Sump build question

Gladfelter · Apr 22, 2013

Question of the day. Due to how tall the 55 would be in my stand I have decided against it. I wouldn't really be able to get the collection cup out of my tank. That leaves me a with some different ideas. I have a 29 gallon sump already that I could go with just no room for a refugium. I could hook this up until I get a custom sump made. The other thing going through my head is can I cut a 55 Gallon down a few inches?

Third Idea, how hard would it be to connect two 29 gallons, one sump one refugium/return

This is for a 125 gallon reef ready build.

Isoprene · Apr 22, 2013

I dont have any idea about any of your questions except the 2x tank ref / sump. In my opinion, the more tanks, holes, bulk heads, and areas water need to flow through means more margin for error. The cleaner and more direct the system (Tank -----> sump) the less margin for error. Especially if your poor like me and cannot afford all the fancy ball valves and reactors and cutting a million holes..etc etc.

Isoprene · Apr 22, 2013

O and I don't think you would be able to cut a 55 down a few inches? Maybe someone with more experience here can chime in, not an expert on glass cutting by any means but the logistics of cutting that are insane in my opinion. Have you thought of putting baffles in the 55 so that the skimmer sits at a lower water level in the sump and can still function properly?

Or is the 55 so tall that you literally can not remove the collection cup from the skimmer once everything is in place?