Sumps

[spiderwoman]

Husband is wanting one and now the question is DIY or buy a package?
I've read up some on Lifereef Berlin Systems. Does anybody have experience with it? Is is any good? We don't have a budget for this. Current system is a 55g FOWLR, but plans are to go as high as 200, maybe more.
Pros/Cons on DIY and packages?
If you'd go with a package, what would you recommend?

 

[al mc]

I would DIY. Check out melevsreef for info on building your own sump/refugium. He takes you step by step with pictures.

 

[acrylic51]

LifeReef makes very good stuff, but I'm a DIY and would prefer DIY so you get exactly what your looking for in the sump.....If you go to their site, they will custom build as well.

 

[sh2000]

I would DIY I saved about $300 doing it myself.

 

[dadszx7]

you can go to Lowes or Tap plastics. They can cut plexiglass. You can custom design it any way you like to fit your needs. I made a sump with three baffles for about 45 dollars.
You can also buy a premade glass tank and install baffles in with silicon.

 

[nietzsche]

i would make one out of glass if youve never worked with acrylic before. just buy a tank that can fit under your tank in the stand, make a plan for what you want it to do, and have a glass company cut the baffles out for you. they should be cheap

 

[spiderwoman]

Any experience with the ready made packages? The problem we have is lack of time. My husband works for a race team and season testing has already started and the actual race season starts next week. He is home very limited and wants to get it up and running fairly soon. For example right now he is on his way back from California and will only be home for 2-3 days and head out to Daytona for 10 days.
I have my hands full with 2 yr old twins and running my web development business. If I had the time, I'd give a DIY a try.

 

[sh2000]

So just buy one for $300 a good skimmer is around $125 a pump is around $45 then you have the other parts.

 

[al mc]

You can have a local 'glass shop' cut the acylic to order. I purchased my Weldon glue from them and was able to assemble the DIY sump/refugium in a day. Even with your time constraints I would go DIY so you can have a 'custom' set up for at worst half the cost of pre made.