New to sumps

[Ray 713]

I recently acquired a 90 gallon tank and sump setup. All of this equipment was given to me and I’m trying to decide what to keep and where best to invest my money. I know from what I have read and watched that this is not an ideal way to use a sump. It currently has a 7 inch sock, a skimmer and a return pump all in a fairly small sump without baffling of any kind. It’s plumbed with flexible hose but will eventually hard plum it once I decide my best options. The tank itself has quite a bit of live rock in as well as a few small fish. As we progress with this hobby, we would like to add some beginner corals as well.
Thanks for any input you are willing to give. I’ll get a picture up if needed.
Ray

 

[Hitman]

What size is the sump?
All depends on your usage. Do you want a refugium to grow macro, room for a heater, skimmer, reactors, pumps, etc.
My first sump was a 40g breeder that I siliconed acrylic panels inplace and it lasted me years until I upgraded to a 90g for more room.
Just as you are doing take it nice and slow and decide exactly what your needs are and do a diy one.
I built my 90g refugium/sump for half the price of a name brand one with twice the water volume of anyone one the market and got exactly what fit my needs.

 

[Ray 713]

Current sump tank measurements are 23” long x 10” wide and 16” tall. Just starting in this hobby, current setup there’s no room for a refugium but I would possibly like to set up a small one. Just purchased a skimmer - and no there no baffles in this sump so it’s left me scratching my head with the water levels. I have a heater which at this time there’s no room for w/ the skimmer.

 

[Ray 713]

Current sump tank measurements are 23” long x 10” wide and 16” tall. Just starting in this hobby, current setup there’s no room for a refugium but I would possibly like to set up a small one. Just purchased a skimmer - and no there no baffles in this sump so it’s left me scratching my head with the water levels. I have a heater which at this time there’s no room for w/ the skimmer.

 

[Dom]

That "looks" like an older Eshopps wet/dry sump and appears to be made of acrylic. Is it possible that the person you purchased it from built it themselves? Perhaps it was a tank before it became a sump? I find it odd that it doesn't have any partitions. But you can use this to your advantage.

You can turn this into an effective, simple sump. If you provide the sump dimensions and the footprint of the skimmer, we can make recommendations on how to partition the sump and what side to make the compartments.

 

[Ray 713]

The sump is indeed acrylic. I would have to ask the original owner of the setup but I don’t think they made it themselves although it’s possible. The sump dimensions are 23 in long by 10 in wide and 16 in tall. The footprint of the skimmer is 9 in by 9.5 in. Thanks for your help.

 

[Captain Quint]

Welcome to R2R Ray and thanks for sharing.

I see what you mean about the ~16g sump revamped perhaps from a wet/dry.

 

[Ray 713]

That "looks" like an older Eshopps wet/dry sump and appears to be made of acrylic. Is it possible that the person you purchased it from built it themselves? Perhaps it was a tank before it became a sump? I find it odd that it doesn't have any partitions. But you can use this to your advantage.

You can turn this into an effective, simple sump. If you provide the sump dimensions and the footprint of the skimmer, we can make recommendations on how to partition the sump and what side to make the compartments.

I looked up the Eshopps wet/dry and it’s very possible that’s what it is.

 

[Dom]

I looked up the Eshopps wet/dry and it’s very possible that’s what it is.

Unfortunately, there won't be much you can do with with a 24" sump. Half of the sump area will be taken up by the skimmer.

I would suggest splitting it evenly into two sections. You can place live rock on the input side with some egg crate on top on which to place filter media and the other side can hold the skimmer and return pump.

 

[Goodair]

Unfortunately, there won't be much you can do with with a 24" sump. Half of the sump area will be taken up by the skimmer.

I would suggest splitting it evenly into two sections. You can place live rock on the input side with some egg crate on top on which to place filter media and the other side can hold the skimmer and return pump.

I second this! Plan out how much room the first section will take with the socks, skimmer, heaters. Second for your return and an ato if your planning on using one. Also consider any additional equipment you might add (and be able to fit). Doesn't look like you can fit room for a refugium though. A double or triple baffle might be enough.