What do you like most/least about your sump? What would you change?

[Daniel@R2R]

Let's talk about your sump (because...ya know...I'm planning mine).

What do you like most about your sump?
What do you like least?
If you could change one thing (add, take away, or alter), what would it be?

Bonus points if you show off a picture of your sump!

 

[ca1ore]

I made my own out of an old Oceanic 150, thus customized to my specific needs (place for the ATS, poly filter shelf, chaeto refugium, bubble trap, drilled for equipment, etc.). The only downside was/is that the tank is 30” tall, so hard to reach down to the bottom. Saw no reason to spend $$ on a premade sump - both easy and fun to make it myself. One of these day I’m really going to have to drain it and give it a good clean. There’s a picture in my build thread.

If I was going to do it again, I’d probably use a standard 70 gallon as the base.

 

[fish farmer]

I could use more space, just to make tasks like pulling the skimmer easier. I want to do a thorough cleaning, but that would take some time. A lot of my wiring exits the sump area and is plugged in elsewhere, so I have to snake it through a back corner.

I do like the configuration, refuge/skimmer/return pump. DIY kit for a 20 gallon off eBay. I even have a mini carbon reactor stuffed in there.

 

[Troylee]

A sump with less is more in opinion! I hate being married to certain sizes in a compartment etc… I’ve built hundreds of sumps and my favorite will always be wide open with just a bubble trap before the return to keep the bubbles out and water level in the entire sump, besides the return. It’s easy to add clip on socks and what not if that’s your thang..

 

[javajaws]

I built my previous 2 sumps because I like DIY. The 2nd one I didn't like because it had a filter sock. Turns out I hate filter socks. Who would have known?!?

Current sump I bought. Biggest thing I don't like about it is the placement of the return bulkheads which are close to the back wall on top. Too close to the wall to make a clean straight line down to the return pump. So I probably won't even end up using them (there are 2) and will just run the plumbing straight up from the pump. I also don't like that they put heater brackets in the return pump section - that's the last place those should be. I also don't like that it arrived with "issues" mostly due to shipping.

Things I like in sumps (including the one I bought): Lids, probe, dosing holders and adjustable water height.

I've seen a LOT of bad sump designs - typically ones that just drop the return line(s) down into a sock holder which result in a lot of noise and splashing. Sometimes you can add an extension to go inside the sock below water level, sometimes its not possible. Basically, any sump design that results in splashing sounds is bad. If you can't visualize the water flow in a commercial sump and see if its going to be quiet or not don't buy it!

 

[dellinwood]

Trigger cr44. Was going to diy a sump then snagged this off the marketplace for dirt cheap, and man I’m glad I went this route!!

Pro- size, adjustable water level, room for dual pumps, very well thought out sump

Con- none really. Not many options for roller mats but probably not going that route anyways

 

[esquare]

BIGGER! I have had many different types of sumps, my current one being my first "store bought" one and none of them have ever been big enough. I don't think it's possible to have a sump that is big enough.

 

[New&no clue]

I have two because I honestly don't know how people fit everything into one. I have a mat roller, which I loved initially, but now I hate it and have removed it. The first sump is a refugium with macroalgae, sponges, and bristle worms. The section sump is all mechanical filtration and dosing.

 

[esquare]

I have two because I honestly don't know how people fit everything into one. I have a mat roller, which I loved initially, but now I hate it and have removed it. The first sump is a refugium with macroalgae, sponges, and bristle worms. The section sump is all mechanical filtration and dosing.

Maybe that's the answer to no sump being big enough, 2 sumps!

 

[New&no clue]

Maybe that's the answer to no sump being big enough, 2 sumps!

If I had room I think I’d add a third

 

[esquare]

If I had room I think I’d add a third

Lol, an even better solution!

 

[dellinwood]

I have two because I honestly don't know how people fit everything into one. I have a mat roller, which I loved initially, but now I hate it and have removed it. The first sump is a refugium with macroalgae, sponges, and bristle worms. The section sump is all mechanical filtration and dosing.

What didn’t you like about the roller mat?

 

[19Mateo83]

I went with a pre cut kit off eBay. I wish I had left out the divider or made it removable, I will be glad it there when I add 20lbs of gulf rubble rock, but, for now it’s useless.

 

[New&no clue]

What didn’t you like about the roller mat?

They were hard to fine-tune in the beginning, and I burned through 4 or 5 rolls in several weeks just trying to get the sensors and setting right. Once I finally got it to work, it was great for a while, but the bottom part (picture below) would get junked up and rip the mats as they pulled through or get so bad it would completely stop the mat from moving, leading to overflow situations. I have the trigger sump, so they were built in. I couldn't remove it for cleaning or maintenance, and trying to get my hands in to break apart the debris, or in my case, snail shells that had gone down, was a nightmare. I finally just gave up. It would have been better if I had a removable one because I liked it when it worked.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Great feedback in here so far! Thanks everyone!

 

[Doctorgori]

I have a Red Sea but wonder why more mfgs don’t use black/opaque glass
Clear fronts I get, but IMO a refgium chamber must be opaque

 

[fishybizzness]

My diy 55 gallon. I used it because I already had it. Got the baffles from a local glass shop for about $30. Wish I had a little more width but does the job!

 

[Naekuh]

No easy way to attach a Auto Fleece roller is what i hate the most about my sump.

I have a Innovative Marine RFS-39... and i have both a love / hate relationship with it.

 

[Kathy Floyd]

Everything is just so tightly fitted in mine. I also need to have the area with the socks cut out so I can put in a reef mat. Plus, there is no storage area. The only room in there fits my ATO jug.

 

[BeanAnimal]

A sump with less is more in opinion! I hate being married to certain sizes in a compartment etc… I’ve built hundreds of sumps and my favorite will always be wide open with just a bubble trap before the return to keep the bubbles out and water level in the entire sump, besides the return. It’s easy to add clip on socks and what not if that’s your thang..

Yep - less is more. Input area to trap bubbles, very large evap area and external skimmer. I like simple. In sump skimmers always find a way to overflow, but some people have no choice I suppose.