Best SUMP size for a 180

[titansfever83]

I acquired a Oceanic 180 RR from the good ole' Craigslist. It was too good to pass up so I bought it. Here's the dealio..... In my 7 yrs of fish keeping, I have NEVER owned a tank with built-in overflows or a sump.

I have quite a few spare tanks that I plan on turning into a sump for this new tank. My question is, what size sump should I go with on a 180 gal?

I have a few 30 gal, a 55gal I could use for a DIY sump. I kinda need to know this early on, because I am building a custom stand and I need to make sure it will accomodate the sump's height with ease.

 

[tcarswell]

I say go for the 55 but its overkill. a 30 would be adequate .

 

[OmniTranz]

In my opinion it depends what you want to do with it. If you want to use it as a refugium + sump, then I'd go as big as you can so you get more usable space for the ref. If not, then I'd say not less than a 30g. Personally I'm planning to split up my sump from my refugium and run separate plumbing to each, that way I can get a higher gph on the sump and a bit less on the ref so I don't blow away my plants and shrimps.

 

[rallysman]

If you're going to pack a lot of media and accessories then go for the 55. If it's "enough media and a pump the 30 will be fine.

 

[titansfever83]

I'm just looking to do a sump, a refug would be cool but I will pass on that. I do plan on overkilling with either Bio balls or scrubbies.

Another question, I have yet to price check or research, but what would be the best material to use for my DIY sump, like glass, acrylic, plexiglass, plastic, etc.? I'm not going for looks here, since it will be inside the stand. Maybe something that Lowes or HD carries that would work. I'm just curious what some of you DIYers have used.

 

[sizzlinbetta]

I'm just looking to do a sump, a refug would be cool but I will pass on that. I do plan on overkilling with either Bio balls or scrubbies.

Another question, I have yet to price check or research, but what would be the best material to use for my DIY sump, like glass, acrylic, plexiglass, plastic, etc.? I'm not going for looks here, since it will be inside the stand. Maybe something that Lowes or HD carries that would work. I'm just curious what some of you DIYers have used.

never madea sump but i can just tell you i was in hd/lowes looking to make a divider i used the egg crate however thought "hmmm plexiglass drilled would be cool...lol it was a lot more expensive there then i thought...if you could get a plastic that would work i bet you it saves u $30 or so just in this

 

[Miguel4u2]

I'm just looking to do a sump, a refug would be cool but I will pass on that. I do plan on overkilling with either Bio balls or scrubbies.

Another question, I have yet to price check or research, but what would be the best material to use for my DIY sump, like glass, acrylic, plexiglass, plastic, etc.? I'm not going for looks here, since it will be inside the stand. Maybe something that Lowes or HD carries that would work. I'm just curious what some of you DIYers have used.

If your are using bio balls or scrubbies then you are going to have to make a wet dry sump with water trickling over the biological media. The easiest way to make a wet dry is to make the biological filtering part very long length wise then just put some chemical media in a bag just before the pump, o and the mechanical goes above the biological.

So the part of the filter filled with bioballs you should make much bigger and this wet dry has a refugium so you if you don't want to, you dont have to make the other section to the left.And you can see the sponge on top of the bioballs.

My wet dry i simply bought it from ebay and it filters up 250 gallons and i have it on a 55 8), got if for $71 with overflow box and bioballs and bought the pump separately for $40 and it does 1300 gph

 

[JL]

I use a 30 gallon w/ an FX5. Here's a pic for idea's on building.....

 

[tcarswell]

I use a 30 gallon w/ an FX5. Here's a pic for idea's on building.....

That is so frickin sweet

 

[titansfever83]

That's a nice setup JLau

Do you know off the top of your head, how tall your stand is? I would really like to try building one as tall as possible but not so much that I can't reach the back of the tank reaching over the top. I'm thinking around 40-42" tall for my stand(BTW, my tank is 24" tall)

Miguel, you got a good deal on that! I have a 19 gal sump with a hang-on overflow box that came with my 125 but it's sitting in storage right now. I'm sure I'll set it up on the 125 once I get hands-on experience with my 180.


I'm sure Plexiglass is cheaper than Acrylic? I'm picking up the tank tomorrow, and have a wedding to attend afterwards. Not sure if I'll get around to the local glass business tomorrow. I'm gonna need a lot of Plexiglass for my stand. My brother-in-law and I are going to do some "Plexi-Sketch" for the stand doors.