Sump For 100 Gallons?

Teebo · Jun 1, 2016

I am trying to help a friend setup a 100 gallon reef, I have already talked them out of HOB hardware and into a sump. Would a 10 gallon sump be adequate for a 100 gallon display or should we go 20 gallons? I am going to drill the display tank for the lines.

Thanks

RyanCSGO · Jun 1, 2016

You will be better off with a 20, probably best to go 30 TBH
Just make sure it will hold all drainage water if the power cuts out.
The bigger the better IMO, more room for equipment, maintenance, etc.

AZDesertRat · Jun 1, 2016

I have a 30G long AGA aquarium sump under my 100G and wish it was a 40 breeder sometimes.
10 gallons won't do much for you. You will only run it 1/2 to 2/3 full since this is where the skimmer will probably work best so the volume will only be 5-7 gallons. Then calculate the amout of backsiphonage when the power goes off, in my case this is 3.5 gallons (60" long x 18" front to back x 3/4" which siphons back / 231 = 3.5 gallons) which could possily overflow a 10G sump and cause a flood. My 30G sump runs with about 18-20 gallons in it so there is plenty of spare room to contain that 3.5 gallons in a power outage. The bigger the better and longer or wider is much much better than taller for a sump. You want surface area and you don't get as much in a tall sump plus it is hard to get a skimmer and pump over the sides of a tall sump.