On a budget sump and protein skimmer

[Chicken_Biscuit]

So been trying to do research and trying to find a good sump and skimmer. I have found the IcecCp reef sump 15 and k1-100 from IceCap. Not only am I working with a tight budget but I’m dealing with tight spaces. My tank is a 75 gallon light stocked reef. Also need return and intake pump suggestions please.

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[JC1977]

So been trying to do research and trying to find a good sump and skimmer. I have found the IcecCp reef sump 15 and k1-100 from IceCap. Not only am I working with a tight budget but I’m dealing with tight spaces. My tank is a 75 gallon light stocked reef. Also need return and intake pump suggestions please.

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Bubble magus curve 5 is a good budget skimmer for a 75 gallon. Jaebo pumps are going to be your best bet on a budget. Trigger had a crystal series for sumps that are more affordable. More importantly they’re all good quality for the $$

 

[Reefering1]

"Intake pump"???

 

[cilyjr]

"Intake pump"???

Good question

 

[cilyjr]

To the OP, in case that means what I think It means, you cannot pump from the top tank to the bottom tank and then pump back up without a large amount of water ending up on the floor pretty quickly.

There are always exceptions but it is unlikely you will have success with that.

 

[JC1977]

To the OP, in case that means what I think It means, you cannot pump from the top tank to the bottom tank and then pump back up without a large amount of water ending up on the floor pretty quickly.

There are always exceptions but it is unlikely you will have success with that.

Yeah i missed the intake pump part of the question good catch

 

[Reefering1]

So been trying to do research and trying to find a good sump and skimmer. I have found the IcecCp reef sump 15 and k1-100 from IceCap. Not only am I working with a tight budget but I’m dealing with tight spaces. My tank is a 75 gallon light stocked reef. Also need return and intake pump suggestions please.

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By "lightly stocked reef", I take that to mean this tank is already running and doesn't have a overflow, and you want to add a sump(?).. if so you would need to either drill the tank or add a hob overflow, or transfer to a drilled tank. Trying to make two pumps match flow is a disaster about to happen..

 

[Chicken_Biscuit]

I mean getting the water from the main tank to the sump and then return pump. I have someone giving me a hob overflow I made a typo. This will be my first sump I make and new to the reef hobby. And the tank doesn’t have fish just an eel and other invertebrates. I had a nasty encounter with velvet.

 

[Reefering1]

The hob overflow will get the water to sump, you only need a return pump to get the water back up to display. As mentioned, jabeo pumps will get you the most bang for the buck. Choose something a but stronger than you think you need, you can always dial it back some. Make sure to research and understand the hob overflow so you can set it up properly

 

[JC1977]

I mean getting the water from the main tank to the sump and then return pump. I have someone giving me a hob overflow I made a typo. This will be my first sump I make and new to the reef hobby. And the tank doesn’t have fish just an eel and other invertebrates. I had a nasty encounter with velvet.

What brand HOB are you using? They’re not all created equal. Ideally you want one that will keep siphon during a power outage

 

[cilyjr]

Ok good deal.

As mentioned, the bubble magus is a reasonable budget skimmer. I have used both the five, seven and nine at various points and all have performed well.

As far as sumps are concerned, if you really want to save money, getting a small glass aquarium that will fit in your cabinet will be your cheapest option. You can search for DIY sumps here on this forum.

Jebao return pumps will probably be your cheapest option.

 

[Chicken_Biscuit]

What brand HOB are you using? They’re not all created equal. Ideally you want one that will keep siphon during a power outage

So right now I’m using a canister filter and that got me through alright but retained a lot of phosphates and algae is going crazy that’s why I wanna upgrade and I didn’t know anything about saltwater and reefing. I have a mentor in the hobby that’s willing to give me his old overflow but don’t know what brand it is.

 

[pdjemail]

I have a 75G with a 20G long sump, Bubble Magus Curve 5 protein skinner, Jebao return pump, all running well for 3 years. I also use a small bubble magus filter roller, grow chaeto with a hyger under water light. Nitrate about 1 ppm

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I would chose this skimmer
120DC In-Sump Protein Skimmer
Why it is not prone to overflow. The pump is adjustable. You can get parts easily. Good C/S they answer the phone.

 

[jda]

Check your local marketplaces for skimmers. In Denver, there are some older ASM skimmers on there from time to time for between $20-50 that are better than many skimmers sold today. There were junk skimmer that were older, just like there are junk skimmers made today. Do your research and you can likely find a really good one for pretty cheap.

 

[FUNGI]

So been trying to do research and trying to find a good sump and skimmer. I have found the IcecCp reef sump 15 and k1-100 from IceCap. Not only am I working with a tight budget but I’m dealing with tight spaces. My tank is a 75 gallon light stocked reef. Also need return and intake pump suggestions please.

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Cant beat that price.......$81.00

CoralVue | Broken Tank

The CoralVue Outlet and Parts Store consists of overstock, open box, closeout, refurbished items, and replacement parts from top-performing aquarium supply brands such as Reef Octopus, Abyzz, IceCap, and more. All outlet items have passed a rigorous inspection and are backed by a 90-day warranty.

store.coralvue.com

 

[FUNGI]

and the sump.....$153.00
I think get both and free shipping......

CoralVue | Broken Tank

The CoralVue Outlet and Parts Store consists of overstock, open box, closeout, refurbished items, and replacement parts from top-performing aquarium supply brands such as Reef Octopus, Abyzz, IceCap, and more. All outlet items have passed a rigorous inspection and are backed by a 90-day warranty.

store.coralvue.com

Even the pumps are on clearance.....

Heres the link for their outlet store...

CoralVue | Outlet Products

CoralVue is a manufacturer of OEM products and exclusive distributor representing a wide range of industry-leading brands for freshwater and marine aquaria including Reef Octopus, Maxspect, Abyzz, Waveline, RLSS, Giesemann, ELOS, AutoAqua, IceCap, Radium and many more! CoralVue excels at...

store.coralvue.com

 

[Chicken_Biscuit]

thanks everyone for the help. So here’s the build I’ve put together using your guys suggestions. I got the IceCap 15 and a reefing buddy is selling me his curve 5 he’s been running for a few months and I’m getting a vivosun 800gph from amazon which I’ve ran before and have no bad experience with them yet and they’re cheap so not an issue if I have to get another. As for the overflow I’m still waiting for my other buddy to get his old overflow he’s gonna give me. Other than that, am I missing anything?

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

How much room under the stand do you have?
How much room from the top of the sump to the bottom of the top of the stand?
What looks like it is going to fit is not necessarily what is going to fit.

 

[Chicken_Biscuit]

How much room under the stand do you have?
How much room from the top of the sump to the bottom of the top of the stand?
What looks like it is going to fit is not necessarily what is going to fit.

So I have about 2-2.5 inches of wiggle space both sides when the sump is added but then about 35 inches going up after the sump is added. It’s half of the whole stand long ways but I don’t wanna take out the supports in the middle.