Sump suggestions for 180g tank?

[Nathan1]

Hi all,

I am buying a 180g tank (oceanic with oceanic stand). I need a sump but I don't know what to get.

I am getting the Aqua C EV 120, and I already have a calcium reactor (MyReef design).

So what size of sump should I get? Should I buy a glass sump, a plexiglass one, drilled, external pump or "in-sump-pump"?

Any suggestions are welcome!

-Nathan

 

[Anonymous]

I have the Aqua-C 120 (or maybe 180) with a 120, and the MyReef reactor too!

I like the skimmer because it runs out of the water, which was good for me because I'm using a stock tank. I would buy a stronger brand next time though.

The reactor works great, although I had a number of issues with leaks at first.

 

[Anonymous]

Nathan,
I use All Glass tanks for sumps, and simply silicone in glass partitions where I need them. I would figure out what standard tank size will fit under that stand, and go from there. Much cheaper than buying a ready made sump! :wink:

Jim

 

[Nathan1]

Dan,

Cool. So your skimmer is sitting next to the sump, right? How do you plumb that? Doesn't your output need to be gravity fed to the sump (can't run uphill at all, right?).

By "stronger brand" what do you mean? Is it flimsy and fragile, or are you talking about a more efficient skimmer or larger capacity skimmer?



Jim,

Thanks for the tip on AllGlass. I was thinking about that. I have not decided on a return pump yet, but if it's an external pump then I would have to get it "pre drilled" with a pvc connector to attach to the pump. I don't know if I want an external pump, or just an internal one.


-Nathan

 

[Anonymous]

No, its not fragile at all, just could be be a bit more powerful. This brand also goes flat whenever you feed oily foods, which seems to be a lot with me.

I have a simple 2x4 stand holding the skimmer up above the sump. It is driven by a submersible pump that sits in a bucket in the sump, because the sump is also a refugia with rocks and sand. Totally trouble free operation, I haven't adjusted it in at least a year.

 

[Nathan1]

Dan,

Awesome.

So you think I may need to go for a Aqua C EV 180, instead of the Aqua C EV 120?

Your setup sounds cool. What do you use as a return pump to the main tank?

-Nathan

 

[Anonymous]

AquaC make good skimmer, but what Dan is refering to above is that it will not do well when you feed oily food or put your greasy hand in the tank. It will take a few hours for it to work again once that happen. Going up to EV 180 will not solve this issue, which is common for all skimmer, and particularly pronounce for AquaC's injector-type skimmer.

For your tank size, I will go for Iwaki 55 or one of those larger LG pump out there.

 

[Anonymous]

Correct, but I would step up to the 180 anyway.