SUMP/REFUGIUM...is it worth it on my set up???

lilzeus99

lilzeus99

Member
My plans are a 45 gallon tank for my office at work. I'm currently building the tank stand and canopy and am 95% done with it.
I have bought an emporer 400 filter, and plan to get a skimmer before water is added. I keep looking at everyones sumps/refugiums and this seems to be the way to go on larger tanks. Would it be worth doing a small setup like this for my 45 gallon build I'm doing???????
If so, can you buy something pre-made, because I see a lot of you building your own?
Can I buy a small 10 gallon tank and make one out of that or is it really worth it?
I'm limited to 10" or so in my stand since my tank dimensions are 36x12x24
Is this a waste of an idea or should I just stick to the original plan of doing the emporer 400 and a HOB skimmer set up?
Thanks for your help and guidance.....
Shane
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
I'm saying it's worth it. Our first tank was 55 and we did not do sump and/or refugium on it and that was a huge mistake, at least in our case. We used Magnum 350 which is an excellent canister filter. One of these days we'll build a frag tank for me and that will also have a sump.
 
lilzeus99

lilzeus99

Member
So you think that making your own sump/refugium out of a 10 gallon tank is worth while? I'm worried that you won't have room for a skimmer and all the stuff that is needed to make it function properly... plus you'll need to drill 1-2 holes in the tank for an overflow if I'm not mistaken.
Is it expensive to make your own out of acrylic sheets? That way I can make a 10" deep unit, but make it longer for better function?
Keep in mind this is my first saltwater setup...I don't want to get to carried away, but don't mind spending a tad more coin if it truely is beneficial...I want this experience to be good for myself and my clients that visit my office.
Thanks again
Shane
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
I have no experience in building a sump, we've always used ready made ones. You don't need to drill your tank, you can use hang-on overflow box for that.
I'd say go for 20g sump if you have one. You can get a cheap one from Walmart easily. You can also have a skimmer that is external and not inside the sump. That will save you room.
if nothing else, the way your tank will look is a lot nicer than having everything hanging from the sides and being visible.
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
i would stay away from a hang on overflow. getting the tank drilled would be a better, safer option.
i agree with spiderwoman on the aesthetics. it's nice to be able to hide your heater(s) and skimmer from plain sight.
i also agree that if you want to put a refugium in the sump, a 20 would be a better option. they make a 20 long which measures 30 1/4 x 12 1/2 x 12 3/4. i'd go with that.
 
keebler

keebler

Member
+1 on the no hob overflow. I have one because my tank was already set up before I got my sump and I REALLY didn't want to drill it when it was already pretty far along. With that said, I hate the look of the hob overflow and would've drilled the tank if I had decided on a sump earlier. By the way, I'm talking about a 30 gallon tank and I love my 20 gallon sump. Sumps are most definitely benefitial in small tanks as well. I highly recommend a 20 gallon sump rather than a ten. You can buy pieces of acrylic and make baffles, but you don't have to, people have had success without baffles. Some people even use trash cans, rubbermaid buckets, and all sorts of stuff as sumps, but when we're looking at a 20 gallon tank, it is not too expensive and it is easier to view the contents. You can get sand, lr, and some macroalgae and make a refugium in your sump too. You can get macroalgae from some people on this site for cheap or occasionally even free.
 
brijean

brijean

Member
if your tank is already running can you use a hang on over flow is it safe or ? im getting stuff to make mine right now going to put a 20 or 29 gal refugium on my 55 gal tank but its all up and running and was just going to put the hang on over flow on the back so please let me know if its safe to do so before spending the $$$$
thanks for the help
 
rebelprettyboy

rebelprettyboy

Active Member
Originally Posted by brijean
http:///forum/post/2748137
if your tank is already running can you use a hang on over flow is it safe or ? im getting stuff to make mine right now going to put a 20 or 29 gal refugium on my 55 gal tank but its all up and running and was just going to put the hang on over flow on the back so please let me know if its safe to do so before spending the $$$$
thanks for the help
WHOA WHOA WHOA... Whered u come from? Midland Texas also here buddy? not to many of us saltwater ppl here? Give me some info on your tank and what not.. matter fact ill come by to see it lol..
Nice to see u here...
 
rebelprettyboy

rebelprettyboy

Active Member
Originally Posted by brijean
http:///forum/post/2748137
if your tank is already running can you use a hang on over flow is it safe or ? im getting stuff to make mine right now going to put a 20 or 29 gal refugium on my 55 gal tank but its all up and running and was just going to put the hang on over flow on the back so please let me know if its safe to do so before spending the $$$$
thanks for the help
And yeah u can do a HOB overflow for your tank if its already running. Gettin it drilled is just safeir. Far less of a chance of it failing.
 
lilzeus99

lilzeus99

Member
The problem I'm having, is that I don't have that much room under my tank. I only have 10" worth of width to for a sump....
I have been looking into one of the hang on the back sumps....has anyone had good luck with these units?
thanks again
shane
 
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