Sump tank

[dirty_south87]

I’ve been tossing around the idea of replacing my sump for a bigger one. After some research “the bigger the better” keeps showing up on everything I seen. So I figure I come here to get some ideas on it wether personal experience or just knowledge on it. What do you think?

 

[dstockwell]

Depends on what you're trying to accomplish. Bigger equipment, refugium, currently not enough space, etc.

 

[dirty_south87]

Depends on what you're trying to accomplish. Bigger equipment, refugium, currently not enough space, etc.

Well my current tank don’t have multiple compartments in it so I’m not able to add a protein skimmer while also trying to do refuge. I also believe that it is a possibility that when I bought my entire setup (used) they went to small on the sump tank.

 

[dstockwell]

I use two connected to each other, because mine was also to small.

 

[dirty_south87]

I use two connected to each other, because mine was also to small.

I have considered that myself but unfortunately the doors to my stand is not big enough to slide a tank in or out. When/if I do a bigger tank I’m gonna have to put it on the other side of the wall in to a room.

 

[RedoubtReef]

In my experience, there are no downsides to expanding total system volume with large sumps and refugiums. Go big!

 

[dirty_south87]

In my experience, there are no downsides to expanding total system volume with large sumps and refugiums. Go big!

Does it help more to go bigger? Just curious if that’s something I need to do sooner rather than later

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

how much "bigger" can a sump get?

Bigger is always better, but just 2% or 5% increase is not really reason for the effort and cost of the upgrade. If getting like 25% more then it would be worth it. Of course, I'm just giving numbers as example, but you get my meaning right?

 

[RedoubtReef]

Does it help more to go bigger? Just curious if that’s something I need to do sooner rather than later

For my 80 display, I went from a 20 gallon refugium and a 40 gallon sump to a 75 gallon refugium and a 75 gallon sump and all nuisance algae disappeared from display and the corals never looked better. There's also the old saying, "the solution to pollution is dilution".
Every situation can be different depending on your space. So go as big as is reasonable for your situation. I don't have the space anymore for my previous setup and now I'm down to a 40 gallon refugium and 40 gallons of sump.

 

[dirty_south87]

how much "bigger" can a sump get?

Bigger is always better, but just 2% or 5% increase is not really reason for the effort and cost of the upgrade. If getting like 25% more then it would be worth it. Of course, I'm just giving numbers as example, but you get my meaning right?

I see where you are coming from. I’ve been looking online for a new one. The ones I like and consider are twice the size I have now if not almost tripled

 

[dirty_south87]

For my 80 display, I went from a 20 gallon refugium and a 40 gallon sump to a 75 gallon refugium and a 75 gallon sump and all nuisance algae disappeared from display and the corals never looked better. There's also the old saying, "the solution to pollution is dilution".
Every situation can be different depending on your space. So go as big as is reasonable for your situation. I don't have the space anymore for my previous setup and now I'm down to a 40 gallon refugium and 40 gallons of sump.

I know from what I read you don’t want less than 20% of your actual display level. Never considered how big due to being unsure, from your experience it seems to be a lot better as I’m understanding