Which sump

[tkm]

I currently have 32g AIO, however I’m in the process of cleaning up a used 150g tall tank and stand. With this new system I’m going to have all new equipment that I purchase over time. The tank itself has two corner drains/returns. Not sure of the size the holes, I have no experience with a drilled tank nor how to setup the plumbing. That being said doesn’t mean I don’t have experience in the hobby, just not that aspect of it. The first purchase that I want to make is my sump. I’ve been doing research and I’m stuck between three options:
1. FijiCube Advanced Reef 30
2. Bashsea Bio-Fuge 36” x 14” x 16”
3. Bashsea Smart Series 36” x 15” x 16”

Personally I’m torn between the two Bashsea sumps for the size of the refugium you can use. On my Fluval Flex 32.5 I modified the lid and added a HOB refugium for nutrient control and pod cultivation. I absolutely love a fuge.

Does anyone have any experience or suggestions out of the three choices? Also, I was wondering if anyone had tips or advice for the plumbing part. Thank you very much, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

A couple of thoughts on sumps, one get one that is clear, the reason you look into the sump to see if everything is ok nothing worse and looking in and thinking everything is fine but it wasn't and you simply good not see.
Try to get a sump with a big return area, some sumps have a really small return pump area even to the point that you simply cannot fit a proper return pump in there.

 

[tkm]

A couple of thoughts on sumps, one get one that is clear, the reason you look into the sump to see if everything is ok nothing worse and looking in and thinking everything is fine but it wasn't and you simply good not see.
Try to get a sump with a big return area, some sumps have a really small return pump area even to the point that you simply cannot fit a proper return pump in there.

Yeah I watched a video on BRS about clear sumps vs colored acrylic sumps. Yes it does make a lot of sense as to why use a clear sump, but I thought that features of the Bashsea sump might of outweighed the sump being dark. As far as pump return goes neither one of them really offer a big return area, if I remember correctly, I would have to go back and look. Thank you for your input.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

I have a Bashea sump, I also have a Bashee ATO container ask me how I know this? The last thing I want to do is bash I know I'm sorry a sump builder, just opening to open your eyes to the difference, if you have good lighting under the tank no issues. So plan accordingly.

 

[tkm]

I have a Bashea sump, I also have a Bashee ATO container ask me how I know this? The last thing I want to do is bash I know I'm sorry a sump builder, just opening to open your eyes to the difference, if you have good lighting under the tank no issues. So plan accordingly.

Thank you for your input and advice. I went back and did some research and video watching on more sumps. Although not completely clear, but also not a dark color, I’m leaning toward the Eshopps Alpha Class AF-200 Alpha-Fuge. It has all the features I’ve been looking for plus the larger return area you spoke about.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Keep looking without going down the rabbit hole.
Which skimmer will you use, do you know the dimensions?
Where is Temple?

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Fiji Cube Fiji-36 Advanced Reef Sump 2nd Gen

Fiji-36 and Fiji-44 Advanced Reef Sump Features Fiji Cube Advanced Reef Sump is your great sump option due to its elegant design and unique features. All Fiji Cube sumps come with great features such as a full top support brace to prevent bowing overtime from the humidity and water pressure...

www.fijicube.com

I purchased this sump but it is a 45" model, pre covid and yes still dry. So roller fleece wasn't a big thing back then, I would go with that option now if possible. I have a 72" x 30" x 24" euro braced tank, yes still dry.

 

[tkm]

Yeah I haven’t done much research into the skimmer yet. I’ve seen good things from Red Sea, but that’s about the extend of it. This build is going to be a slow build. I’m refinishing the cabinet, adding 8 heavy duty leveling caster wheels to the cabinet in case I need to move the tank for emergencies. I made all my dry rock myself, hopefully it’s going to work good, I’m curing it now. In about a week or two I’m going to start curing it for live rock and grow coraline algae (hopefully) on it before I even put in my aquarium. So as I said it’s a build that I’m going to take my time with and not rush anything. Temple is about 45 north of Austin, Texas. We have about 82,000 people. I like Fiji Cube’s sumps my only complaint is the size of the refugium in the 30”. My cabinet is way too small to try to fit anything bigger than a 36” and that’s pushing it. I would barely have room for an ATO with a 36”.
The aquarium is a 150 gallons 48” x 24” x 30”.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

When you say you are making your own live rock, what does that mean?

 

[tkm]

When you say you are making your own live rock, what does that mean?

I looked up different recipes online, it mainly consists of Portland cement, aragonite substrate, crushed oyster shell, salt rock crystals and sand used for making the molds. You mix it together put the mix into sand molds you formed, let it dry then put them in a tub of water let them soak, changing the water daily or every other day until all the bad stuff leaches out of the rock. When that process is done I’m going to put them back into the tub with saltwater, ammonia and beneficial bacteria to cycle the rock as if it were in a tank only I’m doing it in tub. I may add some spores of coraline algae and a light and try to grow coraline algae on them as well. Not sure yet. When that’s finished I’ll start the aquascape and setup my tank. There are several threads on making your own rock in the forum as well. I’m doing it this way because I was able to make over 175lbs of rock for like $60-$70. So while I’m saving for and buying the rest of the equipment for the tank I’ll be curing my rocks into live rock.