Need of a Sump!

[fiftyfive]

I am now at the point where I want to sump it up and get the gear outta the display tank and bring the volume up. I will be re-scaping once my currently curing LR is done it's thing and it would be a good time to bring a sump/fuge into this project.

Does anyone know where I can get a sump from or who builds them or an alternative DIY method (I dont have a shop to use for building unfortunately) and I've seen some rubbermaid makes out there.

I have a 42 gallon breeder reef tank 36L x 18D x 15H and currently it's sitting on my makeshift dining room table aquarium stand (it never gets used anyways). I am thinking 20 to 30 gal would be nice.

I have never drilled a tank, nor have the tools for it any advice or options would be helpful! Overflow is what I am considering, as my dining room table won't like holes in it. I may just get a stand proper too.

[fiftyfive]

Here's some pics for ya's as I don't think I have posted any here yet.

Beware, these are large and may take a while to load!

Sept 1st





Sept 19th

(fish removed and QT - Tang may be relocated to better home)

[yellowtang]

this is IMO.........
have you ever thought on a .H.O.T. sump.
there are some for the size of tank you have which will fit perfectly
might now be as good as a drill tank with a sump but
neverheless is a sump.........
a 40g tank with a sump is very uncommon.........
but this is just my opinion.......
there are other members who have sumps on small tanks
like a 33g..........
but IMO.........
CHEERS.

[fiftyfive]

I am actually already running a Coralife 65 HOB skimmer. I would like to add it and the heater to a sump as to take it out of the tank as for cosmetics as well as add more water volume to the system. A refuge for pods and culps would be nice too. OH!  and a place for my RO/DI to top off safely.

Thank you for your input, I was thinking the same way when I started this tank, but now I feel a sump would be more useful and cosmetic for this.   I wish I had a shop cause I would try and build the whole deal, stand and all.

Currently in an apartment downtown.

[gvv]

I think it will be much cheaper to get just bare tank and make a sump from it.
There are a lot of schemas how to make one, just google DYI sump. And in short you just need the glass for buffles - they will separate your skimmer section from the pump section in order to get rid of microbubbles. If there will be enough place you may have additional refuge section with macroalgae in it.
Some people also put sand, but some LR will be enough.

I was lazy and instead of buffles just made  some "case" from eggcrates with 2 sections, where one is filled with chunks of corals and the other  has spaghetti macroalgae in it.
...Just don't forget lights in case you plan to have refuge section.


As for  overflow - all the tanks I got were already drilled, so didn't have any problem. But if you are not experienced with drilling glass, maybe it will be better to find someone who know what to do. There were a lot of topics on the drilling in AC you may try to search.

Good luck

[redbelly]

I would try and go with a slightly larger sump than a 20-30g if you can as it will empty rather quickly due to evaporation.

[laffy]

i have a 40 breeder and a 50 running on a 20 sump and i have no problem. evaporation kicks in but i made a really simple top off that i fill up every 4-5 days. 20-30 gallon is a good choice for a sump for the tank you have.