Sump Size, Depth.

[Hugh Mann]

Looking to source a sump for my new to me 265. The cabinet it sits on has a 84Lx25Wx30H space underneath. Due to where it is sitting, I at most can put a 76" long sump inside, by removing a side panel and sliding it in.

Anyways, I am trying to figure out what is the optimal sump size for a 265. The best and most common answer I get is "The biggest one I can fit"

Well, I have two readily available options.

There is a used 80 gallon tank, 76x13x17 for dirt cheap in my area. I am concerned that it doesn't have enough width/depth to it.

I also have a 120 gallon tank that has several chips in the glass, which may be safe to use half full. It's 72x19x20

I don't have the budget for a fancy purpose built sump, so I was going to slicone in baffles for skimmer, refugium and return. Space permitting I'd add a section for reactors and other miscellaneous equipment.

 

[vetteguy53081]

36" L X 15" deep should be adequate

 

[fishguy242]

hi ,what about just standard 75 gall,would not trust chipped 120,and the 13" is too thin

 

[CubsFan]

I’d really have to see the chips in the tank to pass judgment. There’s chips and then there’s CHIPS AHOY! I also think a 75 gallon is a good choice. Pretty affordable and enough volume and space for your needs. You’ll also be able to fit a nice sized ATO container in there. The more space that’s free is also a bonus because it’s tough to work in a space that’s too congested. I’m not sure bigger is better for everyone, but that’s how reefkeepers roll.

 

[Hugh Mann]

I’d really have to see the chips in the tank to pass judgment. There’s chips and then there’s CHIPS AHOY! I also think a 75 gallon is a good choice. Pretty affordable and enough volume and space for your needs. You’ll also be able to fit a nice sized ATO container in there. The more space that’s free is also a bonus because it’s tough to work in a space that’s too congested. I’m not sure bigger is better for everyone, but that’s how reefkeepers roll.

A 75 would be a very good choice. If I can find one at the right price. A new tank that size in my area would cost half as much as I paid for the 265.

I did find a 40 breeder today, it's got decent length, width and depth. I just assumed 40 gallons would be too small, likely overflow in a power outage.

 

[fishguy242]

40 too small,chunks too big,would not trust that corner if can deal with 13 wide 76 is pretty long

 

[CubsFan]

A 75 would be a very good choice. If I can find one at the right price. A new tank that size in my area would cost half as much as I paid for the 265.

I did find a 40 breeder today, it's got decent length, width and depth. I just assumed 40 gallons would be too small, likely overflow in a power outage.

It’s not so much the chips I don’t like as much as it’s the dimensions. There is a couple chips in there that would make me nervous. That’s gonna be a lot of water in a disaster situation. Better safe than sorry in this hobby for me. I get trying to stay on a budget. Once a tank that big gets set up, it can be a headache to make changes I’d imagine. Best to set it up so that you’ll be satisfied for the long run.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Agreed. While it is in my unfinished basement, and my sump pump could somewhat ironically deal with the sump water, definitely a big pain in the butt.

It's still going to be a couple months before I have the time to set up this beast, so I am sure I can source something that would be suitable. Buy once, cry once in this hobby.

 

[Hugh Mann]

40 too small,chunks too big,would not trust that corner if can deal with 13 wide 76 is pretty long

What is the difference a shorter, wider tank would make vs a longer, narrower tank, if all the required equipment fits?

I've never run a sump before, but I would have thought it's more a volume thing?
Or would it also be the depth of the tank as well?

 

[fishguy242]

no difference just needs to fit all your needs and be large enough to hold all water ,in failure of power and or check valves!

 

[S2G]

Both bad options. What would you think about this?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubbermaid-structural-foam-stock-tanks-100-gal-capacity?cm_vc=-10005

 

[Hugh Mann]

no difference just needs to fit all your needs and be large enough to hold all water ,in failure of power and or check valves!

Any tips how to figure out what extra volume would be needed in the event of power/equipment failure? This thing has dual overflows, then it would be whatever is in the pipes and back siphons out of the return?

 

[Hugh Mann]

Both bad options. What would you think about this?

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubbermaid-structural-foam-stock-tanks-100-gal-capacity?cm_vc=-10005

I don't know how I would go about converting that into a sump with different sections and whatnot?

 

[schuby]

If you want to run the Triton method (no regular water changes) at some point in the future, then the size of the refugium should be between 10% and 20% of the volume of the display tank. (From https://www.triton.de/en/triton-method-slide)

I sized my sump based on this recommendation, but never implemented the Triton method.

 

[fishguy242]

i am sure there is a calculator for that,i know as fact 75 gallon will hold overflow from 240 gal with 2" height to spare

 

[Hugh Mann]

Might be tedious, but I think one could do something like calculate the inside volume of the various pipes, how much water is above the return, volume of the overflows, etc.

The way the returns were set up when I bought it looks like they were pretty much right at the surface.

240 with 2" to spare on a 75, may cut it real close with a 265.

 

[fishguy242]

thinking the 80 would cover it ???

 

[Kazumi]

You can pickup a brand new 75 gallon from Petco for $100, since they are on sale currently. Oh, just noticed that you can get another 10% off if you do curbside pickup too.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Canadian. Don't have petco up here unfortunately, otherwise that would be great idea.

 

[S2G]

I don't know how I would go about converting that into a sump with different sections and whatnot?

A lot of people have problems wrapping their mind around baffles aren't necessary, but it's easy to setup. Eggcrate is your friend. Now it's not going to look like a bahsea. Tons of threads out there for ideas.

Rubbermade stock tank sump designs

I'm am considering using a 100-150 gallon Rubbermade stock tank for a sump. It will go in a dedicated filter room for my 300 gallon tank. I'm looking for setup ideas. Does anyone have any drawings or pictures? Are there any major drawbacks vs a traditional sump?

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