outdoor sump for 180

[Salinas Hawk]

I'm considering a 100-200 gallon outdoor sump for a 180 gallon tank. It will be a fowlr for about a year, and then I plan to convert it to a reef.

Can somebody explain the pros and cons of a huge sump. Just for the purpose of instruction, what would happen if I set up a 500 gallon outdoor sump (for the 180 mentioned above)?

Specific questions:
1. Could I do water changes outside via the sump? (why not?)

2. Would my tank support more fish?

3. Would I need a bigger skimmer?

Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

Salinas Hawk

 

[LegoZ81]

you would need to somehow seal off the top of the sump so water and contaminates can not get into the sump. also depending on temps it could raise or lower your tank temp to unacceptable and uncorrectable levels, unless you added more liverock in the sump and upsized the skimmer the amount of fish that could be added to the tank would be the same. With most fish it is more of a size in the tank vs a biological/nutrient issue.
Depending on regulations you might be able to get into trouble if you get caught dumping water into places that could run off into the ocean due to non-native invasive species (aka calurpa etc)

 

[inactive]

I wouldn't do a outside sump here.. Too much rain/cold weather. You would be putting heaters through hell trying to keep temp IMO.

 

[EliteReefs]

i dont know how much help he will be since he does not know you but contact the owner of a place called rockin reef in stpete FL. his name is tom. he has a HUGE out door sump system. 1000's of gallons for live rock growing. really neat stuff. i'm sure he would give you all the info you could ever need.

 

[Troylee]

you would need to somehow seal off the top of the sump so water and contaminates can not get into the sump. also depending on temps it could raise or lower your tank temp to unacceptable and uncorrectable levels, unless you added more liverock in the sump and upsized the skimmer the amount of fish that could be added to the tank would be the same. With most fish it is more of a size in the tank vs a biological/nutrient issue.
Depending on regulations you might be able to get into trouble if you get caught dumping water into places that could run off into the ocean due to non-native invasive species (aka calurpa etc)

i couldnt have said it better myself...
now a garage is a different story..when you say outside we are taking it that it would be exposed to elements?? or on a patio where you could enclose it maybe?? need some more info...

 

[Salinas Hawk]

thanks everybody

The outdoor sump would be outside, but I would place the sump in a large rubbermaid container with a lid, or a small shed. If I insulate it well and use a big heater, I should be ok. Salinas has one of the mildest climates in the world; thus all the agriculture here.

I plan to put some live rock in the sump.

I didn't think of the size of the tank being a limitation for the number of fish, but now that LegoZ81 mentioned it that makes a lot of sense.

Nevertheless, I'm gonna try the outdoor sump. I'm going for silence.

Any tips on silent indoor pumps and what not would also be appreciated.

Thanks again,
Salinas Hawk

 

[Harry_Y]

I dont see why it would not work

Other than heat loss but a cover, shed,
insulation etc would help with that.

I have a 180 and I have a 100 Gallon sump

 

[Jade]

Temp. and contamination would be my big worries.