55gl wash wanting to go sump... Help please!

[90addict]

So I have a 55gl with hob filter and skimmer. This was supposed to be a budget tank for my daughter's so I didn't wanna do a sump with my first tank. In saying that, I've been battling with trying to lower my phosphate. I started the tank with tap water that I conditioned (insert head smack). Since then I've done all water changes and top offs with rodi. Have 40lbs old mature live rock and some dry rock as well. 2 bags of live sand. Anyway, I'm thinking about switching to a sump system but it's really hard to find something that will fit inside the stand (10.5 in wide inside). I found this refugium sump that is 10in wide. My questions would be, would sump in picture be enough for my tank so that I could take off hob filter and skimmer? If so, which compartments would "you" use for what? If using sump as a refugium in the center compartment, do I no longer use a skimmer? If I need skimmer still, where?
I'm attaching pics of things that I'm running on tank now, parameters of 2 different spin tests showing my phosphate lowered with phosgaurd but then went back up in a week, sump refugium I'm looking at, link to YouTube video of my tank.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

A sump itself is great, but keep in mind its just a tool. It is just an extra tank to hide filtration equipment, but you still need filtration equipment. A 10" sump gives you very little room to add good filtration equipment, I'm not sure its a great idea

The 2 usual ways to lower phosphate is to run gfo like rowaphos, or like phosguard. You can also use a liquid phosphate remover like phosphate-e. You can use your hob filter to run pouches of gfo.

But what is the phosphate level and what tester are you using?

PS - And be careful of that macro aqua skimmer, I have one and I don't use it because it leaks.

 

[90addict]

A sump itself is great, but keep in mind its just a tool. It is just an extra tank to hide filtration equipment, but you still need filtration equipment. A 10" sump gives you very little room to add good filtration equipment, I'm not sure its a great idea

The 2 usual ways to lower phosphate is to run gfo like rowaphos, or like phosguard. You can also use a liquid phosphate remover like phosphate-e. You can use your hob filter to run pouches of gfo.

But what is the phosphate level and what tester are you using?

PS - And be careful of that macro aqua skimmer, I have one and I don't use it because it leaks.

Pics above show the phosgaurd pouch I put in my hob filter. Level was .9 before adding, .5 one week later, back to .9 right after

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Pics above show the phosgaurd pouch I put in my hob filter. Level was .9 before adding, .5 one week later, back to .9 right after

If you started with dry white rocks, it might be leaching out of the rocks, so all you can do is keep sucking it out with phosguard. It took me 2 years of aggressive phosphate removal to get it out of my system.

You can prepare a small batch of new water, and add a rock from your tank and test phosphate, that will confirm if its leaching out of the rocks.

 

[90addict]

If you started with dry white rocks, it might be leaching out of the rocks, so all you can do is keep sucking it out with phosguard. It took me 2 years of aggressive phosphate removal to get it out of my system.

You can prepare a small batch of new water, and add a rock from your tank and test phosphate, that will confirm if its leaching out of the rocks.

I started with 40lb mature live rock from LFS and 30lb of bleached dry rock. Maybe it is leaching out, didn't think of that! So back to the sump, I shouldn't even consider one with such little space?

 

[UnnamedReef]

I was in a similar situation with my 55 gal. I started it not considering a sump, and I had to get creative to fit a 20 gallon sump and basically re-cycle my tank. I'm really glad I did it, because a sump is the way to go over HOB options.

I didn't have a high phosphate problem, but to me the worth of a sump extends beyond just lowering your phosphates. If you can add a sump, I think you should (even if it's small). You could squeeze a lot of rubble rock or bio balls into one of those chambers and a year from now when things have matured more you'll be glad you did. Since you started with some mature rock that may happen even faster.

If you go that route you'll probably want to keep running your HOB equipment at least for a few months so you can ease the transition. Just my $0.02.

 

[twentyleagues]

I'll say sumps are great if they are accessible and of a size that can accommodate your equipment. You could easily put a skimmer is the section where the drain is. Youll have to find a skimmer that fits which shouldnt be too hard. The middle section could easily be used as a fuge. My issue with this is the use of a hob overflow. I dont trust them at all. I have done reef tanks as aio, hob equipment, hob overflow with sump and drilled with sump. Drilled with sump will forever be my go-to if I have a choice. Much neater looking and less head and heartaches.

 

[BetteMidler]

I'm not seeing any powerheads in the tank??? Unless that is a gyre across the back? You need water circulation or your tank will quickly deteriote. You can get some cheap Jebao pumps, the name brands can get pricey. Something similar to the AI Nero 5 on each side of the tank would be all you need. Pick a brand & style.

I would try for a 20g sump with a baffle kit at minimum. Even if that means tearing the tank down to adjust the stand.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I started with 40lb mature live rock from LFS and 30lb of bleached dry rock. Maybe it is leaching out, didn't think of that! So back to the sump, I shouldn't even consider one with such little space?

Honestly a 10" sump (5 gallon?) is too small, even a heater can't fit in there. It won't hold enough water and I would fear overspill. Even 10 gallon is too small, try for a 15 or 20 gallon.

 

[twentyleagues]

I would also say Bashsea makes great stuff. I may be biased as they are "local" to me and I "know" Steve. The stuff tends to be a bit pricy though.

 

[90addict]

I'm not seeing any powerheads in the tank??? Unless that is a gyre across the back? You need water circulation or your tank will quickly deteriote. You can get some cheap Jebao pumps, the name brands can get pricey. Something similar to the AI Nero 5 on each side of the tank would be all you need. Pick a brand & style.

I would try for a 20g sump with a baffle kit at minimum. Even if that means tearing the tank down to adjust the stand.

Honestly, I think it's a touch too much. On lowest setting

 

[Gjedde]

If you go with a HOB overflow id recommend lifereef. Had one on my tank for about two years and never had a problem with it.

 

[90addict]

Honestly a 10" sump (5 gallon?) is too small, even a heater can't fit in there. It won't hold enough water and I would fear overspill. Even 10 gallon is too small, try for a 15 or 20 gallon.

It's 30"L, 10"W, 14"tall

 

[twentyleagues]

Honestly a 10" sump (5 gallon?) is too small, even a heater can't fit in there. It won't hold enough water and I would fear overspill. Even 10 gallon is too small, try for a 15 or 20 gallon.

That Bashsea sump is 18g so should work. Bigger would be better but I dont know what else you'd find that would be bigger and fit the space. I will say @90addict you dont need a custom sump any tank that will fit and is of appropriate size would work you dont need chambers and baffles it does make life easier especially if you plan on part of it being a fuge.

 

[90addict]

I'm not seeing any powerheads in the tank??? Unless that is a gyre across the back? You need water circulation or your tank will quickly deteriote. You can get some cheap Jebao pumps, the name brands can get pricey. Something similar to the AI Nero 5 on each side of the tank would be all you need. Pick a brand & style.

I would try for a 20g sump with a baffle kit at minimum. Even if that means tearing the tank down to adjust the stand.

I would love to fit a 20gl but they are wider than the inside of my stand

 

[90addict]

That Bashsea sump is 18g so should work. Bigger would be better but I dont know what else you'd find that would be bigger and fit the space. I will say @90addict you dont need a custom sump any tank that will fit and is of appropriate size would work you dont need chambers and baffles it does make life easier especially if you plan on part of it being a fuge.

My other thought was customizing one of these thin 16gl tanks with acrylic panels to make what I want. Which option do you think would be best? I appreciate all your feedback on this thread

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It's 30"L, 10"W, 14"tall

I use a 20 gallon tall, so 24"L, 12.5"W, 17"tall, so yours is slightly bigger than mine, it will work fine.

Sorry, my bad, for some reason I thought you meant 10"long, cheers.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

That Bashsea sump is 18g so should work. Bigger would be better but I dont know what else you'd find that would be bigger and fit the space. I will say @90addict you dont need a custom sump any tank that will fit and is of appropriate size would work you dont need chambers and baffles it does make life easier especially if you plan on part of it being a fuge.

Silly me thought he meant 10" long lol

 

[90addict]

I use a 20 gallon tall, so 24"L, 12.5"W, 17"tall, so yours is slightly bigger than mine, it will work fine.

Sorry, my bad, for some reason I thought you meant 10"long, cheers.

The inside of my stand is only 10.5in wide where the supports are. That's my problem

 

[Bosreef]

They just need to stop making the 55gallon lol. I as well started with this as my first tank (boy little did I know back then)
I updated in less than 3 months cause of the awful awful dimensions.