What size sump for a 150 gallon?

Johnd651 · Mar 1, 2020

So, I am still in the pre-planning stages on my tank, and have narrowed it down to one of two sizes. Either a custom 42x36x18 or a 60x24x24. If i went the route of 42x36x18, in keeping with trying to have as much water volume as possible, I think I would DIY a 40B sump. However, with the 60x24x24 I was thinking about either a 40B (36x18x18) or a 40L(48x12x16) or a 55 gallon(48x12x21) DIY sump.
The reason I am not sure which size to go with is due to the space next to it inside the stand. I want to make sure there is enough room for an ATO reservoir (which I could possibly incorporate into the sump if longer), as well as the electrical, room for reactors, 2 part, storage for fish equipment, etc. I'm not a visual person so I am having a hard time visualizing what it would look like. Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? At this size does 15 gallons (lot less when being used as a sump) matter?
Anyone have a 5ft 150? Pictures of below?

codycolina707 · Mar 1, 2020

I have a 60x24x24 tank with a 52x17x17 sump from sca I like it plenty of room and it has built in ato section of the sump that holds about 10-15 gallons

Johnd651 · Mar 1, 2020

codycolina707 said:
I have a 60x24x24 tank with a 52x17x17 sump from sca I like it plenty of room and it has built in ato section of the sump that holds about 10-15 gallons

Any pics? I am just curious about the remaining room under the tank.

K7BMG · Mar 1, 2020

I would go with the 6 foot tank.
I feel you will want the next size up anyway.
Very few feel they should have chosen the smaller tank.
Everyone says dang wish I went bigger.
Whatever return pump you choose, I recommend one thing for sure.
Plumb the pump with the size of pipe it has.
So if your pump has an 1.5 inch return then thats what you should use do not reduce it down to 1 inch, or increase it to 2 inch.

Johnd651 · Mar 1, 2020

K7BMG said:
I would go with the 6 foot tank.
I feel you will want the next size up anyway.
Very few feel they should have chosen the smaller tank.
Everyone says dang wish I went bigger.
Whatever return pump you choose, I recommend one thing for sure.
Plumb the pump with the size of pipe it has.
So if your pump has an 1.5 inch return then thats what you should use do not reduce it down to 1 inch, or increase it to 2 inch.

The 2 locations I am working with are pretty tight. The spot where the 5ft would go will not fit a 6ft tank. Also I have had a 8x2x2 african cichlid tank a few years ago... it was a love/hate relationship. I loved the size, but everytime the house made any noise I cringed. I am ok with 5ft.

codycolina707 · Mar 1, 2020

Johnd651 said:
Any pics? I am just curious about the remaining room under the tank.

Yeah not much room left for reactors but I'm sure I could build a platform inside the sump if I ever need to run some

Johnd651 · Mar 1, 2020

codycolina707 said:
Yeah not much room left for reactors but I'm sure I could build a platform inside the sump if I ever need to run some

Nice.... that is a tight squeeze. Did you get that in before the tank?

codycolina707 · Mar 1, 2020

Johnd651 said:
Nice.... that is a tight squeeze. Did you get that in before the tank?

ya only have to take one brace off to slide it in im sure i could take it out with the tank full

Johnd651 · Mar 4, 2020

Thoughts on the three below? How close can the refugium baffles be? I was thinking that it would be nice to get a piece of glass cut and add the ATO reservoir into the sump as well (about 1.25 gallons for every inch). Also how much room would I need for skimmer and return pump?

So I was thinking of using either the Modular marine refugium kit for a 40B.