Sump/Wet-dry/Trickle Filter

[morganjl]

I purchased this system used a few years ago. Had it set up for two years then moved. I am ready to set this guy up again but want to make "several" modifications and improvements. Tank is a 58 and came with a sump (not sure if that is the true definition) for underneath the tank. Problem is it is a very complex sump. When I added the skimmer I had to hang it on the front and the doors to the stand barely closed. So I am considering just getting a 10 or 20 gallon tank and using that as the sump instead. Thoughts? I am attaching a few pics.

BTW: Want to do a reef tank and will have MH and VHO lights.

 

[tazdevil]

I did just that, took a 20 gallon long (left me the most useable room). Also added acrylic dividers (pass thru's) held in by epoxy, has worked great for 3 years. Used leftover acrylic to make a cover to help reduce evaporation.

Before that, I also had one of those complex sumps with bioballs that I tried to use without, didn't work well at all. Besides, you can get "sump" tanks pretty cheap at Walmart etc. No one's going to see them so you don't need a pretty tank down there, spend the money on lighting, skimmers etc.