Choose between two sumps

[bawb]

I picked up a 180 gallon acrylic tank that was setup for salt with this 55 gallon sump.


Two drains dumps into both ends of the tank and a return pump was in the center.

But I'm setting this tank up for freshwater and have another 40 gal sump setup with drain in one end and return in the other.

Will the 40 gal be big enough? Or should I redo the partitions in the 55 to a cross flow like the 40gal.
Would the 55 be that much better, or is the 40 plenty good to filter the 180?

 

[D_Nicepumpkin]

Are you having any other filtration

 

[celebrist]

I imagine the 40 would work fine. What are the respective footprints? Since they most likely won't be completely full that will determine things more than total gallons I would think. What is your aversion to center return in your sump by the way? Mine dumps into the ends and returns from the center and seems to work fine.

 

[bawb]

Are you having any other filtration

No other filtration other than a sponge filter I add to all my tanks for backup.

I imagine the 40 would work fine. What are the respective footprints? Since they most likely won't be completely full that will determine things more than total gallons I would think. What is your aversion to center return in your sump by the way? Mine dumps into the ends and returns from the center and seems to work fine.

Standard 55gal footprint 48x13 and 40 breeder 36x18.
One side of the 55 was set up as the refugium where chaeto was used to filter nitrates, which I'm told does grow in fresh water. That side plus the middle return chamber take up 2/3rds of the tank, leaving only 1/3 rd for other filtration. 4 chambers total in the 55.

The 40 gal has 6 chambers and came with bio balls, ceramic, and filter foam to fill up the chambers. It just seems like better filtration to go in one end and out the other.

 

[celebrist]

That makes sense, I use my sump as both filter and refugium but it is a 150 so I have a bit more room to play with

 

[D_Nicepumpkin]

It seems like the 40 will be better for you, seeing as it already has media

 

[DN328]

I prefer the flow of the 40, but I would add try to add some mechanical filter if you can. I suppose the sponge would address that. Either way sumps are beneficial as you can throw all your gear in there.

BTW, It's hard to see how the baffle runs in the 55, but you could set it up to also have it drain in just one end and return in the other if you wanted more volume.