Planning a sump - do I need a bubble trap?

[jschall]

Sump questions:
1. I'm in search of the cheapest, largest container that will fit under the aquarium stand I'm building. Lets say maximum 20" high, 3ft long, 20" wide. The obvious choice is a 40 breeder, but I want something cheaper. Anyone recommend a specific plastic storage container or build method that will get me the sump I want? I could do plywood, however I don't particularly fancy the idea of figuring out how to seal it and it needs to be cheap.

Transparency is a plus! I may end up with a craigslist aquarium for this.

2. Do I need a bubble trap in a freshwater sump? I know saltwater has different properties (hence why protein skimmers work on sw)

Edit: If I do a plywood sump, can I do fairly small windows in it using 1/4" extruded (not cell-cast) acrylic? Like a strip along the top 8"?

 

[jschall]

The tank is 48", minus 6 for the 2x4 legs in the stand, so 42" means 36" sump leaves 6". I guess I've got to do a smaller sump than I thought in the first place.

The sump could actually be up to 26" wide. I don't want it more than 28" long (so I can fit an FX5 under there in the future, which I THINK is 16" in diameter correct me if i'm wrong) or 18" high (this leaves 7" of space above the sump)
If I end up filling that space perfectly assuming 1/2" thick material (plywood for example) (27" x 25" x, 17.5" high internal dimensions) I'll have just over 50 gallons max. capacity, which would make me a very happy camper (this would be on a 75g initially and then on a 120g. Please don't tell me I don't need this much sump, I want it.)

 

[xdragonxb0i]

no and yes,

the problem without having one, is that you run the risk of having micro bubbles in your main tank. But i find that i dont realy need one on a my wet/dry sumps

 

[dmopar74]

i have never needed a bubble trap on any FW sumps yet.

 

[ScottXGTR]

Sump questions:
1. I'm in search of the cheapest, largest container that will fit under the aquarium stand I'm building. Lets say maximum 20" high, 3ft long, 20" wide.

sounds like what i went through on my 210. all the aquariums i found were long and narrow. i wanted short and wide. ended up using a construction tote from lowes. around $60 and kept by the truck tool boxes.

lowes - contico tote

dimensions are not as listed on the website. 36"x20" is the approx footprint. and because its plastic, its easy to work with. i trimmed mine down, and even used some of the scraps to make a center brace. old pic, but it works

 

[fishy12]

Salt is a yes fresh idt it matters