Sump to big?

[reef_daze]

I'm starting a build on paper of our next build/upgrade reef tank. I was thinking 80 gal. display with 40 gal. sump. Just curious if there is such thing as to big of a sump. I can understand if its not necessary but just wanted to know if it would do more harm then good.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

I'm starting a build on paper of our next build/upgrade reef tank. I was thinking 80 gal. display with 40 gal. sump. Just curious if there is such thing as to big of a sump. I can understand if its not necessary but just wanted to know if it would do more harm then good.

Nope. No such thing as a sump to big. My dad has a 150 with a 75 gallon sump. The bigger the fuge section, the better

 

[Crabs McJones]

The bigger the better, more water volume and better stability

 

[Flippers4pups]

I'm starting a build on paper of our next build/upgrade reef tank. I was thinking 80 gal. display with 40 gal. sump. Just curious if there is such thing as to big of a sump. I can understand if its not necessary but just wanted to know if it would do more harm then good.

Bigger is always better. More water, more room for equipment. Space restrictions under a stand dictates most sumps. Basement sumps open up those possibilities.

 

[andrewkw]

If you're planning on putting it inside the stand under the tank and it doesn't fit that can be an issue.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

In general, no, you cannot have a sump that's too big. But before you go with a larger sump, consider the impacts of a larger system volume. You need more water and salt ($) for larger water changes. A 20% water change becomes much more water. Where do you mix/store it? You need to dose more ($) to achieve the same ppm., etc.

If possible, I'd have a sump the size of the ocean, but that's just me. Larger systems in general see much less erratic swings.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

The only cons I can see to having a much larger sump is they usually take up the whole cabinet. My dads takes up the ENTIRE cabinet from side to side. So you might not have room for dosing stuff etc but if the cabinet is high enough or you have space, you could put a cabinet next to the tank for it. And remember people, if he says a “40 gallon sump” chances are he means a 40b with a sump baffle kit. With a setup like that, the sump is usually only half full when running. So it would really only be about 20 gallons.

 

[motortrendz]

So currently my display is about 80gallons. I had a 20gL sump under that tank. I recently built a new sump in my basement with the eventual tank upgrade in mind (230g display) so I built a 75g acrylic sump and added a 30g frag tank. So basically my sump and frag tank have more volume than my display. Lol. Only thing I noticed is now I'm figiting a super low nutrient issue... if that's really a bad thing lol.

More water volume more stability, I'd rather have to dose a little or feed heavier to increase nutrients than to be struggling to lower them.

 

[reef_daze]

awesome thanks everyone for the replies. I kinda figured it wasn't a issue and more beneficial. Sort of a silly questions I thought but figured it was worth the ask. Never had DT with sump. Excited for this build!

We currently have...
IM40 AIO
IM10 AIO
Fluval 13.5 AIO
and the one our thumnail...5gal AIO

 

[reef_daze]

The only cons I can see to having a much larger sump is they usually take up the whole cabinet. My dads takes up the ENTIRE cabinet from side to side. So you might not have room for dosing stuff etc but if the cabinet is high enough or you have space, you could put a cabinet next to the tank for it. And remember people, if he says a “40 gallon sump” chances are he means a 40b with a sump baffle kit. With a setup like that, the sump is usually only half full when running. So it would really only be about 20 gallons.

yes your def. right! I'm having custom stand build so no issues there, it will be larger then tank. But I was thinking (sump only half full) should I maybe go one size up instead of the 40 sump. Just wanted to make sure no real issues to having a bigger sump.

 

[Quietman]

Sump too big? Too many corals? Job pays too much? Kids too smart? Wife too happy?

Ah, the troubles I wish I had to deal with.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Sump too big? Too many corals? Job pays too much? Kids too smart? Wife too happy?

Ah, the troubles I wish I had to deal with.

Amen

 

[45ZoaGarden]

The 40 should be fine.

 

[theMeat]

As mentioned the bigger the better. Just gottta watch you don’t go too tall so you have room above to get in there, remove skimmer and whatnot

 

[reef_daze]

As mentioned the bigger the better. Just gottta watch you don’t go too tall so you have room above to get in there, remove skimmer and whatnot

good point

 

[ca1ore]

I think the benefits of extra water just for the sake of extra water are overblown, but having extra space in the sump for equipment, hairbrained experiments or just a bit of extra elbow room is well worth a bigger sump.