What Size Do You Like for Reef Sump in 4x2x2 tank Stand?
 

We intend to build a reef with fish, live rock, and coral. Before we start building our first stand we wanted to get the sump size right because it may be difficult to install if there is not enough room in the stand.

Which brought us to the question of what is the best sump size for a 4x2x2 tank? Should we determine what filters we want before we decide what size the sump should be? Hopefully we have these questions in the right order.

When you look at the sizing for a sump, you really need to make a few decisions first...

a) What skimmer will you have? In-sump or external?
b) Will you incorporate a fuge in the design?
c) How much will the display hold, so that during a power outage, your sump can handle the backflow until your siphon break kicks in.
d) Will you have an ATO system?

I'm sure there are even more questions, but once you answer these, it will help you figure out size. If the skimmer will be in-sump, how big is it and how much room will that compartment require. For some reason, the return area reflects all the evaporation in a reef setup, so if you make that area too small or don't have an ATO to refill it all the time, then you really risk going dry and burning your return pump out.

Though it may sound complicated, sumps really do help as they add water volume to your overal project and that means you have more room for error in everything you do.

I hope that gives you a starting point.

IMO ideally you get the biggest one that fits and go from there. :biggrin:

ageed. sumps look big initially but by the time you're done adding necessary equipment, it can get crammed pretty quickly, mines already 3/4 packed and the skimmers comin' next week! something to consider..

Thank you for your responses. As big as can be installed under the stand. I am thinking of building in such a way as to push the sump into the tank stand from one end, filling the inside area. I will begin learning about filters and such with this info in mind. Thanks again.

Thats exactly what I had to do because of the way my stand was built (before I had even considered a sump when I first started out with a smaller tank). I ended up cutting out one end and shoving the sump in that way. It was pretty tight but I managed to get it in there. The next stand will be built way smrter :wink:

another vote as big as you can. really, why not?

My skimmer is 21 inches tall and sticks out of my sump almost a foot...something to consider. Equipment first trust me lol

Yep, that's what I do!

So you think equipment should be bought first? Then build the sump to fit as best as possible? This could work.