Is a sump worth the money?

[Bigbadfishy]

Building a new tank 120 SPS and LPS. iv always had 40 gallon breeders with glass baffles they work good but a pain to clean. Are sumps worth the money? Looking a a trigger 36 or 39 but open to recommendations.

 

[Fishfinder]

Building a new tank 120 SPS and LPS. iv always had 40 gallon breeders with glass baffles they work good but a pain to clean. Are sumps worth the money? Looking a a trigger 36 or 39 but open to recommendations.

 

[Aardvark1134]

You can keep a saltwater tank without a sump...but a sump sure makes it easier.

 

[ca1ore]

If you mean diy sump versus commercial .... well always the former for me. I don’t think the commercial ones are worth the $$$ charged.

 

[Mmun]

Building a new tank 120 SPS and LPS. iv always had 40 gallon breeders with glass baffles they work good but a pain to clean. Are sumps worth the money? Looking a a trigger 36 or 39 but open to recommendations.

I have a trigger sump and it’s great. Worth the money

 

[count krunk]

bust your chops a little bit and build a sump via another fish tank. Well worth the money and experience in that case.

 

[AZG]

If you’re debating on building one do it. I regret getting the trigger. It’s great don’t get me wrong but wish I did it my way.

 

[sstanley223]

Acrylic is pricy. I have that sump for my 125 and its perfect for that size. I was on the fence at first but I'm sold. My home made sump on my last system had a lot of salt creep.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Ive always used diy sumps until recently. Came across a good deal. Eshopps rs-200 for $150 brand new. Ive always thought the price of some of these sumps is a bit ludicrous. That said ive always wanted a “real” sump.

 

[Johnseye]

Without a doubt use a sump. It allows you to keep heaters, probes and skimmer out of the DT. It allows for better water circulation. With the ability to use a bigger skimmer than in tank you can introduce more oxygen and remove more crap.

I had that same sump in my 120. I did lean on the cross bar too much and cracked it. Be careful of that, it's thin. Otherwise it was a great sump.

 

[Antics]

I feel like in terms of actual filtration a commercial made sump is almost never "worth it" compared to a DIY solution.

Now if we're talking aesthetics... Acrylic sure is pretty.

 

[jsvand5]

I’ll never understand the fascination with these high priced sumps. I’ve got a 40 breeder under my 210g and bought some cheap glass for baffles. I have about $60 into it all together. Works just as well as any of the pretty sumps.

I originally looked into getting a 240g acrylic tank. The builder said he’d make me a sump for only an
extra $700. I laughed then went to petco for a 40 breeder.

 

[Johnseye]

I’ll never understand the fascination with these high priced sumps. I’ve got a 40 breeder under my 210g and bought some cheap glass for baffles. I have about $60 into it all together. Works just as well as any of the pretty sumps.

I originally looked into getting a 240g acrylic tank. The builder said he’d make me a sump for only an
extra $700. I laughed then went to petco for a 40 breeder.

An acrylic sump like this or a custom built one allows for things that are more challenging to accomplish with a breeder. Inflow pipes can be easily secured to the housing with easy disassembling. With a custom you can specify the exact size you need. In my latest sump I specified everything and would do the same again.

Yes you can use a breeder or a Rubbermaid container or any other container for that matter. It's a matter of whether you see value in paying for features or looks.

 

[Deezill]

Building a new tank 120 SPS and LPS. iv always had 40 gallon breeders with glass baffles they work good but a pain to clean. Are sumps worth the money? Looking a a trigger 36 or 39 but open to recommendations.

I have this exact sump decent but with my new 180 build im going with a custom sump because I need something bigger.

 

[jsvand5]

I’ll never understand the fascination with these high priced sumps. I’ve got a 40 breeder under my 210g and bought some cheap glass for baffles. I have about $60 into it all together. Works just as well as any of the pretty sumps.

An acrylic sump like this or a custom built one allows for things that are more challenging to accomplish with a breeder. Inflow pipes can be easily secured to the housing with easy disassembling. With a custom you can specify the exact size you need. In my latest sump I specified everything and would do the same again.

Yes you can use a breeder or a Rubbermaid container or any other container for that matter. It's a matter of whether you see value in paying for features or looks.

I’m pretty minimalist as far as equipment goes. I have a skimmer, heater, marine pure blocks, UV sterilizer pump, and return pump in my sump. I can’t imagine ever wanting or needing anything else.

As far as looks go, mine looks just as good as all the fancy custom ones do once I close the cabinet doors.

 

[Borg]

All the cool kids have sumps.

I have a trigger emerald 39 on my 180

I love it. Clean.
When I get my forever tank I’m going to just buy a large tub from tractor supply load it up with rock throw a skimmer in their and enjoy the tank. No more crawling under the tank.

 

[Johnseye]

I’m pretty minimalist as far as equipment goes. I have a skimmer, heater, marine pure blocks, UV sterilizer pump, and return pump in my sump. I can’t imagine ever wanting or needing anything else.

As far as looks go, mine looks just as good as all the fancy custom ones do once I close the cabinet doors.

I never had a UV sterilizer. How do you like it and how has it helped?

My return pump is outside of the sump. I have a skimmer and 2 heaters in one chamber of my sump, separated from the inflow pipes by a baffle. In the second chamber I have some chaeto and live rock. In the third chamber are my probes (thermometer, salinity, PH) and ATO. You don't have any of those things in your sump?

 

[alton]

I have had one sump with filter socks and they are not my cup of tea. I like drip trays with a sheet of filter fluff. So I make my own. I get the acrylic shop to make 90% of the cuts, so it takes very little time to glue it together. Since I am not that good I have learned to start with Weldon 4 and then run a bead of Weldon 16 to make sure it does not leak.

 

[PYRU]

Not worth the money imo but beauty is in the eye of the beerholder

 

[DeniseAndy]

I like my DIY sump as it is what I want and how I want it. Nothing ever is easy when you plumb through a wall and ceiling ans uch, so being able to customize and change is key for me. I even throw a tank under my 40g tanks just to get stuff out of the main system. Looks better and more water movement. Good place to trap debris and such too. Good luck on how you choose to do it.