Sump suggestions for 90 gallon

Chiefmaster30 · Feb 5, 2017

Just upgraded to a 90 gallon tank. What size sump would you all suggest? I definitely want a refugium section also. Tank can't be drilled so I'm ping to have to go with an overflow box. Also, what size return pump and overflow would you recommend?i am thinking I need 800 Gph turnover. I've never had a sump before so it's all new to me. Any ideas, etc. much appreciated.

Brew12 · Feb 5, 2017

Chiefmaster30 said:
Just upgraded to a 90 gallon tank. What size sump would you all suggest? I definitely want a refugium section also. Tank can't be drilled so I'm ping to have to go with an overflow box. Also, what size return pump and overflow would you recommend?i am thinking I need 800 Gph turnover. I've never had a sump before so it's all new to me. Any ideas, etc. much appreciated.

I wouldn't go with more than 450 gph. Others disagree but I feel more flow than that is just extra noise.
As for size? Biggest you can fit leaving room for extra equipment

Will2287 · Feb 5, 2017

I would highly recommend getting a E shop sump I run one on my tank and I love it and it has a built-in refugium and as far as a pump you can use a mag nine . Here's a photo of mine

Chiefmaster30 · Feb 5, 2017

What size eshopps sump?

Chiefmaster30 · Feb 5, 2017

Do I buy the same size return pump and overflow?

Will2287 · Feb 5, 2017

http://www.eshopps.com/products/filters/refugium/r300/

Will2287 · Feb 5, 2017

Chiefmaster30 said:
Do I buy the same size return pump and overflow?

You decide on which overflow to get based on the size of your aquarium go to E shop.com they sell those as well I'm not sure of the exact one you would need but I know for sure that they will tell you which one for which size aquarium

Brew12 · Feb 5, 2017

Will2287 said:
You decide on which overflow to get based on the size of your aquarium go to E shop.com they sell those as well I'm not sure of the exact one you would need but I know for sure that they will tell you which one for which size aquarium

You don't have problems with bubbles from your skimmer getting back up into your display? That seems to be a common complaint but I like many of the features the sump offers.
I would go with higher flow with this sump since the refugium and skimmer sections are fed separately. You might want to get closer to that 800gph-900gph flow.

FishGuyBri · Feb 5, 2017

Will2287 said:
I would highly recommend getting a E shop sump I run one on my tank and I love it and it has a built-in refugium and as far as a pump you can use a mag nine . Here's a photo of mine

Yep I have a 90 and the eshopps R-200 and love it... for the most part.

ironman20725 · Feb 5, 2017

I have a 30 gallon sump on my 90

CzNik2 · Feb 5, 2017

Im planning a 90 reef and for my stand the biggest sump I can fit is a 38 gallon which I'll be making it to my needs... good luck ...

jlancas81 · Feb 5, 2017

here is a 40 breeder under my 90 gallon. I love footprint and not too high.

Fin · Feb 5, 2017

Are you sure you can't drill the tank? Most tanks that use tempered glass, usually only temper the bottom. You could go with a "ghost style" overflow and drill the back - if it is not an unusual situation that has a tempered back glass. Definitely check it first. Life will be so much simpler if you don't use a HOB overflow.

As far as a sump goes, 40B are hard to beat. If you want it to look really nice, you could use a kit like this. If you want something nicer, you might want to look at the Elite Aquatics Sumps. That is what I got and I am very pleased with it.

Chiefmaster30 · Feb 5, 2017

I'm not sure. It has a sticker on the bottom that says tempered glass.

Fin · Feb 5, 2017

My 40B sump had a sticker like that on the bottom and I drilled about 10 holes in the back glass and one side. Look on YouTube and you can find a video to show you how to use a computer screen, or cell phone, along with some polarized sunglasses to check for tempered glass.

txreefer · Feb 5, 2017

I would drill the back. Usually the back isn't tempered. I would then use a 30-36" long sump of the brand of your choice lots of good ones out there. Me personally I went with bashsea.

Chiefmaster30 · Feb 6, 2017

Why do y'all say life will be much simpler if I drill versus hob overflow?

Fin · Feb 6, 2017

Because, if the HOB ever loses siphon (and they can), there will be nowhere for the water returning from your sump to go - except overflowing the tank and onto your floor. I have never used one, but I have had to baby sit one (135 gallon) a couple of times for a friend of mine when he went out of town. Both times he left me responsible for it, the tank overflowed. HUGE mess. With a drilled overflow, that won't happen. That said, people still continue to use them and while it may work for you most of the time, it is a risk that is really unnecessary these days.