New tank build

[SammiMitch]

hi! Not sure if this is the right place to post. I moved and had to break down my 15g nano reef. Now I'm back and ready to start a new tank! But I have some questions. I have a 20g and want to use my extra 10g as a sump, would that work?
I used a hob filter on my nano and it's enough for the 20g but I don't like it bc it's ugly. I have never used a sump before and have no clue how to set it up (media/plumbing). So I guess what I'm asking is how do you set up a sump?

 

[Erik R]

Sammi,

It depends on what you want to do in a sump. Most people use it to place their skimmers and reactors as well as heaters and dosing systems. In the most general sense you have a siphon tube draining water from the display tank to the sump then a return pump to send the water back. Most sumps have three chambers: One small chamber where the siphon drains to. A large chamber for your equipment in the middle. A small chamber for the return pump. These are sectioned off by walls that are 1/3-1/2 the height of the sump.

In my case, my sump will contain probes, cheato, heater, return pump.

 

[SammiMitch]

I think what I might try is doing the three chambers in the ten putting media in the first setting up that hob filter in the second bc it has a skimmer. And then just putting the return pump in the last chamber.

 

[Preme]

hi! Not sure if this is the right place to post. I moved and had to break down my 15g nano reef. Now I'm back and ready to start a new tank! But I have some questions. I have a 20g and want to use my extra 10g as a sump, would that work?
I used a hob filter on my nano and it's enough for the 20g but I don't like it bc it's ugly. I have never used a sump before and have no clue how to set it up (media/plumbing). So I guess what I'm asking is how do you set up a sump?

Sammi,

It depends on what you want to do in a sump. Most people use it to place their skimmers and reactors as well as heaters and dosing systems. In the most general sense you have a siphon tube draining water from the display tank to the sump then a return pump to send the water back. Most sumps have three chambers: One small chamber where the siphon drains to. A large chamber for your equipment in the middle. A small chamber for the return pump. These are sectioned off by walls that are 1/3-1/2 the height of the sump.

In my case, my sump will contain probes, cheato, heater, return pump.

Also you can have a refugium in your sump which helps a lot ( at least in my experiences). Sumps are basically the best filtration method you can have (as long as you have the correct skimmer, return pump and size of the sump). They also are great because they hid you heater(s), Dosing probes, basically all the stuff who most likely hate seeing in your display tank which leads to an overall cleaner look.

 

[SammiMitch]

Also you can have a refugium in your sump which helps a lot ( at least in my experiences). Sumps are basically the best filtration method you can have (as long as you have the correct skimmer, return pump and size of the sump). They also are great because they hid you heater(s), Dosing probes, basically all the stuff who most likely hate seeing in your display tank which leads to an overall cleaner look.

So having a 20 gallon show tank would a 10 gallon tank be an good size sump?

 

[Preme]

Yea that'd work great, give me a quick second to find a sump that'd work perfect for you!

 

[Preme]

Check this out! It's kinda expensive but I think I'd be worth it... I've ordered from Ocean Box Designs before and was very happy!

https://oceanboxdesigns.com/product/dlux-sump-kit-10-gallon-aquarium-blackclear/

 

[Preme]

You can even add a skimmer for like an extra 50-60 bucks and it's for tanks up to 30 gallons!!!

 

[SammiMitch]

That's not a bad looking kit! Thanks! I'm pulling my tanks out of the closet tomorrow to start setting it up. I'll keep this thread going for more questions. And pics to come.

 

[Preme]

That's not a bad looking kit! Thanks! I'm pulling my tanks out of the closet tomorrow to start setting it up. I'll keep this thread going for more questions. And pics to come.

I'd suggest starting a Build thread in the members tank section! Just give a run down of the equipment you'll be using and any other details! Also post some pics on it too!

 

[Erik R]

Rex,

That is actually pretty awesome.

 

[Lninwa]

hi! Not sure if this is the right place to post. I moved and had to break down my 15g nano reef. Now I'm back and ready to start a new tank! But I have some questions. I have a 20g and want to use my extra 10g as a sump, would that work?
I used a hob filter on my nano and it's enough for the 20g but I don't like it bc it's ugly. I have never used a sump before and have no clue how to set it up (media/plumbing). So I guess what I'm asking is how do you set up a sump?

Yeah, instead of getting the IM or Red Sea reefer I wanted I just bought a Aquamaxx and did everything hob to save money. I greatly regret this because all the hob stuff if ugly and noisy. Not to mention all the salt creep and bubbles. I could get this tank drilled which I may do at some point.

 

[Erik R]

Yeah, instead of getting the IM or Red Sea reefer I wanted I just bought a Aquamaxx and did everything hob to save money. I greatly regret this because all the hob stuff if ugly and noisy. Not to mention all the salt creep and bubbles. I could get this tank drilled which I may do at some point.

This is precisely why I am getting a Red Sea Max-E 170. Even the sump is from Red Sea. Nothing cobbled together.

 

[Lninwa]

This is precisely why I am getting a Red Sea Max-E 170. Even the sump is from Red Sea. Nothing cobbled together.

Yeah, I could sell this tank and start new but I would never get near what I paid for it. Or would I?

 

[SammiMitch]

I would love to buy a Red Sea set up...buuttt I don't have $1500 to drop on a tank..and if I'm going to get one I want a huge one lol so for now I will settle for my 20gal. I do have a question though. I have a friend sending me their old fluval 305 canister filter. I want to use this instead of building a sump. Only problem I see in this is that it's rated for a 70gal. Do y'all think that would be to much for a 20gal reef? Or maybe I can get some valves to reduce the flow?

 

[glb]

You can save money by making a sump. 10 sump would give you plenty of room for equipment. If you drill the display tank, all the plumbing will be hidden behind the tank and it will look really nice. I just built a 40g setup and did the sump and plumbing myself. Let me know if I can help you out!!

 

[SammiMitch]

You can save money by making a sump. 10 sump would give you plenty of room for equipment. If you drill the display tank, all the plumbing will be hidden behind the tank and it will look really nice. I just built a 40g setup and did the sump and plumbing myself. Let me know if I can help you out!!

I have an extra 10gal and I could make a sump...but this tank is going on carpet..and I fear an overflow. So I think keeping it contained in a canister filter would put my nearves at ease.