BUY A SUMP OR BUILD ONE?

Bluefin1989 · Sep 20, 2020

does it come out to be the same? This including time and buying all of the stuff to build one when you have nothing on hand.
I own a business and I am working 24/7 but I think I can manage to have 30 minutes during the day to do some work on it and then maybe another 30 at night. Or should I just buy a sump online? this is for a 50ish gallon low boy.

WillH · Sep 20, 2020

I had a trigger 39 for a few years, I loved it! Ended up building my own 2 years ago and will always build in future. You can spec how you want, the exact size you want, etc. I am not sure it was cheaper. And took much longer than 60 minutes to put together! Pics in my build thread

NeonRabbit221B · Sep 20, 2020

Just built my first one last week but have never owned a pre-fab one. It’s nice cause you can design it around your equipment. I used a baffle kit from Melves. Took around 2 hours but it is fairly easy once you get everything lined up

Funston07 · Sep 20, 2020

Bluefin1989 said:
does it come out to be the same? This including time and buying all of the stuff to build one when you have nothing on hand.
I own a business and I am working 24/7 but I think I can manage to have 30 minutes during the day to do some work on it and then maybe another 30 at night. Or should I just buy a sump online? this is for a 50ish gallon low boy.

I was gonna buy a trigger sump but then went the DIY route. Trigger sump was gonna cost me $400 I built one about the exact same size for $150. Got the sump kit from jax racks and then a new aqueon aquarium and put it together, so glad I did that instead.

X-37B · Sep 20, 2020

Just use a 40 breeder with no baffles.
I use one on my 36x24x12 frag system and my 120 display.

BlennyTime · Sep 20, 2020

When I upgraded from my 75 to a 180, I decided to repurpose the 75 into a sump. Glass places will cut pieces pretty inexpensively, and all it took was some planning and time. Plus it let me design it around my equipment exactly.

Urtoo · Sep 20, 2020

Jax rax is what I used. I am planning 2 additional things that I hope he could complete for me soon.
He is super quick to respond and will chat with you on what you are looking to complete your build. I will always build my own now. I find it far more fulfilling to DIY.
If you absolutely need to fill it quickly, buy one.
If you have time, build it.

xxkenny90xx · Sep 20, 2020

I put my 40 breeder 3 chamber sump together easily for about $75. It was very easy and I love it but it did take longer than an hour...

Nick428 · Sep 20, 2020

I made 2 above tank sumps for my 55 out of imagitarium medium tanks cost about $35 with bulkheads,pvc etc.

Bluefin1989 · Sep 20, 2020

William Henry said:
I had a trigger 39 for a few years, I loved it! Ended up building my own 2 years ago and will always build in future. You can spec how you want, the exact size you want, etc. I am not sure it was cheaper. And took much longer than 60 minutes to put together! Pics in my build thread

That's really nice! I should have said I have at least an hour per day to be able to play with building the sump lol

Bluefin1989 · Sep 20, 2020

Nick428 said:
I made 2 above tank sumps for my 55 out of imagitarium medium tanks cost about $35 with bulkheads,pvc etc.

Could I get a tank and then go get acrylic sheets from Home depot, caulk those in and be set?

ReefLab · Sep 20, 2020

I think it depends on what you want.
Are you running a filter roller? do you want filter socks? Skimmer? refugium? pH/other probes?

if you make your own, the only easy way to do mechanical filtration is a single filter sock (you'll change it often) or a filter roller.

If you're not doing a refugium, I would go with one section with a filter roller and skimmer, then the other section for your return pump. that would be really easy and simple.

It takes longer to measure & prep than it does to actually silicone in the baffles.

Bluefin1989 · Sep 20, 2020

xxkenny90xx said:
I put my 40 breeder 3 chamber sump together easily for about $75. It was very easy and I love it but it did take longer than an hour...

Do you have a photo!?

ReefLab · Sep 20, 2020

Bluefin1989 said:
Could I get a tank and then go get acrylic sheets from Home depot, caulk those in and be set?

No. call your local glass shop and ask them to cut the pieces you need in 1/4" glass. its really cheap

Bluefin1989 · Sep 20, 2020

90's reefer said:
Just use a 40 breeder with no baffles.
I use one on my 36x24x12 frag system and my 120 display.

oh wow! that looks easy enough! lol do you find any difference in using baffles vs not?

Bluefin1989 · Sep 20, 2020

ReefLab said:
No. call your local glass shop and ask them to cut the pieces you need in 1/4" glass. its really cheap

okay! I know a guy! Thank you! and is there a reason why I can use acrylic?

Triple.T · Sep 20, 2020

I would say just purchase a reputable pre-built. That's my opinion anyway, I would only go custom or build my own if I couldn't find what I was looking for pre built or I needed certain space requirements. Just my .02

G Santana · Sep 20, 2020

I am restarting my tank after many yrs away from the hobby, I will not pay 400 bucks or more for a glorified tank. I am using a 30 gallon long as my sump, and if it needs baffles, plexiglass and silicone will do just fine lol.

Bluefin1989 · Sep 20, 2020

Triple.T said:
I would say just purchase a reputable pre-built. That's my opinion anyway, I would only go custom or build my own if I couldn't find what I was looking for pre built or I needed certain space requirements. Just my .02

Thank you for your advice

ReefLab · Sep 20, 2020

Bluefin1989 said:
okay! I know a guy! Thank you! and is there a reason why I can use acrylic?

silicone doesn't bond acrylic and overtime the baffles may come loose. and if you bump them they're likely to just pop off. glass will bond really solid with silicone.