Hi, first of all i have no sump in my 120. I'm upgrading to a 180 and spose i'd better get one. The tank is gonna be a room divider and the sump can go underneath. I know nothing about sumps. Where can i learn more? Should i get the tank drilled. How do sumps work? They seem much more popular with you guys than in england.
sump size
- Thread starter silverfly
- Start date
billdogg
Well-known member
if you are upgrading froma 120 to a 180, i would use the 120! it's already paid for, and it will be to your benefit to have the biggest sump possible. you can section off part to use as a refugium, and still have a large area left.
I would drill the 180 for at least 2 x 1.5" bulkheads for drains. my 150 has 2 x 2" and 2 x 1" as the drains. because it is to be a room divider, you will probably also want to drill for the returns. Figure out what pump you are going to use, and drill them to fit. you may also consider a closed loop to avoid all the powerheads that not having one will require to achieve adequate flow throughout the tank. the sump itself can be drilled if you are going to use something like a dart pump, but you don't have to if you don't want. i would, just to leave as much room inside the sump as possible for skimmer/heaters/phoshpate & carbon reactors, etc....
there are a boatload of threads on here to help with the design
GOOD LUCK!!!
I would drill the 180 for at least 2 x 1.5" bulkheads for drains. my 150 has 2 x 2" and 2 x 1" as the drains. because it is to be a room divider, you will probably also want to drill for the returns. Figure out what pump you are going to use, and drill them to fit. you may also consider a closed loop to avoid all the powerheads that not having one will require to achieve adequate flow throughout the tank. the sump itself can be drilled if you are going to use something like a dart pump, but you don't have to if you don't want. i would, just to leave as much room inside the sump as possible for skimmer/heaters/phoshpate & carbon reactors, etc....
there are a boatload of threads on here to help with the design
GOOD LUCK!!!
spleify
Premium Member
I agree, drill the 180 and use the 120 if you can fit it underneath.
Check outMelevsreef.com he has a ton of great info on sumps.
HTH
Spleify
Check outMelevsreef.com he has a ton of great info on sumps.
HTH
Spleify
barrettrhoades
New member
I would recommend drilling the 120 for the sump. Since you have a large display, a decent sized external pump would be the way to go. With an external pump there is minimal heat input into your aquarium and you can get much more turnover with a larger pump. Definitely have your 180 drilled with overflow boxes. You should have 2 boxes for that large of a tank. I would prob go with 1.5 " bulkheads to maximize turnover.
