Help with Sump Setup List

[Samina]

Hey everyone,

I am finally switching to a sump for my 55g. It has one of those very narrow stands with only about 10.5” of space in width so it was difficult to find one. Also, the tank is not drilled and I’m not particularly good at DIY. I have always held back from taking the plunge due to space limitation and the fear of flooding my living room with an external overflow. But I have decided to take the plunge and hope you guys can better guide me!

My choices where between an Eshoops Rs-75 18”x10”x16” ($189.99), Bashea 30”x10”x14” ($309). I think I am going to go with the Bashea because it is larger and also I can still have a fuge for pods, etc.

Now comes another difficult part. Deciding between a standard LifeReef Prefilter Siphon Box single external overflow or an Eshoops PF300 Overflow?

As for return pump, I was trying to figure out should I a MagDrive 3(300gph) or 5(500gph). I recall reading that the return pump should be undersized to the overflow, correct?

Aside from that, I need the J-tube. Do I absolutely need to use hard pvc piping or can I us flexible tubing from the return pump to to the j tube? And is there tubing provided that goes from the overflow to the sump or do I have to buy pvc or tubing to plumb that?

Sorry for all the questions. I have read a lot but still get a bit confused and frankly, a bit overwhelmed [emoji15] thank you for any input!!

 

[S.O.MLemos]

I built my 55 last year and I just built my own sump with a 20 long tank but it’s wider than 10” so I can’t help you on that issue but I would highly recommend looking into the reef octo various 2 return pump. I’m so impressed with it and so glad I spent the extra money because I was gonna go a cheaper route but it’s amazingly quite. Also a fan of my reef octo skimmer. Feel free to message me with any questions. I would have done a few things different if it wasn’t my first tank build. Spend the extra money on a good overflow, that’s my biggest regret. Would also recommend having your skimmer and pump before you build or buy a sump because mine is rather tight and needed some customization afterwards. Wish I would have done a 30 gallon instead of 20. Just means I need to upgrade now lol

 

[S.O.MLemos]

Sorry I didn’t really answer anything lol but as far as the hard pvc question that’s what I used for most of it but also used flexible pvc in parts but next time I’m going to use all flexible pvc to avoid any 90’s and easier to route and clean. And the pump I mentioned is adjustable with 5 speeds and you definitely want at least 500 gph. I kinda think I should have got the various 4 honestly

 

[Samina]

Thank you for the reply! I guess I will go with flexible tubing then, you made a good point about cleaning.

What kind of overflow are you using?

As far as skimmer, right now I have a Reef Octopus HOB and love it. But since I won’t be able to use that, I was looking at a SCA-302. It seems like it has good reviews and seems like a good size for a 55g. Do you have any thoughts on that skimmer?

I love your tank and setup by the way, looks super clean!

 

[S.O.MLemos]

As far as my overflow I just built my own because I work with plexiglass a lot but like I said I wish I would have bought one of the fancy ones with multiple drain tubes but I had to learn the hard way lol I can adjust it to where it’s completely quite but then I risk the chance of an overflow if the tubing gets a little dirty so I keep it a open a little more for peace of mind. I’ve never used that model skimmer but my skimmer is the classic -110s which is overkill but I would recommend, I had to build a platform for it because my sump was a little to deep because I built it first.

 

[S.O.MLemos]

And I have ball valves which eventually I’ll order gate valves to replace them. The other reason I wish I went with a bigger sump is so I could have bigger filter socks or 2 instead of just one 4”, it starts overflowing in 3 days but I sometimes feed a little heavy.

 

[Samina]

And I have ball valves which eventually I’ll order gate valves to replace them. The other reason I wish I went with a bigger sump is so I could have bigger filter socks or 2 instead of just one 4”, it starts overflowing in 3 days but I sometimes feed a little heavy.

Where do you have the ball valves? On the drain pipe or the return pipe? Since I plan on using flexible tubing for both sides, do you think I need valves?

So I ended up ordering the Lifereef overflow, bubble magus 5, a u tube for the return, and the bashsea sump. I have a syncra 2.0 laying around and was planning on using that for the return for now. It’s rated 550gph and the overflow is rated around 600gph. And I have quite a bit of flexible tubing laying around that I will try to use first and see if I need more. What do you think about that setup for now? I want to eventually buy a nice return but have to wait on it for now.

Also, do you have recommendations on a good refugium light that is reasonably priced?

Thanks for all your input!!

 

[S.O.MLemos]

I think it’s all kind of your choice and I’m sure whatever you do will turn out nice, you can always upgrade later. I have more valves than I actually need but I’m gonna redo all my plumbing soon. Definitely put a valve on your drain side and get a good check valve as well as a ball/gate valve for your pump side. As far as a refugium light there is a few threads in this forum talking about them. I don’t like my current light but it was free and works for now. Any grow light will work technically, just need that red spectrum. And remember if a pump is rated at 550gph your probably going to get around 300gph by the time it goes through all the piping. Oh and don’t forget unions they’ll make your life easier down the road.

 

[landlubber]

I think it’s all kind of your choice and I’m sure whatever you do will turn out nice, you can always upgrade later. I have more valves than I actually need but I’m gonna redo all my plumbing soon. Definitely put a valve on your drain side and get a good check valve for your pump side. As far as a refugium light there is a few threads in this forum talking about them. I don’t like my current light but it was free and works for now. Any grow light will work technically, just need that red spectrum. And remember if a pump is rated at 550gph your probably going to get around 300gph by the time it goes through all the piping

I disagree with it being optional, it is mandatory.
you will be very disappointed if you don't add a ball or gate valve to the return side as you won't be able to tune the flow rate and will end up with the inlet being caught between trying to drain and siphon. it causes major surging and sloshing which will result in you having to add one anyway. it isn't recommended to restrict the water draining down from the tank so you don't need valves on that side.
refugium lighting is a mostly based on the area you need to cover and budget ranging from the lamp style cfl bulb to the purpose built horticultural lights with the 6500k spectrum. brs covers this extensively in their youtube series.

 

[S.O.MLemos]

I recommend one on the drain side for maintenance and cleaning of the sump not to restrict flow although my case is different