KJAhp098
Active Member
I'm in the process of setting up a new 250 gallon Marineland deep dimension tank, and trying to decide between the Icecap 36xl and 48xl. It will be SPS dominant. Will the 36xl be large enough? Thanks.
Which size Icecap sump?
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Hemmdog
10K Club member
Neither, it’s not a great design. If your already at that price point I highly recommend Trigger sumps.
https://www.marinedepot.com/Trigger_Systems_Emerald_Sump_39_inch-6E81646-FIFRBSCU-vi.html
This one would be perfect. You could even go bigger and do the triton 44 if your feeling wild.
Jay Z
Valuable Member
I looked at the ice caps and triggers when I was looking for a sump. I decided on a 48 sig sea bash instead. I couldn't be happier with the build quality, function, and performance. I did add it to my 45 jbj just to double my water volume. System very stable now.
They had both at the store, I picked the 48 because of the extra room in it.
They had both at the store, I picked the 48 because of the extra room in it.
FishyDP
Active Member
+1 on Trigger sumps. They make great, high quality, simply designed sumps. The emerald 39 is what I would go with for that kind of money as well. I have never owned an icecap sump, but do own a trigger sump. They really seem like they are built to last, and again I like the simplicity of their sumps.
Will you be running the Triton Method on your tank? That 200 gallon recommendation for the Triton 44 sump is based upon running the Triton Method, which requires the refugium to be at least 10% of the display tank volume. Keep in mind, Trigger Systems Triton sumos have been redesigned to now include filter socks, as a big complaint of the original design was too much detritus build up in the refugium chamber.
I do agree with others about not liking the IceCap sump design. The integrated ATO reservoir seems like a waste of sumo space as it’s too small IMO. You’d have to refill it way too often because of its relatively diminutive size. If you’re gonna integrate an ATO reservoir into your sump design, size it appropriately or don’t bother including it at all, as I’m not interested in having to refill an ATO container multiple times a week.
I had the 36xl on my 120 and it was great. Plenty of room for all equipment. The ATO was a perfect size as I only had to refill it every 10 days. Only thing I would have liked to see was either 7" socks or at least 4"standard size socks
KJAhp098
Active Member
I will not be running the Triton method. If the only common issue with the Icecap sumps is the ATO chamber being small, then I'm fine with that since I'll be using a separate 65 gallon drum for ATO.
KJAhp098
Active Member
I plan on putting live rock rubble and cheato in the fuge and also an internal skimmer. I'd also like to use an internal pump if I could fit one. I have the Jebao 18000, which won't fit in the Triton 44, but would in the IceCap 48xl.
I guess that’s my point. If you’re using a separate ATO container, than the integrated one is wasted space.
What’s the footprint on the skimmer?
Guessing 10x10
If you have live rock in the tank, what’s the purpose of more in the sump? It likes to contract detritus there. I can see Marine Pure or Brightwell bricks in there, sure. You can pull those and clean the detritus off if need be.
Any reactors that you plan on putting in the water?
Your calcium reactor is going on the outside. UV is outside. You can do dry reactors for carbon and gfo.
How much room do you really need to grow your seaweed? 12x12x18? (Which you can do in a dry macro reactor now). A Zeo reactor is wet, but you’re not doing that.
Seems to me, That I would want more dry real estate than wet under my tank.
A sump is not a filter. It’s a wet part of your tank to put the filters. A bigger sump is not a bigger filter. With a wet dry, it was. Not anymore.
How about a big toilet paper roller filter, the good ones look like they need a lot of sump? Are you doing one of those?
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KJAhp098
Active Member
The skimmer footprint will be 14" x 11.5". Those Brightwell bricks look interesting. Maybe I can use those instead of the rock rubble. I've been out of the game for about 5 years now. I won't be using one of those rollermats. Appreciate your help.
Blue Spot Octopus
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I think one thing that might be overlooked is how big is the return section, how much water does it hold? Can you fit your pump in there? Can you fit the ATO switch in there as well?
Thanks High ACP for answering a question that I posted at least a year ago, you answer is what I was thinking, the common answer was different, bigger the sump the better.
Thanks High ACP for answering a question that I posted at least a year ago, you answer is what I was thinking, the common answer was different, bigger the sump the better.
