Starting a 30 gallon tank

[tina.damos]

It would work hanging in the display tank, but not really appealing for some. Remember a skimmer needs a well controlled water level. The sump would do that for the display tank. The evaporated water lowers the level in the sump return, not the display. So the hob skimmer would work fine in th DT.

I hope I can fit it all on the sump but since I already purchased it there isn't any going back on it. I can maybe sell it and get a smaller one for in the sump but in case I can't I wanted to make sure it will work on the DT if I have to leave it that way. Thank you for your help!

 

[sponge]

What are the dimensions of the stand , and how wide is the door ? I would want to go with as big of a tank you can place inside the stand,and have room to work and clean your system. I have been using a HOB refugium for many years on my 46B . The curved glass did not give me space underneath for a sump. I started the tank of with a canister filter with lousy results . It wasn't until I became antiquated with another fellow reefer addict .that he had belonged to a local reefer club ;that helped me out . He helped get me a second hand HOB from another member.That HOB has been running over 12 years with me no problems.I once tried a HOB skimmer in that tank ,but ended up taking it out.

 

[tina.damos]

What are the dimensions of the stand , and how wide is the door ? I would want to go with as big of a tank you can place inside the stand,and have room to work and clean your system. I have been using a HOB refugium for many years on my 46B . The curved glass did not give me space underneath for a sump. I started the tank of with a canister filter with lousy results . It wasn't until I became antiquated with another fellow reefer addict .that he had belonged to a local reefer club ;that helped me out . He helped get me a second hand HOB from another member.That HOB has been running over 12 years with me no problems.I once tried a HOB skimmer in that tank ,but ended up taking it out.

I just got home and measured the inside of the stand and a 10 gallon would fit in there just right. Now that I'm looking at it I think I can hang the skimmer on the back of it because there is no back to the stand. The door opening is just under 8 inches wide. I'm not sure how the skimmer works but it's my understanding I need to access the cup on top to empty it the most. As long as I can get to that I think I will be good. Now I have to figure out where to start with drilling and plumbing and everything. I have no idea. I was looking at some pre-made sumps but they can get pricey and the cheaper ones aren't set up to work for me I don't think.

 

[sponge]

I would like to add that a RO/DI water system is another important tool to have . It's a wonderful feeling having the ability to have water when you need it,and not have to wait for a store to open. Not sure if you had one or not so I'd thought to throw that out .

 

[tina.damos]

I would like to add that a RO/DI water system is another important tool to have . It's a wonderful feeling having the ability to have water when you need it,and not have to wait for a store to open. Not sure if you had one or not so I'd thought to throw that out .

Yea, that was on my list for down the road. The closest place to me is 30 minutes. I am trying to start this up on a budget. The tank was given to me and I am trying not to spend a fortune starting up but I do want to do it right. I figure I found a used skimmer already and it looks like I can make a sump for fairly cheap if I can figure out what and how to do it. Then I need the return pump for the other big expense for now. Just to get it up and running to start cycling as I add more. I figure I have a good month or so before I add any fish or anything once I get water in it.

 

[sponge]

If you can get the backed drilled great! Have two bulkheads one draining ,and one return with not that much space away from the wall ,You give yourself space to set a baffle for the skimmer ,then your return section.

 

[tina.damos]

Yea. I am going to make sure the glass is not tempered and then if I can drill. The tank will be cornered so I will have room for whatever behind the tank. I need to find myself a cheap 10 gallon tank. Closest petsmart or petco is a little over an hour away. Not sure how much they are at walmart. I found a good diy video for a 10 gallon sump with the baffle measurements and everything. Now to find the place to cut glass for me. Wondering if menards or home depot does that. Those are a half hour away.

 

[HawaiianReef]

If you find used 10g tanks, you can buy 2. Take one apart and use the glass. An inexpensive glass cutter is about 5-7 dollars I think. I did a 33 gallon sump this way. The 33 was 15 dollars (scratched) and I bought 4 10g tanks for 7ea. The sump only took one 10g tank to make.
I'm just saying if your trying to budget, the more you diy better. It's also quite rewarding and fun.
If your looking for an inexpensive overflow box (weir) you could try using square pvc. They use them a lot in vinyl fencing.

 

[Jesterrace]

People are going to disagree with me on this one, but I for one would never bother with a sump on a tank of less than 50 gallons simply because it adds a needless cost and degree of complexity to it. Stick with the tank as is, the HOB filter, the HOB skimmer and regular filter and water changes and a 30 gallon tank would be fine. Try it out and see if you like it, then spend the money on a bigger tank with a sump (since many people upgrade anyways). I ran a 36 gallon bowfront with a HOB Filter, HOB Skimmer and regular water changes and it did perfectly fine without a sump

 

[tina.damos]

People are going to disagree with me on this one, but I for one would never bother with a sump on a tank of less than 50 gallons simply because it adds a needless cost and degree of complexity to it. Stick with the tank as is, the HOB filter, the HOB skimmer and regular filter and water changes and a 30 gallon tank would be fine. Try it out and see if you like it, then spend the money on a bigger tank with a sump (since many people upgrade anyways). I ran a 36 gallon bowfront with a HOB Filter, HOB Skimmer and regular water changes and it did perfectly fine without a sump

I was don't have the room for bigger tanks so I was just looking at doing the sump for a cleaner look and easier water changes and maintenance. It all seems like a big headache for me right now though but I think it will be worth it in the end since this will be a tank I will have for a long time. It is still an option for me if I give up on the sump build. I'm not a very handy person to build stuff on my own so we will see. I appreciate the feedback though and will keep that as an option.

 

[HawaiianReef]

The idea of no sump on a smaller tank is solid. But you rely on wc as a primary means of controlling the tank. The sump makes it easier to pull out solids than a hob (imho). And the skimmer pulls out the proteins that usually make nutrients too high. So the only reason, really, why mist reefers set up a sump is to control parameters with equipment instead of wc. In the long haul, it could save you money on salt and ro/di water use.
And... Its just plain fun with a sump

 

[HawaiianReef]

If you got the sump route, you'll need a return pump and something for the water to get between the tank and sump. Pvc or just flexable hose at least. Start planning it out.
You'll first need to decide how much turn over or flow you want. Then research what size diameter tubing you need for your overflow (be sure to go a little bigger here). Then you can match that size with a bulkhead fitting. The bulkhead fitting makes a seal and provides a way to attach the pvc pipes of fittings (if you decide to use tubing) That fitting will tell you what size drill bit to use to drill the hole(s) in your tank. Next, pick out a pump. The pump's foot print will decide how you set up your sump. You need a bay seperate for your return pump so tje rest of the water in the sump stays constant (evaporation will lower the pump section) this is essential for your skimmer to be successful. You can also plan out how/ what mechanical filtration you want. This should be just as the water enters the sump from your overflow tubing.
That's it down below. Then up top, you have to think of how you want the wier to be. Drilling in the back would probably be the easiest way. All you need then is a box. Lots of info on YouTube on this.
It sounds harder than it is. But believe me, when your done, you'll be prouder about your tank than you could ever believe. And you will create a connection with it that will make the experience down the road just that much more rewarding and enjoyable.

 

[Jesterrace]

I was don't have the room for bigger tanks so I was just looking at doing the sump for a cleaner look and easier water changes and maintenance. It all seems like a big headache for me right now though but I think it will be worth it in the end since this will be a tank I will have for a long time. It is still an option for me if I give up on the sump build. I'm not a very handy person to build stuff on my own so we will see. I appreciate the feedback though and will keep that as an option.

Hate to tell you but water changes and maintenance really aren't improved much by a sump, especially on a tank that size with a small sump. I have the exact same water change regimen on my 36 gallon as I do on my 90 gallon (ie 10 gallon one week and 5 gallons the next) and my 36 actually had more fish than my 90 gallon currently does. You don't necessarily have to use one, but I do use a filter sock on my sump and they have to be changed weekly and washed in between uses to keep them from building up nitrates. I didn't have to deal with that on my 36 gallon. You will also have an extra piece of equipment to buy in the form of a return pump. It will provide a somewhat cleaner look, but I would be very wary drilling an older tank like that. I know it sounds like I am really pushing the issue, but if you want I can let you do a direct comparison between my two setups to see the difference:

My old 36 gallon:


My current 90 gallon:

 

[HawaiianReef]

Really nice setups. Do you run an ato on the 36 woth the skimmer?
I think you got my reply mixed with tina's. I was saying that having the sump cuts down on wc. I think she was referring to just having easier wc/maintenance.
I completely agree that a sump is Not necessary to be successful. I have a 75 qt/holding tank that has been up for almost 3 months. Just a heater, 2 powerheads and a skimmer in the tank. The skimmer helps, but the water lever messes it up now and then (no ato). I also have a 33 long pest tank filled with mushrooms and anenomes, worms, thousands of mysis shrimp and a bunch of other critters. I have no filter. 2 powerheads, an empty magnum 350 and a heater. This has been up for a few months. Just weekly wc like the 75 qt. (Has tons of algae now. My wife was feeding the arrow crab in there once to twice a day. Thats about 1/4 cube of brine shrimp a day )
But my 55 is running a 30g sump. I have a low bio load. 4 fish and a few corals. I was doing weekly wc, then I threw in a large skimmer and a refugium. I haven't done a wc since Dec 26. No nitrates/phos. I do dose 2 part and I dont feed any dry foods. I dont think I could do this without my equipment.
Its not necessarily the sump that helps, but the equipment used in the sump. Yes you could use hob equipment on the 35g tank. I think it would be easier to preform the maintenance using a sump rather than hob filters. But that's just me.
Truth of it, both ways can be successful. Just depends on what you desire as a final display.

 

[Jesterrace]

Truth be told ATO are convenient but they scare the heck out of me so I do manual top off and don't use ATO on either tank. My LFS actually has to move because the float valve on their ATO system got stuck and flooded their neighbors before they figured out what the problem was. Obviously I wouldn't have that kind of water volume but even an extra 5 gallons of RODI water dumped into my tank at the wrong moment could cause some serious havoc even if it didn't overflow. It's low tech but each day when I shut off the return pump and skimmer I check the water level in my sump. Once it drops below a certain level on my baffles I top off with RODI until it is back to where it should be. Seems to work well and I haven't had any wild change in my salinity.

 

[HawaiianReef]

I lost a large tote of bubble tips and some beautiful mushroom from a float valve to my rodi. I know what you mean. Made me start looking into a controller. I kind of do the same. I elevate a bucket and siphon water in through an airline. Slower, but its a little less impact on the tenants. And it gives me an excuse to stare at them longer.

 

[Jesterrace]

I lost a large tote of bubble tips and some beautiful mushroom from a float valve to my rodi. I know what you mean. Made me start looking into a controller. I kind of do the same. I elevate a bucket and siphon water in through an airline. Slower, but its a little less impact on the tenants. And it gives me an excuse to stare at them longer.

That's actually the method I use for my water changes.

 

[savetheocean]

I just gravity drain it into the sump.