Sump size reommendation

[Barnabie Mejia]

Hello everyone,
My sons (12 and 14)and I currently have a 25 gallon tank and they have worked hard since April doing yard work on the block to earn money for a larger tank and they scored a 75 gal for $100 (lots of shopping locally and making a good buy). the tank was previously used for turtles and is in great condition, just needs a good cleaning (they have been doing their homework on the reef game).

we have a red sea Berlin 25-250 triple pass skimmer, return pump, just bought a BRS dual Reactor, and some filter socks. I think we have everything we need to start building the sump.

We are looking to build one to keep the cost down, and for me to spend some quality time with the boys building things for THIER hobby. they have always been involved in MY hobbies (racecars, rockcrawlers and Harleys) so its my turn to be involved in theirs (something besides the sports cause all dads want to be there for those!)

I was thinking a 30-40 gal? that way we have a higher % of water contacting filtration. am I on the right track, or am I thinking in the wrong direction?

so my question is, what size sump would be good for the 75 gal?

thanks guys!
Barnabie

 

[PatW]

With sumps, the bigger the better. I can always think of something I would like to stick in my sump. For a 75, the 30 - 40 gallon range is quite reasonable.

If your sump is in a cabinet, just be sure that you have the head space above it for access and for removing and cleaning equipment.

You can make a sump using glass tank with glass panes for partitions. You can hold the glass panes in place with silicon caulk.

 

[Idoc]

I have a 40g sump with my 75g tank... works great.

Easy to have some 1/4" glass cut for the baffles. My build thread details how i did mine. I think the glass baffles cost me around $35.