Sump replacement for IM EXT 100

[Frigideus]

I'm considering downgrading my RFS39 sump from IM to a smaller sump so I have more room under the cabinet and I am looking for recommendations.

I was considering the Bashsea 30x10x14 or the Bashsea 30x14x16, which would leave me about 14 inches of space rather than just 4, but I don't know if they're big enough for 100 gallon. The biggest piece of equipment I am putting into the sump is a Tunze 9410 doc dc skimmer, with the dimensions of 9.8" L x 7" W x 16.3" H, so theoretically it should fit into either option. Another thing I also need advice for is carbon and GFO reactors, as while I find tons of videos of people talking about them, I can't seem to find any showing how they're installed.

I am very open to suggestions, and I would be super, SUPER appreciative if someone could recommend me a good sump that can fit a Reefmat 500, or if they could tell me if the two I am looking for could use one. I really don't wish to be relegated to filter sock hell.

All help is appreciated.

 

[minus9]

Why not use a simple glass tank with a baffle kit? I bought one from Jaxx Racks for an old acrylic tank that I repurposed as a sump. That way you can put the baffles exactly where you want them. He offers several types of kits that fit the common aqueon tanks. They're not pretty, but I also don't think most sumps are worth the price they sell for. He also does custom kits if needed. Which brings me back to my biggest gripe with most sumps, you can't change the layout and they lock you in on the direction the water flows.

 

[UncommonSense]

Well, your sump’s max volume should be at least 25% of your system’s volume, ideally…

So, the larger of your two listed options would fit the bill, assuming that you don’t need the extra 10” to fit equipment like a chiller!

Another thing I also need advice for is carbon and GFO reactors, as while I find tons of videos of people talking about them, I can't seem to find any showing how they're installed.

These are just watertight canisters; they can be mounted above or around the sump, and fed with a pump to dump right back into the sump! — some just toss the whole reactor canister in the sump if they have space!

Building your own DIY sump is also an option here, though you may be limited to the likes of a 20g long tank with your listed sump space!

 

[Frigideus]

Well, your sump’s max volume should be at least 25% of your system’s volume, ideally…

So, the larger of your two listed options would fit the bill, assuming that you don’t need the extra 10” to fit equipment like a chiller!


These are just watertight canisters; they can be mounted above or around the sump, and fed with a pump to dump right back into the sump! — some just toss the whole reactor canister in the sump if they have space!

Building your own DIY sump is also an option here, though you may be limited to the likes of a 20g long tank with your listed sump space!

Do you think the larger option would be able to house both my skimmer and the Reefmat 500? The roller might be able to go in the first chamber since I wouldn't have any filter socks(?), but even if I have to give up my refugium space I may be willing to make that sacrifice. I don't know if I want to try my luck DIYing since this is my first tank in about 15 years and I just want to leave it to the professionals to make something that works, lol.

 

[Frigideus]

Why not use a simple glass tank with a baffle kit? I bought one from Jaxx Racks for an old acrylic tank that I repurposed as a sump. That way you can put the baffles exactly where you want them. He offers several types of kits that fit the common aqueon tanks. They're not pretty, but I also don't think most sumps are worth the price they sell for. He also does custom kits if needed. Which brings me back to my biggest gripe with most sumps, you can't change the layout and they lock you in on the direction the water flows.

How user-friendly is this? I don't want to do something wrong and screw up as this is my first tank in a long time but if you think it's easy enough for a new reefer to understand and execute properly I may look into it. I bought the EXT system over a custom built since I wanted something that would be relatively straightforward with the plumbing and I feel like I'm starting to get out of my depth here, but it may be worth it if I can avoid filter socks.

 

[UncommonSense]

Do you think the larger option would be able to house both my skimmer and the Reefmat 500? The roller might be able to go in the first chamber since I wouldn't have any filter socks(?), but even if I have to give up my refugium space I may be willing to make that sacrifice. I don't know if I want to try my luck DIYing since this is my first tank in about 15 years and I just want to leave it to the professionals to make something that works, lol.

I’m not familiar with the exact chamber dimensions of this sump… However, are you familiar with Algae Turf Scrubbers (ATS)?

These can be used in place of a macro algae refugium, and are much more compact!

This said, you can locate the skimmer in the refugium chamber with the ATS, if necessary… rock can go in the bottom of the filter sock chamber, and under the ATS…

 

[threebuoys]

If you have special space requirements, i vote for diy too.i used a 29 gallon aquarium to build my sump for my 125 gallon tank. I use a fleece roller, skimmer, and foam in it . Also a BRS 2 canister reactor to the side

 

[Frigideus]

If you have special space requirements, i vote for diy too.i used a 29 gallon aquarium to build my sump for my 125 gallon tank. I use a fleece roller, skimmer, and foam in it . Also a BRS 2 canister reactor to the side

Sounds nice. I'm looking at the 29 gallon kit from Jaxx Racks, do I just ignore the filter sock portion if I don't want filter socks, and can I fit my skimmer and refugium and still have the roller? I do want a mandarin fish for my tank so having a refugium to breed copepods would be very nice but I guess not completely necessary.

Also, do you have any pictures of yours so I can get a visual look? I think it may help me decide since you have the 29 gallon as well.

 

[minus9]

Maybe I’m old school, but why the need for a filter roller? I think mechanical filtration is overused in the hobby, but that’s just me. Also, if you have enough live rock and places for the pods to hide, you’ll have enough in the tank for a mandarin. If the tank is too clean then the pods won’t have enough food to multiply. It may be easier to just culture pods in a separate tank/jar and add them when needed. I honestly think people overdo their sumps with so much crap, that it prevents the good things (like benthic succession) to take place. You can make some DIY pod hotels and put them in your sump without the need to light a fuge, etc. Keep it simple goes a long way with creating a successful tank. I’ll have to look up the sump for the IM100 and see what it offers.

 

[minus9]

So what are you trying to gain with a smaller sump? I honestly wouldn’t change sumps, as you can use the second chamber for a fuge and there are small reactors that would fit in there for carbon or other chemical media.
Aquamaxx (aqua ready) has their sigma line of reactors that have their own pump and allow you to simply remove the chamber without removing the entire reactor. You can always run chemical media in filter bags if needed. Unless you’re trying to put other equipment in the stand, I wouldn’t change your sump.
Apologies, I should’ve looked at your sump before mentioning changing things. You might even be able to fit a small reactor in with the skimmer. Do you have a phosphate issue that requires the use of gfo? I think there are better options than using gfo for phosphate control.

 

[Frigideus]

So what are you trying to gain with a smaller sump? I honestly wouldn’t change sumps, as you can use the second chamber for a fuge and there are small reactors that would fit in there for carbon or other chemical media.
Aquamaxx (aqua ready) has their sigma line of reactors that have their own pump and allow you to simply remove the chamber without removing the entire reactor. You can always run chemical media in filter bags if needed. Unless you’re trying to put other equipment in the stand, I wouldn’t change your sump.
Apologies, I should’ve looked at your sump before mentioning changing things. You might even be able to fit a small reactor in with the skimmer. Do you have a phosphate issue that requires the use of gfo? I think there are better options than using gfo for phosphate control.

The reason I want to downgrade is because I don't think mom will like it very much if the ATO is sitting outside the cabinet on the floor. With the larger sump it will not have room to fit under the tank. I'm very new to this and a lot of the guides mentioned carbon/GFO reactors but as someone with virtually no experience yet I don't know which videos I can trust. I want a filter roller because I'm not in the greatest health and it would do me well if I could have a filtration device that requires as little maintenance time as possible. Obviously I wouldn't be spending money on a tank if I was physically incapable but accessibility is something that will make the experience easier. Any more insight on this is very appreciated.

 

[minus9]

The reason I want to downgrade is because I don't think mom will like it very much if the ATO is sitting outside the cabinet on the floor. With the larger sump it will not have room to fit under the tank. I'm very new to this and a lot of the guides mentioned carbon/GFO reactors but as someone with virtually no experience yet I don't know which videos I can trust. I want a filter roller because I'm not in the greatest health and it would do me well if I could have a filtration device that requires as little maintenance time as possible. Obviously I wouldn't be spending money on a tank if I was physically incapable but accessibility is something that will make the experience easier. Any more insight on this is very appreciated.

Is there a closet or room next to the tank that you can put a reservoir in? Also, my best advice to you would need to buy a couple books. Videos and forums can help, but you truly don’t know who is giving you info and if that info has been vetted by others? The Reef Aquarium volumes one and three are awesome, but this book is great for beginners.

 

[threebuoys]

Sounds nice. I'm looking at the 29 gallon kit from Jaxx Racks, do I just ignore the filter sock portion if I don't want filter socks, and can I fit my skimmer and refugium and still have the roller? I do want a mandarin fish for my tank so having a refugium to breed copepods would be very nice but I guess not completely necessary.

Also, do you have any pictures of yours so I can get a visual look? I think it may help me decide since you have the 29 gallon as well.

First section is my DIY fleece roller , 10 inches dependent on what product you choose
Second section is Skimmer, 7 inches, product dependent
Third and fourth sections combined, 7 inches, I use foam here, should have only made one 7 inch section instead of two smaller sections. could use live rock or perhaps grow pods here.
Bubble Trap - 1 inch
Last section - return pump. 6 inches.

Mine runs sequentially from left to right. I don't have any side by side sections.

 

[threebuoys]

The reason I want to downgrade is because I don't think mom will like it very much if the ATO is sitting outside the cabinet on the floor. With the larger sump it will not have room to fit under the tank. I'm very new to this and a lot of the guides mentioned carbon/GFO reactors but as someone with virtually no experience yet I don't know which videos I can trust. I want a filter roller because I'm not in the greatest health and it would do me well if I could have a filtration device that requires as little maintenance time as possible. Obviously I wouldn't be spending money on a tank if I was physically incapable but accessibility is something that will make the experience easier. Any more insight on this is very appreciated.

I expect the need for reactors will be on down the road if you aren't already using them. I have a pair that I used for a while for GFO and Activated Carbon, but I don't run them now. My phosphates and nitrates are stable and I don't need the reactors unless something unexpected happens. They don't require a lot of room if you later decide you need them.