sump, now or later?

[cordell]

I'm wondering if I should go ahead and setup and do all the plumbing and rigging for my sump now when I am initially setting up the tank (when I may not be able to afford it right now) or can I do it later once the tank has cycled and I only have ls and lv? I'm gonna have to use a HOB overflow so I'm looking around for a good one. If it would be best to do it now, as to benefit the bacterial spread(?) or water volume, then maybe I can go ahead and do it. Either way, I will probably go ahead and buy whatever kind of tank/container that I plan to use for the sump and put it down into the stand before I put the 75g glass tank on top. I'm not sure I can fit it through the front or back, definately not the back after the tank is full since it will be against a wall. Any advice appreciated as always

cordell

 

[thomas712]

I personally think you are better off waiting until you have all the peices and parts and your ready to go. Plans have a way of changing and adapting before the final assembly and even then may be tweeked afterwords for some time.
I would continue to plan at this point until you have everything. If you have the return pump then you can practice plumbing it back to the main tank. You can experiment with different rubbermaid tubs to see what fits inside the cabnet from front or back because someday you may have to remove it for complete maintanence.
Good luck
Thomas

 

[krux]

I still wish i had finalized my closed loop before i filled the tank, making access from the back impossible. water is heavy if you find your pipes are a bit too short, or if you decide that the skimmer needs to be plumbed in a bit more to the left.
i wouldn't do a thing until i had every piece sitting in my living room however.

 

[cordell]

yeah I think I may just take it slow and wait to get water in it until I have all the equipment and am in a good situation that I can buy *good* rock and sand... I want to start it off right, after all... I'm still trying to figure out how to rig it... especially since I'm not sure what tank I'll be getting. Had bought (so I thought) a very nice 75g tank/stand/canopy but then the guy at the lfs sorta sold it to someone else, but I may be able to still get it if the other guy doesn't want it. I had my truck up there and everything ready to get it.. grr... So I guess I can't do much until then... thanks for the advice