Sump Size

[greengiant]

I have a 20G tank that I was thinking of using for a sump what size tank would you use it for

 

[Will Hayward]

About 1/3 the tank size.

 

[greengiant]

bump

 

[Guapote]

About 1/3 the tank size.

I agree.

 

[Dan F]

I have a 300 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank as the sump for my 135...

I installed the sump in my crawlspace, so space wasn't an issue. I have a 65 gallon sump on my 75 gallon saltwater tank, so I guess I tend to overdo things.

 

[Pharaoh]

The actual size of the sump only becomes important when you are looking at the amount of bio media it will hold in relation to the stocking level of the tank. With this being said, I would say you could actually get away with a pretty big tank. Keep in mind, the size of some HOB filter compartment in relation to the tanks they are able to filter.

 

[Dan F]

The actual size of the sump only becomes important when you are looking at the amount of bio media it will hold in relation to the stocking level of the tank. With this being said, I would say you could actually get away with a pretty big tank. Keep in mind, the size of some HOB filter compartment in relation to the tanks they are able to filter.

I agree with what you have said in regards to the filtration capacity of the pump. ^

However, there are advantages to a large amount of storage capacity. The extra water helps to temper any fluctuations in water temperature/chemistry. I also like the "elbow room" a big sump allows - more room for my funky DIY filters!

 

[koop171]

1/3 is a good general rule. But with it only being a 20 gal tank you are almost better off just getting a AC110 instead. Unless you just want to try and build one.

 

[greengiant]

this is why I have asked this question as Pharaoh stated it has alot more to do with bioload. in an AC110 there is a small volume of space to place all your media. in a 20G tank there is 20X the space. now true there needs to be space to hold the excess water when the power goes out or a pump fails so I figured 1/3 of the space is enough for that. if the power does fail why do I need to hold any more than an inch of the tank level in the sump. I have several AC110's and figured if you are using the same media then why would you need a 40 G sump. my 150 is running on 2 AC110's right now and was on 1 for a long time I added the second to seed it so when I get my next tank set up I have a filter ready to go to shorten wait time on setup. SUmps seam to be cheaper to operate and maintain so thats why I figured I would ask. can anyone explain to me why I need such a large sump when a couple AC 110's will do the job?

 

[Pharaoh]

There is something to be said about increasing the amount of water in the system, but sumps are about three things; mechanical filtration, biological filtration, and storage of unsightly items (heaters 'n such). I plan on running 1K gallons on a 110G sump. So I would have a sump that is 10% of the size of my tank gallonage. But I have a ton of bio media in the sump. I have no fear of it not being enough. I will also have it plumed to deal with overflows.