Appropriate size sump?

[Killamanjaro]

Still planning guys, but the more I read the more I feel that the sump that would come with the tank I want won't actually be all that good for filtration... mainly due to size, I could be wrong.

32"x15"x15" are the dimensions for the sump that would come with the tank for both a 150g and 180g.

What would be a good size sump in terms of gallons for a 150g/180g tank respectively? Is there a display tank to sump ratio or something?

 

[redfishbluefish]

First off, any size sump is better than no sump at all. And no, there is no standard that I'm aware of, short of putting in the biggest you can fit/handle.

As far as your setup, I'd be thinking 40B up to a 75 gallon tank....and this is for a DIY sump. Any choice of 40 to 75 would be fantastic. I'm not overly familiar with commercial sumps, so no comment.

 

[drtrash]

Figure you draw down of water when poered off add on operating depth of return and skimmer- total vol of sump

 

[Shawn Cybulski]

As big as you can go

 

[landlubber]

32x15x15 is just over 30g and would be on the small end of sumps for a either 150g/180g which i assume is a 6ft tank. i agree that there is no minimum but the reality is the more water you have the more stable you're able to keep your tank.
the only real issue with sump size is you want it to be able to hold the water that the back-flows from your display when the power cuts off and your tank drains down to your return outlets. too small a sump and it will flood.

 

[cracker]

I have a 75 under my 180. works very well with plenty of room.

 

[jeffrey holloway]

I have the Trigger System Emerald 39 on a 150g that I'm very pleased with. It's big enough for the appropriate sized Skimmer and have a nice size fuge that provides great nutrient control. No regrets, but like everyone else I wish I would have went bigger. Best of luck

 

[Killamanjaro]

Figure you draw down of water when poered off add on operating depth of return and skimmer- total vol of sump

Thank you, this is what I needed.

So how do I figure out this is it simply the amount of water that can flow through X size pipe to the pump and then add on skimmer operating height?

Sorry if it seems like a stupid question, never done this before and don't own the tank yet.

 

[Killamanjaro]

I have a 75 under my 180. works very well with plenty of room.

I'd rather get bigger than smaller as If I want to add a piece of equipment or anything else down the line it would be so much easier than worrying about space.

 

[Brian W]

I like to have the biggest sump possible for all the equipment I know I am going to have in it.
I currently have a 85 gallon tank with a 50 gallon sump.
I believe in the largest chamber being dedicated to a refugium. You can grow macro algae or even house fish that may not get along with other fish or fish that nip corals.
If I had a 150/180 gallon tank I would at least put a 100 gallon sump and leave 40 gal for the fuge if possible.
Make sure your skimmer section is large enough for the largest skimmer you can fit, even though if you do not currently own a large skimmer. You never know when you might upgrade skimmers or find a deal of a lifetime.
thats my .02

 

[drtrash]

Water Vol= LxWxH/231

 

[Greybeard]

In this hobby, a sump is like a reloading bench in my other hobby... however big you make it, you'll eventually wish it was bigger :)

I converted a 55g tank to sump duty for my 140g display. Wish I could have used a 75, or even a 120.

Oh... my reloading bench? 8x3, and not nearly big enough :)

 

[Killamanjaro]

Thanks for your helps guys, decided to go for a sump in the 70-90g range. It should fit in the cabinet and still be big enough for what I want.

 

[Jerry Smith]

I have a 75 under my 180. works very well with plenty of room.

Can I see some pics of your sump? I'm building a 180 with a 75 gallon sump just looking for lay out ideas

 

[cracker]

Here Ya go, I use a 20 inch synergy overflow. Simple 3 section sump .Skimmer. return then refugium. No baffles, just walls. I don't have too bad micro bubble problems. There is an older ASM skimmer then a Reef Octo 10,000 water blaster for the return. Only thing is I would have made the return smaller, increasing the size of the ref. Nothing fancy but works just fine.