda guessed probably way off. Thinking of it, maybe its better we not know!!!
 
Yes the display is on the 1st floor. I have waveline DC 120000. It runs 3 reactors and pumps up 10 feet to the main tank. The non-throwaway upgrade will be an Abyzz 200. When I can budget for it.
 
scubadan206 said:
Yes the display is on the 1st floor. I have waveline DC 120000. It runs 3 reactors and pumps up 10 feet to the main tank. The non-throwaway upgrade will be an Abyzz 200. When I can budget for it.
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Thanks, I'm not familiar with either, but will research more.
 
j4mypets said:
Thanks, that's interesting because when we were at lfs yesterday they were running pool pumps and all last night my husband was researching it. Didn't even really think of pond pumps, same idea. Will look into it, thanks again!
Click to expand...

The really nice thing about them is that they cost about 1/10 the price of an "aquarium" pump. That way you can afford to buy two and keep the extra on hand for emergencies.

I think I paid 75.00 for the 13,000 GPH with like 18 feet of head. I had to dial it all the way down because it wanted to shoot the water out of the tank.

And honestly, for the price, they are reasonably quiet. The only time I ever hear mine is if one of my pipes touches the side of the tank and it will hum.
 
CrayolaViolence said:
The really nice thing about them is that they cost about 1/10 the price of an "aquarium" pump. That way you can afford to buy two and keep the extra on hand for emergencies.

I think I paid 75.00 for the 13,000 GPH with like 18 feet of head. I had to dial it all the way down because it wanted to shoot the water out of the tank.

And honestly, for the price, they are reasonably quiet. The only time I ever hear mine is if one of my pipes touches the side of the tank and it will hum.
Click to expand...

Great to know, if it works as good or better and is cheaper, at this point that makes me happy. Will definitely look into it. If I can save on a few things where the big costs are going to be huge, that's great!:bounce1:
 
Side note before we start this process, my husband doesn't think $300 for the 180g ( he will have to make mods on) is a good price. I originally posted it will be $365 with delivery and moving almost an hour away. Worth it? Thoughts??
 
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