Sump or No Sump?

Shep · Jun 26, 2015

Thinking of setting up a 4ob but do not know if I should drill in and do a sump or not. I have never done one before and was wondering how difficult they are to build, plumb and set up. Also how hard is it to drill a tank? Any advice is appreciated!!!

steve&mari · Jun 26, 2015

We do the 40b with a 29g sump personally I'd never run a reef without one. Additional water volume helps with stability,have place for a good skimmer and equipment. Also gives a fuge area for lr rubble and macro for pods to thrive n export nutrients. Ours is reef ready and previously we used a hob overflow box on nondrilled tanks. So no help as far as drilling goes. We just used a petco dollar a gallon tank n got baffles cut at Lowe's we siliconed into place. Petco has another dollar a gallon sale starting Sunday. Hope this helps.

Shep · Jun 26, 2015

It dhelps a lot! How did you like the HoB overflows? I was looking at that option but have heard they can be problematic.

Stephanie11 · Jun 26, 2015

Sump for sure! I use a 40b with 29 sump. Not hard to plumb or drill at all. Hob overflows are ok. ill snap some pics.

Shep · Jun 26, 2015

Stephanie11 said:
Sump for sure! I use a 40b with 29 sump. Not hard to plumb or drill at all. Hob overflows are ok. ill snap some pics.

Please do!

iratherBfishing · Jun 26, 2015

What about all the wet floors

hunter01975 · Jun 26, 2015

drilling is easy. just go slow and make sure you keep putting water on the cut to cool the blade.
glassholes has hole kits drill bits and overflow boxes and bulkheads included.

steve&mari · Jun 26, 2015

When we used a hob we had a CPR overflow has a fitting for a Tom's aqua lifter pump so it doesn't lose flow. We ran it for 5 years without a issue never stopped unless lost power n always set sump to accommodate the extra water for such emergency. We were going same route this time but came across a 40b rimless with starfire glass reef ready for 100 bucks so jumped on it.

Shep · Jun 26, 2015

Are ready-made sumps worth the cost?

SPS_ · Jun 26, 2015

I have used plain tanks as a sump, but I had a tunze ato to keep it level for a skimmer. Ready mades are nice too. Up to you if you want to diy baffles or want the aesthetics.