Sump Sizing

[ClownsRCoo]

I have noticed that almost every tank in this thread that shows pictures or lists stats of their sump have very large sump tanks. I am planning a 225g build and was going to go with a 90g tank as the sump but after seeing the size sumps everyone else is using im starting to question that.

Is there a reason for that or just to get as high of a total volume as possible to keep it even more stable? When I started my 90g and was picking a sump I seemed to find a lot of people recommend a sump size of 1/3 of your display. Seems like that doesnt hold true for all of you large tank keepers.

What would you recommend for a 225G tank? Keep in mind my sump has to fit inside the stand with dimensions of 72x30x44. I dont have the option of adding a fish room or locating it anywhere else. I also would like to not have all of the stand be completely filled by sump tank. It becomes impossible to fit all of my other equipment in there when it takes up that much room.

Thanks,

 

[Robb in Austin]

I'm using a 75 for my 215 build. I'd recommend going as big as you can but there isn't any reason you can't use 20 long if all your stuff will fit and it will handle the overflow in the event of a power outage.

Make sure you have enough room under your stand to access the 90. The inside of my stand is 32" high but the door opening is about 27" high and accessing the sump is an exercise in being a contortionist. I have about 7" from the inside of the front edge of the stand and the front of the 75.

 

[cdmurphy]

I use a 40 gallon breeder on my 240 but I do recommend going as big as you can. I run an external skimmer and all the media reactors sit outside of the sump. My tank is full of SPS and I have a large bio load which is controlled by using biopellets and a large skimmer. If you're going to run a refugium, make that as large as you can and make sure you have good flow through it. I do believe that the greater the water volume you have in a system the more stable it will be but you don't need to have a huge sump to achieve the same results.

 

[ca1ore]

I think extra space is useful, either as a refugium, or as a place for unanticipated equipment. The only real downside is not ever using it, so pretty benign. Not necessary though. I use a 75 on my 265 and it suffices.

 

[fishguy597]

Like others stated as big as you can. Just make sure your sump will hold all the water in the event of a power outage from syphoning.