What size sump tank

[swampy_2]

I am about to set up a tank i've had for a few years Its 6ft x 2 ft x 2ft and will be a tropical set up what size sump tank will i need to use
is there anything else i need to bear in mind??

 

[CHOMPERS]

You'll need something in the 60g range. Bigger is better. Dedicate as much space as possible to the bio-media.

 

[TStephens]

Generally 1/3rd to a 1/4 of the size of the tank so anywhere from a 45g and bigger should be good.

 

[chesterthehero]

1/3 is the rule of thumb.. however the biggest you can fit under the tank is the way to go

 

[swampy_2]

so im looking at a 240 gallon system
how many time an hour will the water need to be processed ?
there is a 2" hole in the bottom of the tank will this be enough?

 

[spwd]

Im interested in this too because i asked if a 4ftx18x18 sump would be a good size for my 8.5' x32x28high new tank which is something like 300g+ and the sump is about 55g so not really big enough going by the replies above,and i was going with about 6500lph pump.my set up sounds about right for the op's set up or am i wrong?

Steve

 

[Egon]

Go with the largest sump you can. If 55 gallons is all you have then that will work. I have a 55 gallon sump on my 360. I stacked a couple 5 gallon buckets on top of each other for a bio tower. Basicly I made it work lol, a 55 was all I could get my hands on at the time. Here's a link to my sump.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208917&page=43

 

[Egon]

so im looking at a 240 gallon system
how many time an hour will the water need to be processed ?
there is a 2" hole in the bottom of the tank will this be enough?

A 2" hole is huge, I think you will be fine. If possible put your sump right under that hole to minimize head loss from pipe bends and friction from the pipe walls. That will optimize your drain capacity. As far as turn over rate, 4 or 6 times an hour is good. This all depends on stocking, obviously if your heavily stocked you need more turn over rate.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Generally 1/3rd to a 1/4 of the size of the tank so anywhere from a 45g and bigger should be good.

Actually 1/4 is smaller than 1/3, but with an efficient design, 1/10 will even work (I've been doing it for years). It's better to go with 1/3 or larger.

1/3 is the rule of thumb.. however the biggest you can fit under the tank is the way to go

Well said.

so im looking at a 240 gallon system
how many time an hour will the water need to be processed ?
there is a 2" hole in the bottom of the tank will this be enough?

Actually, you have a 180g tank. The formula is LxWxDx7.5

Im interested in this too because i asked if a 4ftx18x18 sump would be a good size for my 8.5' x32x28high new tank which is something like 300g+ and the sump is about 55g so not really big enough going by the replies above,and i was going with about 6500lph pump.my set up sounds about right for the op's set up or am i wrong?

Steve

Your tank is 396.6g, and the sump works out to 67.5g (considered a 75g).

 

[Err]

The big question I think is what stock are you keeping? And what do you want your filter to do for you? Here is what I have in the works, and I think it will work. Idea being that all the plants will use up the waste in the water and leave little to no NO3 as opposed to the giant pot scrubbie nitrate factory that most sumps are.