What size sump?

[TexasYeti]

I have a 75G tank. Mainly softies, my beloved LPS and a Cap Monti. Lighting is ComPacs.

I want to use a sump, however, on my previous 35 Bowfront, the 10G seemed useless. I had a 55G capacity skimmer, that seemed useless, LR and Cheato, with live sand bed. I did regular water changes, and had T5's 4x24" mixed as lighting. SPS faded, LPS and Softies were fine.

For the 75G I want to ensure I have enough for everything. I've got a Reef Octopus 2000 Skimmer, will get what ever return pump I need, but my question is, what size tank should I get as the sump? A 30 Long will fit no problem, a 40 Long would fit, but make space.. tight. I was going to use a Std 30, but after my 55G Cichlid started to leak I had to use that as a back up.

I'm thinking, down pipe into a filter sock, then through the Cheato/Calerpa(? spelling) with live sand bed and live rock. The other end the Octopus. I don't want to start to go the Phosban etc route. I want to stay as natural as I can. If possible.

The thing is I'm using a simple Canister filter, and everything is happy, and yet on my 35 Bowfront (pre leak) with sump, I struggled.

 

[huuta]

get the biggest size sump you can fit in that stand but also leave yourself enough room for a few reactor down the line.I run GFO/carbon reactor in my sump.I have a very mix reef so the carbon help with the chemicals warfare.Try to get a 6 bulb fixture instead of 4 if you want to try sps again

 

[TexasYeti]

OK thanks. Long term I would like to be adding LED's as the results, and the actual light is I find, more pleasing.

 

[tcreeftank]

I think the bigger the better in this case...leaves you some room for added options down the road. Plus, some added system volume never hurt anyone.

 

[Loki]

a 40 breeder should fit under the 75. I run two 40b under my 120 and they are perfect for sumps!

 

[azjohnny]

I was thinking a 40B myself, Petco has their $1 a gallon sale going on now, silicone a few baffles and you are set

I would place the skimmer in the area with/next to the filter sock ( think of a skimmer as mechanical filtration)

 

[Loki]

Here is a pic of my two sumps. I have the top 40 as a fuge and the lower as my skimmer and return. There are several different baffles in the tanks and it costs me about $40 for my local glass place to cut all of the pieces in 1/4" glass. I also grabbed these while petco had their $1 per gallon sell.

 

[TexasYeti]

Thanks for the info, and I really like the 2 stage sump you have there Loki. I was going to go with a 30G I had, but had had a sudden leak from a crack in the bottom of my 55G Cichlid tank, so had to use it on the 10.30PM emergency tank swap. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a 40L.