Appropriate sump size

[SeeFu]

I'm picking up my tank today 125 gallon tank. The store doesn't have the sump they normally sell with this tank in stock so they offered me a smaller sump at a significant discount. What's the appropriate size sump for a 125 gal tank?

 

[geddavis]

Anything that can hold the equipment and media you want

 

[Aardvark1134]

You typically want a sump that has a bottom that is at least 1/3 the sq ft of the bottom of your tank. If you go much smaller it's hard to get your returns setup in a way that won't flood your sump during a power outage. But as above your equipment must also fit.

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

I have a 22 gallon sump on a 150 gallon tank, and wish I had something twice the size, maybe more. I have enough room to handle a power outage, and my equipment fits, but only just barely. I'd like to add some stuff, but simply have no room.

I'm planning out a build for a frag tank, and will likely have a sump that is larger than the frag tank just to make things easier for equipment and maintenance.

 

[Hemmdog]

I wouldn’t take the small sump, you always want a bigger sump. Check Craigslist for a used trigger and tell the LFS to take the price of the sump off the total tank price. Tell them you will find one on your own.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Bigger is better in my opinion. I would like to add a rubbermaid tote thing under my stand with an additional 75+ lbs of rock to my setup but I’m just not sure how/where to plumb it.

More area for filtration is best in my opinion.

 

[Saveafish]

Biggest you can fit under there. More water it holds the better.

 

[SeeFu]

I get bigger is better, but there are space and money constraints. with those 2 constraints what's considered a minimum size sump you would want for a 125 gal tank?

 

[MeatMountain]

Minimum 20 gallon long tank/sump. I'm running one on my 5' 120g with no issues so far. It can handle power outages and fits a large skimmer. It all depends on what all you want your sump to hold.

 

[SeeFu]

great. so 33 gallons should be sufficient. Thanks!