sumps.

[jay0705]

Ok folks its upgrade time. In doing so iam gona go w a sump. Is there a certain ratio as to dt to sump?

 

[pegasus]

Not that I'm aware of. I bought a 30 gallon sump/refugium to use with my 125. Not because it was rated for 300 gallons, but it was the largest pre-assembled sump I thought I could fit under my stand. My thinking is that the more I add to the total volume, the better. More water equals more stability...

 

[bang guy]

For my 155 reef I had a 900 gallon refugium and a 30 gallon sump. Would have been better with a larger refugium and a smaller sump.

 

[mandy111]

You have to make sure that if there is a power outage, you sump is able to handle the water volume of your tank when return pump is off. and it back siphons. Other than that your good to go.

 

[lmforbis]

How big are your upgrading to? If I had been thinking straight when I built my stand for my 125, I would have left an end open or rejigged the plans so I could have used my 55 gallon as a sump. I have a 29 which holds my skimmer, smallish fuge, and return pump. It is about 60% full and there is room for the back flow if the power goes out plus a little bit extra just in case.

 

[mandy111]

Nothing worse than a sump that cant handle siphon.......eeeek... Think a lot of people forget about that side of the sump. I know a few people that have flooded the house. lol.

 

[lmforbis]

that is the reason I upgraded my sump at least as far as size. I felt like I was tempting fate all the time. I was waiting for the ***** dollar a gallon aquarium sale so I could get a really good deal but it was nerve wracking. New sump isn't as pretty as my old acrylic one but it works and cost me very little compared to a pre-made sump.

 

[jay0705]

Thank you all for the info. The plan is to go w a pre drilled corner over flow tank. I was thinking a 40b as a sump. Just not sure how it would fit under the stand. Excellent points about it over flowing lol. Also debating on duel corner, or single. I'am thinking double is the best.

 

[lmforbis]

Mine is a dual corner over flow. Didn't want that at first but I think it provides better overall circulation.
So tell us about this planned tank. A 40b would not fit under my stand. If I'd built it different it would have.

 

[jay0705]

The plan is 125 or bigger. Issue being bigger isn't much bigger. Even a 180 only has a few more inches here or there. The stand will be built so I can make room , a 55 may fit more easily. It will most likely be fowlr. I'am just dipping into corals, so they will stay in my smaller tank. My fish just need more room, namely my tangs.

 

[lmforbis]

A 6 foot 180 has the front to back depth that will allow you to have ample space for a 55 sump under the tank. Unfortunately the price goes up a lot because the glass has to be thicker. It will give your unicorn room to turn around when he gets bigger. I love my 125 I would have gone for a 180 if it didn't cost so much more and if my living room wasn't so narrow.
If you are building your own stand, I will suggest making it at least 36 inches tall 40 is even better. In a standard height stand which is around 30 - 33" you can get a 55 in but you can't actually get into the sump to do anything. Mine is 36 inches and I can barely remove the top off my skimmer. The other benefit of the taller stand is it is easier to view both sitting and standing.

 

[jay0705]

Excellent. Thanks for the info. The stand will have wiggle room so I can figure that out hopefully lol. Yea the price jump after a 125 is crazy. Yet 180 to a 220 minimal. You have an excellent memory to remember I have a unicorn. He is still small, about 5-6". The naso and yellow tho are getting big. Its funny when I first started sw I wanted a bigger tank bc I wanted a hippo tang. Now I have 3 totally diff tangs lol great fish, well behaved, colorful, ect.

 

[lmforbis]

I love DIY stands. They are crazy easy to build with just basic tools and you can skin them how ever you want to match your style. You can configure the space how ever you want to meet your needs. Molding can turn it into anything you want.
Here is my big one. I'm building a similar smaller one for my 40b with a full height storage cabinet on the side.

 

[jay0705]

Oh thats nice. I like the canopy. You would never know there is a sump under that .

 

[lmforbis]

I don't like to see the equipment. The canopy is open on top and I put outlets up there for the lights, heaters and powerheads.

 

[jay0705]

Oh thats a great idea, I'll take 1. Do u ship to ny lol

 

[lmforbis]

LOL

 

[pegasus]

I love DIY stands. They are crazy easy to build with just basic tools and you can skin them how ever you want to match your style. You can configure the space how ever you want to meet your needs. Molding can turn it into anything you want.
Here is my big one. I'm building a similar smaller one for my 40b with a full height storage cabinet on the side.

View attachment 1470

Great job on the cabinet and canopy... and matching the woodwork in the house. It gives you pride and a sense of accomplishment when something like that comes together so nicely, doesn't it?

I don't like to see the equipment. The canopy is open on top and I put outlets up there for the lights, heaters and powerheads.

Yeah... the open top canopy helps with the suspended lights, doesn't it? LMAO!!!

Sorry... I couldn't resist. I've been mowing grass in 89F for 4 hours, so I may be a little delirious.

 

[lmforbis]

Thank you Pegasus. I did all the woodwork in the house too. I like building stuff.

 

[pegasus]

Thank you Pegasus. I did all the woodwork in the house too. I like building stuff.

In the house? Do you live alone? My wife would never allow that!!! LOL! Fortunately, I have a basement... lol! While not as elaborate as yours, this is the stand and canopy I threw together for my wife's 40B. Since the house was built in the '60's, I had to keep the theme kind of mellow...