Question about adding very large sump

[hrdneglcry]

I have a 4 foot 120 display tank with a 30 gallon sump. I recently got a 125 gallon 6 foot sump that I think I can manage to fit under my 120. I have heard that more water in a system is a good thing. I know some zoos use this. I could use some input on setting up the 125 under the 120 for a sump. I would have to build some support and it would stick out the end of the stand by two feet on one end. It would be taller under the tank with 3.5" less of room to put things in or take things out directly beneath the tank. It might look odd. But its a nice sump. I could put a lot of live rock in it to add to filtration. My good heaters would fit inside of it.
Current tank and sump...
and the 125 sump

 

[Tcook]

Not sure I would like that sticking out the end of the stand. With only 3” above will make it difficult to service pumps, heaters, skimmer.

 

[bushdoc]

Running cost of reef tank start to grow exponentially above certain volume. You will need to upgrade heaters, chiller ( if needed),return pump, water changes will cost you more. I think benefits of 120 gal sump are lower than running cost and other issues related to it.

 

[hrdneglcry]

Originally this was going to be underneath a 180 that broke during moving. The skimmer would sit in the part that would stick out. I'd have to see for sure how much space I would have. Now I have this massive sump though. I am not sure what I am going to do with it. I have it for sale. I don't know if I will set it up. I meant to have the 180 on standby. My grouper and my eels will eventually get bigger. I wanted the 180 for them. It will take awhile before I would be able to try this. I have Berghia in my system and i don't want to disturb them.

 

[Wen]

Hey there,
I’m all for larger sumps! While increasing water volume and extra space for equipment, it also provides opportunities to be creative.
With the extra space I’d consider: having 2 return pumps for redundancy, you could add sock holders, cryptic zone for sponges & worms, chamber to house a fish that may need special care, extra room for skimmer, larger fuge and so on.
The end of the sump that would extend beyond the display and into view; I’d make that into a mangrove fuge. Lit from a hanging bulb or a floor lamp, the mangrove could grow upwards.

Just some ideas.

Edit: reread you would have 3” clearance, that would be a servicing/maintenance nightmare.

 

[CBonito]

Hey there,
I’m all for larger sumps! While increasing water volume and extra space for equipment, it also provides opportunities to be creative.
With the extra space I’d consider: having 2 return pumps for redundancy, you could add sock holders, cryptic zone for sponges & worms, chamber to house a fish that may need special care, extra room for skimmer, larger fuge and so on.
The end of the sump that would extend beyond the display and into view; I’d make that into a mangrove fuge. Lit from a hanging bulb or a floor lamp, the mangrove could grow upwards.

Just some ideas.

Edit: reread you would have 3” clearance, that would be a servicing/maintenance nightmare.

Tell me about it! I made this mistake myself where getting to anything was difficult and I hated it. Just taking my skimmer out to clean it was a nightmare.
Ultimately it compromised the system's overall success. Every effort from the onset should be made to keep things maintenance friendly, or you are not going to be so inclined to do it.

 

[hrdneglcry]

Here it is. 125 6ft under a 120 4 foot. I out it in backwards from what I should have .And It is difficult to access the middel. But I have both ends sticking out enough for me to use them for what I need.