Sumps???

[NanoPerson67]

hey guys. some of you may know, i currently have a 10 gallon nano tank set up, it's running good for about 4 months already and everything is doing fine, but i figure it's time for an upgrade. I am planning on either getting a 29 gallon biocube or a 40 gallon breeder. The thing is that if i get the 40 breeder i will need a sump. I have never had a sump before on any tank since the largest tank i have ever had was 10 gallons lol. so can anyone tell me how it works? do i need to drill holes? should i just get biocube? should i go any bigger than 40 gallons? and if you can explain how a sump works, and all the parts of the sump and stuff. do i even need a sump? thanks so much in advanced. People tell me it will be much easier taking care of a 40 gallon than a 10. My 10 is doing pretty good, so i must be doing something rite lol, the 40 will be a breeze once i set it up i guess.
o AND i do plan on buying everything from people who are selling on the marketplace who dont want their tanks anymore. i learned this the hard way and bought everything at my lfs which costed me a fortune. i want to buy the 40 breeder brand new just incase of copper. the filter brand new also but online from the marketplace. the lr i want to spend 2 dollars a pound.

i also want to buy the lighting in the marketplace for cheap.

and if anyone could tell me about r/o systems... i will be needing one. what brand is good and how it works and how to set up

 

[h2o]

If were u i would go with at least a 40g no sump just a good hang on the back skimmer. Jakson6745 has one in the market place its a good deal for a great skimmer and then u add a good light and u will be set til your next up grade

 

[Brando457]

I would do a 40breeder w/ a sump IMHO, frees the display of clutter and makes maintenance easier.

You can get a 40B, glassholes overflow, and a simple 20L, make some baffles and it increases your capabilities later down the road.

 

[Widdy]

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

http://www.melevsreef.com/why_rodi.html

 

[jerl77]

40b with sump

 

[armani4o3]

sump is the way to go. less in the dt. make a fuge to have pods grow. imo its just a cleaner look and makes for a nicer tank

 

[AlohaTropics]

Go as big as you can allocate the space with. Many people go through this game of slowly going bigger and bigger. You will find the 40g will be too small in another 6-12 months and each time, you have to get all new equipment and stuff... Save yourself time and money and ask yourself how big you really want your home display. I think 75g is really where most hobbyists find a minimum size with nice aesthetic appeal.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[AlohaTropics]

And definitely a sump. Freedom of equipment placing and extra water volume for a more stable system. Protein skimmer choices will be better too.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[NYreefNoob]

in all honestly, as much trouble as you have had with other tank, and still learning the hobby i would suggest a bio-cube, few f\s on here, and the solana is a nice one

 

[Jzhou]

in all honestly, as much trouble as you have had with other tank, and still learning the hobby i would suggest a bio-cube, few f\s on here, and the solana is a nice one

+1 def better to learn the basics before diving into something that is going to cost a lot. also if you do decide on a 40 gallon, you don't really need a sump. But it does make things easier.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

I would go a 40 breeder with sump. I am not a fan of the biocubes, your limited on the skimmers you can get for them. Sapphire Aquatics used to make a really good skimmer for them to put in the center chamber but theyve been in and out of business so many times and are currently out of business again. The lighting if you want to do anything but fish and softees is sub par and you'll have more water volume with the 40 and sump, which will make it easier to maintain. You can also buy the correct fixture for it and not be forced to modify the lighting on the biocube.


Just this time apply everything youve learned off of people and maybe have someone come and help you actually build the sump and set it up.


Buy all of the equipment from A to Z before you set it up, that way lastly you buy your live rock and sand, make your RO/DI, let it cycle properly and you'll be good to go.

Also when building the sump if thats the route you go make sure if a glass tank you buy glass baffles, not acrylic(plexi-glass). A glass shop will cut them for you for under 20 bucks and ask them for buffed edges so there are no chances of you slicing your fingers open during the build. Lastly when you size your baffles leave 1/8th inch clearance between the baffle and the tank sides- it'll only be a 16th of an inch on each side and your silicone will fill the space fine and it doesnt ever come under a lot of pressure so itll be perfectly ok.

Take a couple of days to build it then another 48-72 hours to let the last cure of the silicon. You can space your baffles by using 3 cd's between each as well as 3 cd's between the bottom of the tank and the bottom of the raised panel of the bubble trap. That way each of the 3 bubble trap baffles will have approximately an inch and a half between them and the same space between the raised baffle and tank bottom. Use a piece of 1/2" vinyl tube on the end of the silicon in a caulk gun, lay in a bed thicker than you need and you can squeeze in, smooth out the silicon in the hard to reach places between the baffles with the outside of the tubingand wipe the excess off from the top with your finger. Also silicon both sides of each seem.

Best of luck.

 

[NanoPerson67]

I would go a 40 breeder with sump. I am not a fan of the biocubes, your limited on the skimmers you can get for them. Sapphire Aquatics used to make a really good skimmer for them to put in the center chamber but theyve been in and out of business so many times and are currently out of business again. The lighting if you want to do anything but fish and softees is sub par and you'll have more water volume with the 40 and sump, which will make it easier to maintain. You can also buy the correct fixture for it and not be forced to modify the lighting on the biocube.


Just this time apply everything youve learned off of people and maybe have someone come and help you actually build the sump and set it up.


Buy all of the equipment from A to Z before you set it up, that way lastly you buy your live rock and sand, make your RO/DI, let it cycle properly and you'll be good to go.

Also when building the sump if thats the route you go make sure if a glass tank you buy glass baffles, not acrylic(plexi-glass). A glass shop will cut them for you for under 20 bucks and ask them for buffed edges so there are no chances of you slicing your fingers open during the build. Lastly when you size your baffles leave 1/8th inch clearance between the baffle and the tank sides- it'll only be a 16th of an inch on each side and your silicone will fill the space fine and it doesnt ever come under a lot of pressure so itll be perfectly ok.

Take a couple of days to build it then another 48-72 hours to let the last cure of the silicon. You can space your baffles by using 3 cd's between each as well as 3 cd's between the bottom of the tank and the bottom of the raised panel of the bubble trap. That way each of the 3 bubble trap baffles will have approximately an inch and a half between them and the same space between the raised baffle and tank bottom. Use a piece of 1/2" vinyl tube on the end of the silicon in a caulk gun, lay in a bed thicker than you need and you can squeeze in, smooth out the silicon in the hard to reach places between the baffles with the outside of the tubingand wipe the excess off from the top with your finger. Also silicon both sides of each seem.

Best of luck.

thanks alot =). i think ill go with 40 ,but i want to buy one with a premade sump and the 40 breeder drilled already so it would make it soooo much easier for me.. ill check in market place i guess