Trying to decide on a sump. Help?

[FishyFish]

I'm in the build process for my new 75g tank and currently deciding on a sump. I'm very new to the hobby with only 4 months experience and this will be my first time setting up a sump so I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed. I really don't know what makes a good sump so I could definitely use some expert advice! I know that I want to keep dragonets (hopefully 2 of them) so a big refugium section is an absolute must. I would also like for the refugium section to be after the skimmer so that more of the pods make it into the DT. Other than that, it just has to fit in my 48" stand with a little room to spare.

Right now, I'm torn between the Trigger Crystal 36 and the Trigger Sapphire 34. There's a $110 price difference between them and aside from a lot of bells and whistles the only feature I see that the Sapphire has over the Crystal is that the water level is adjustable. How important is an adjustable water level in your sump? If it's a feature that I might want, I'd rather just fork over the extra cash now.

I'm open to other sump suggestions too if anyone has some! Also, I will be drilling my tank if that makes any difference. Thanks!

 

[Sashaka]

I'm in the build process for my new 75g tank and currently deciding on a sump. I'm very new to the hobby with only 4 months experience and this will be my first time setting up a sump so I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed. I really don't know what makes a good sump so I could definitely use some expert advice! I know that I want to keep dragonets (hopefully 2 of them) so a big refugium section is an absolute must. I would also like for the refugium section to be after the skimmer so that more of the pods make it into the DT. Other than that, it just has to fit in my 48" stand with a little room to spare.

Right now, I'm torn between the Trigger Crystal 36 and the Trigger Sapphire 34. There's a $110 price difference between them and aside from a lot of bells and whistles the only feature I see that the Sapphire has over the Crystal is that the water level is adjustable. How important is an adjustable water level in your sump? If it's a feature that I might want, I'd rather just fork over the extra cash now.

I'm open to other sump suggestions too if anyone has some! Also, I will be drilling my tank if that makes any difference. Thanks!

You'll want to consider the size of your skimmer as well as any future reactors you may want to add later. IMHO, get the biggest sump you can afford. If you're handy, you can just buy a fish tank that best fits in your stand, get some glass cut at Home Depot, and create the specific sized sections for each department that you want. The sump style really depends on what you want to do with it. If you're keeping pods, you'll probably want a section with Cheato or some other micro algae, rock, and/or mud to offer the pods a place to hide, feed, and breed away from the skimmer (which usually sits in the largest department). Building the sump also allows you to design the height of your baffolds to the skimmer so a skimmer stand is not needed. There are some kits out there you can buy for this too: https://www.ebay.com/i/162171419860?chn=ps

If you can, colored glass is nice because you can target your light for the algae you want to keep and prevent nuisance algae from overtaking the rest of the sump.

 

[Hemmdog]

I'm in the build process for my new 75g tank and currently deciding on a sump. I'm very new to the hobby with only 4 months experience and this will be my first time setting up a sump so I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed. I really don't know what makes a good sump so I could definitely use some expert advice! I know that I want to keep dragonets (hopefully 2 of them) so a big refugium section is an absolute must. I would also like for the refugium section to be after the skimmer so that more of the pods make it into the DT. Other than that, it just has to fit in my 48" stand with a little room to spare.

Right now, I'm torn between the Trigger Crystal 36 and the Trigger Sapphire 34. There's a $110 price difference between them and aside from a lot of bells and whistles the only feature I see that the Sapphire has over the Crystal is that the water level is adjustable. How important is an adjustable water level in your sump? If it's a feature that I might want, I'd rather just fork over the extra cash now.

I'm open to other sump suggestions too if anyone has some! Also, I will be drilling my tank if that makes any difference. Thanks!

The adjustable water level is huge on the trigger sumps, great feature. If your skimmer is going nuts for an extended period of time you can fix issues by dropping the water level a bit, it’s really nice. Raising it is also nice due to extra system water volume and fuge room. I would do the sapphire 36, you will love it. I have 2 emerald 26’s myself. One on a 90 & one on a 40b. They are great sumps, one of the best imo.

 

[FishyFish]

The adjustable water level is huge on the trigger sumps, great feature. If your skimmer is going nuts for an extended period of time you can fix issues by dropping the water level a bit, it’s really nice. Raising it is also nice due to extra system water volume and fuge room. I would do the sapphire 36, you will love it. I have 2 emerald 26’s myself. One on a 90 & one on a 40b. They are great sumps, one of the best imo.

Thanks so much! It definitely sounds like the adjustable water level will be worth the extra cost in the long run. I ended up finding a great deal for $40 off so I went ahead and picked up the Sapphire 34 tonight. Can't wait to get it all put together!

 

[Hemmdog]

Thanks so much! It definitely sounds like the adjustable water level will be worth the extra cost in the long run. I ended up finding a great deal for $40 off so I went ahead and picked up the Sapphire 34 tonight. Can't wait to get it all put together!

Awesome! That’s a great sump!!