sump size for a 300g

the lion who ate the sun

the lion who ate the sun

Plecostomus
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Mar 11, 2014
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Hey guys. What size sump will I need for a 300g tank with lots of messy fish? It will house 2 florida gar, 9 10-15" polypterus, a giraffe cat, and possibly a black arowana.

I have a 65g acrylic tank sitting here, 48x20x15. I would like to use it, but do not want to run into a wq problem. The alternative is picking up a 110g stock tank from a tractor supply store. Will that be necessary?
 
jsodwi

jsodwi

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I ran a 55g on my 300 it worked but wold have liked more room I had a ton of big messy fish. I let up with weekly water changes and never had a problem m vote is the 65 will be ok
 
the lion who ate the sun

the lion who ate the sun

Plecostomus
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Mar 11, 2014
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I might just sell the acrylic tank and pick up that 110 gallon stock tub. The tank is drilled and has an overflow and a place for frag trays--seems like its worth more than the $65 I'll pay for the 110g stock tank.

Anyone have advic for setup? I'm not going to use baffles. The plan is to fill the thing with matrix, and have the pump on the opposite side of the inbound water. Any special arrangement necessary?
 
J

Jc1119

Feeder Fish
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Dec 27, 2010
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I use a 75 on ours and it works well. 65 should be good as long as you have room for water when the tank is shutoff.

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ragin_cajun

ragin_cajun

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instead of filling it with matrix, might i suggest just 12 liters of matrix? That would leave room for filter socks. I have 12 liters matrix in my sump and it's plenty.
 
rodger

rodger

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Apr 29, 2008
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I have my 110 gal sump set up as a MB filter with K1 and 100 micron socks. It processes ammonia WAY faster than Matrix. I have around 40 liters of used matrix sitting unused. Seachem claims Matrix processes nitrates but I can't tell it.
 
the lion who ate the sun

the lion who ate the sun

Plecostomus
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Mar 11, 2014
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How did you arrange the socks?
 
wednesday13

wednesday13

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I run 2 55gals on mine...one holds 4 32" 200 micron socks and the other a k1 moving bed. Also has a 4gph auto drip. I ran canisters on this tank for years and one 55sump and it never cut it so id say the bigger the better. Imo a 125 would b optimal.

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crenicichla444

crenicichla444

Polypterus
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Curious to see what people think too, I have a 45ish gallon bioball tower sump for my 300 some people told me it would be just fine... Is a smaller sump less or more maintenance than a larger one? Besides cleaning/or changing filter socks? Sorry for the derail OP


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duanes

duanes

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Because a sump is a compartment to put stuff, not actually a filter in itself, size is determined by the amount of stuff you put in it, and the ease of getting your arms in for maintenance. A 40 gallon tank can work if all you have is a pump, a heater, a little biomedia.
I have used 50 gallon barrels, different sized tanks, and rubbermaid troughs, my favorite is a 75 gal, with a biotower, 3 filter socks, heaters, and sits beside and below the tank, because it has easy access to remove equipment for maintenance, and clean the socks.

My least favorite is a 50 gal tank, because it sits directly below the tank, and is hard to get my arms in to maneuver the stuff inside.
 
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