What to use for a sump?

[jester805]

I'm thinking about buying an overflow box and return pump so that I can setup a sump. What should I use as the sump tank itself? I was thinking of a 30 gallon glass aquarium. Could I just use a Rubbermaid container?? Does it really matter what your sump tank is made out of???

 

[coachklm]

nope ....no matter what you use are you planning on refugium later? i have a 90g w/ 29g sump/fuge combo you may want to use a rubbermaid if you need a large volume sump i think a tank looks better overall though so ultimately choice is yours

 

[jester805]

Originally Posted by coachKLM
nope ....no matter what you use are you planning on refugium later? i have a 90g w/ 29g sump/fuge combo you may want to use a rubbermaid if you need a large volume sump i think a tank looks better overall though so ultimately choice is yours
I guess that leads to my next question. What's the difference between a sump & a fuge? I thought they were basically the same thing. :notsure: Or is a fuge more for growing algae and other useful stuff for the tank?
If I go with a Rubbermaid container and put my heater in there.....would I run the risk of melting the container??
Do I need any lights in my sump?? I was hoping to just put the heater and filters in the sump. I could leave the powerheads and skimmer in the display tank.

 

[mr.125]

So...your on the right track. No light needed for the sump unless ur growing stuff in it. The fuge is just a resovour for groing stuff that filters water. (Biological) Sump is more mechanical. If you decide to use a rubbermade or similar product just make sure that the plastic is food grade.
Details on ur tank would help as well.

 

[jester805]

Originally Posted by Mr.125
So...your on the right track. No light needed for the sump unless ur growing stuff in it. The fuge is just a resovour for groing stuff that filters water. (Biological) Sump is more mechanical. If you decide to use a rubbermade or similar product just make sure that the plastic is food grade.
Details on ur tank would help as well.
Thanks for the help on clarifying that for me.
I have a 75 gallon tank with 80 pounds of LS and about 50 pounds of LR.
I have an Emperor 400 & Emperor 280 for filtration.
I have Current USA satellite 4x65 watt power compact lighting.
The tank has been up for 1 year.
I just added an AquaC Remora protein skimmer.

 

[mr.125]

Sure thing!
Sounds like youu have all the necessary mechanical parts to your aquarium!
You'll notice a BIG differeence w/ that AquaC skimmer as well!