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#1
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![]() 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.
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Alberta. Land of Monster Bucks. Last edited by my3kidsdad; 05-14-2008 at 10:31 PM. Reason: Clarify questions. |
#2
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![]() 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.
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Mark... ![]() 290g Peninsula Display, 425g total volume. Setup Jan 2013. |
#3
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![]() IMO ideally you get the biggest one that fits and go from there.
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Christy's Reef Blog My 180 Build Every electronic component is shipped with smoke stored deep inside.... only a real genius can find a way to set it free. |
#4
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![]() 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..
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33g fowlr / 20g sump / 400 watt pendant / Euro-Reef RC80~~~~lavendar tang, lemon butterfly, snowflake eel, hawaiian spotted puffer, tomato clown, chomis.. My reef~http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/m...-/P4300459.jpg |
#5
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![]() 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.
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Alberta. Land of Monster Bucks. |
#6
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![]() Quote:
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Christy's Reef Blog My 180 Build Every electronic component is shipped with smoke stored deep inside.... only a real genius can find a way to set it free. |
#7
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![]() Yep, that's what I do!
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#8
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![]() Quote:
If by fuge you mean refuge for fish to get away from predators, no, we will probably not have the external room for a refuge. That is interesting.. how much backflow is normal? and should the sump be run at a level lower than the expected overflow? I will have to find out what a ATO is.. lol.
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Alberta. Land of Monster Bucks. |
#9
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![]() ATO - Auto top off.
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#10
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![]() Thank you I just found out from my Son-in-law, Jason. Do you like to design your sump system first and then build the sump for the system? That would seem a smart thing to do.. Will go down to Blue World and see their's today.
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Alberta. Land of Monster Bucks. |