Sump Sizing

[Puggz]

From my research - they, whoever they are, indicate that a sump should be 20% of the display size allowing for enough room for the installed equipment. I also believe that most of us run them at 50% capacity to accommodate water height for skimmers and enough head room in the event of a pump failure. Therefore, is the 20% the entire volume or usable volume?
1. 200gal display, 40 gallon sump holding 20 gallons of water, or..
2. 200gal display, 80 gallon sump holding the required 20% / 40 gallons of water.

For my project FOWLR, I would want to build something that would be sized towards a high bio-load as I don't want to upgrade in the future.
TIA

 

[X-37B]

Get the 80 if all your equipment will fit under the stand. I run my 150's sump just below 50%, 18" sump im running at 8".

 

[UncommonSense]

2. 200gal display, 80 gallon sump holding the required 20% / 40 gallons of water.

I like to shoot for 33%+ sump size when possible, so I’d go for the 80g if it’ll fit!

 

[Puggz]

I understand bigger is always better, just wondering if the 20% or the 33%+ in this case is the entire sump volume?

 

[fishface NJ]

80g sump size

 

[Puggz]

I like to shoot for 33%+ sump size when possible, so I’d go for the 80g if it’ll fit!

Ok great, so the 20% is the volume of water with double that for the vessel. Or more!

 

[BigDangler]

Ok great, so the 20% is the volume of water with double that for the vessel. Or more!

I like to put my display tank under the cabinet and sump on top!!!! Wait.. where'd my beer go..

Don't mind me.. But yes, Bigger is always better, if ya got the room for it!

 

[Puggz]

Ok great, so the 20% is the volume of water with double that for the vessel. Or more!

I like to put my display tank under the cabinet and sump on top!!!! Wait.. where'd my beer go..

Don't mind me.. But yes, Bigger is always better, if ya got the room for it!

Ive seen some pretty 'interesting ' sumps thats for sure!

 

[BigDangler]

Ive seen some pretty 'interesting ' sumps thats for sure!

Exactly, seen some crazy ones for sure.. Some people have enough room next to their sump and even have frag tanks! Let your imagination run wild my mang!

 

[JumboShrimp]

If this helps, my 150 gallon tanks have sumps that are holding 30 additional gallons each (with extra room for pump power-out situations, as you mentioned).

 

[IceNein]

If this helps, my 150 gallon tanks have sumps that are holding 30 additional gallons each (with extra room for pump power-out situations, as you mentioned).

I am all the way into your sumps. Where did you get them? They look very function over form.

 

[Ryanliyikun]

The “20% sump size” rule is usually referring to total sump volume, not just the water it holds during operation. So in your example, option 2 is the more correct way to think about it—a larger sump that can handle ~40 gallons, even if it’s only running partially full day-to-day.
Running a sump at ~50% capacity is normal to allow for drain-down during power outages and proper skimmer depth. For a FOWLR with a higher bioload, going bigger is always better—more water volume = more stability and room for equipment—so I’d lean toward oversizing the sump rather than just hitting the bare 20%

 

[JumboShrimp]

@IceNein , the "Seamless Sump" system, from Custom Aquariums .com . Bullet proof. They come in a large array of sizes and mix-and-match configurations. Shipping is expensive, though.

 

[IceNein]

@IceNein , the "Seamless Sump" system, from Custom Aquariums .com . Bullet proof. They come in a large array of sizes and mix-and-match configurations. Shipping is expensive, though.

Haha, yeah, they're pretty pricey, but I love the idea. Thanks for putting them on my RADAR.

 

[Puggz]

The “20% sump size” rule is usually referring to total sump volume, not just the water it holds during operation. So in your example, option 2 is the more correct way to think about it—a larger sump that can handle ~40 gallons, even if it’s only running partially full day-to-day.
Running a sump at ~50% capacity is normal to allow for drain-down during power outages and proper skimmer depth. For a FOWLR with a higher bioload, going bigger is always better—more water volume = more stability and room for equipment—so I’d lean toward oversizing the sump rather than just hitting the bare 20%

Kinda what I thought, just interested in what the guidelines mean. I find the best way to interpret a "rule" is to understand how it was developed. Thanks Ryan!

 

[PharmrJohn]

I like to put my display tank under the cabinet and sump on top!!!! Wait.. where'd my beer go..

Don't mind me.. But yes, Bigger is always better, if ya got the room for it!

LOL, more of a tequila moment!