How big does my sump need to be?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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I disagree completly here its not the actually size its the acdtully abbility of the sump to work with you tank it self no point having a huge sump if it cant filter the tank propley is it ?

what size is you tank what media are you going to use etc
 
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I disagree completly here its not the actually size its the acdtully abbility of the sump to work with you tank it self no point having a huge sump if it cant filter the tank propley is it ?

what size is you tank what media are you going to use etc
Well the reason you need a large sump is so when the power goes out you don't have any flooding. Unless you know something that most of us don't. If you have a 300 gallon tank and your overflow sits 2" below top Edge of tank, you are going to lose at least 30g minimum if power goes out. If you do not run a check valve on your return pump or don't drill a siphon break, it will be a lot more. So if you don't have at least a 40 g sump, your asking for trouble. So please let me know why you disagree . I'm confused
 
My sump is no way near 1/3rd of my tank volume. My 650g is filtered by my sump that is approx 60-70g (maybe smaller). I also have an FX5 on the tank. I guess it depends on many factors for eg. how sump is set up.

My parameters (including nitrates) stay 0ppm even if I can't do a water change for 3 weeks. I don't make a habit of doing this, just weekends are not as long as they used to be!

It is a wet dry sump and if the power goes out it the sump fills up almost to the top. Still has a few cm clear from overflowing (thank god).

I would like a bigger sump of course, mainly for the flexibility, but just remember these recommendations are just 'rules of thumb'. Some clever designs can lead to efficient filtration systems if space is a premium or you want a smaller system.


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My 180 has a 40 gallon sump filled with k1 kaldness for bio with a ten gallon on top filled with sponges for mechanical the 10 gallon only ever has maybe a gallon it with 2800gph of flow going threw the whole system ...

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