Why no 40 gallon long sump kits?

[aggiejames]

I noticed there’s 100 sump kits out there for 40 gallon breeder tanks but none for 40 gallon long? Maybe I’m missing something but I’m considering a 40 long for the extra length and surface area to grow Cheato for my new build. Am I out if luck?

 

[Timfish]

My guess would be there isn;t any demand because most people use 40 breeders. I'm pretty sue the surface are between both is the same. I use just empty sumps without all the dividers so I certainly don't think you're out of luck if you prefer a 40 long. If you do want dividers it's pretty easy to cut or have cut acrylic panels you can silicone in place (be sure to silicone both sides).

 

[aggiejames]

My guess would be there isn;t any demand because most people use 40 breeders. I'm pretty sue the surface are between both is the same. I use just empty sumps without all the dividers so I certainly don't think you're out of luck if you prefer a 40 long. If you do want dividers it's pretty easy to cut or have cut acrylic panels you can silicone in place (be sure to silicone both sides).

The dimensions of the 40 long is definitely not the same. The breeder is taller vs longer and I feel like the light shine on the long will allow me to produce more chaeto. While I know you may be asking who cares about chaeto, I actually use chaeto sales as a way to pay for a big chunk of the hobby so being able to grow more chaeto to sell is super helpful to me.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I just used a 20g long baffle kit on a previous 40 long sump I had. Both tanks are 12" deep, just 16" high on the 40g instead of 12" high on the 20g

 

[aggiejames]

I just used a 20g long baffle kit on a previous 40 long sump I had. Both tanks are 12" deep, just 16" high on the 40g instead of 12" high on the 20g

Thank you! I’ll give this a try. I’m looking for one with a filter roller compartment. Did the kit you used work well for you? Do you have a link?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

You can do whatever you want.... I bought one from eBay with a adjustable height baffle. Search baffle kits to your heart's content.

The roller, I just didn't install the sock hanger when I silicone it in.

 

[Timfish]

The dimensions of the 40 long is definitely not the same. The breeder is taller vs longer and I feel like the light shine on the long will allow me to produce more chaeto. While I know you may be asking who cares about chaeto, I actually use chaeto sales as a way to pay for a big chunk of the hobby so being able to grow more chaeto to sell is super helpful to me.

Yes, I know they are different sizes. To determine surface area for gas exchange I use only length X width. As I recall, correct me if I'm wrong, a 40 breeder is 36" X 16" = 576 sq in surface area. A 40 long is 48" X 12" = 576 sq in surface area. I seems to me even if there's some difference in surface area, if it's not much, the size that fi'ts your space and is easier to access and do maintenance is the better choice.

 

[aggiejames]

Yes, I know they are different sizes. To determine surface area for gas exchange I use only length X width. As I recall, correct me if I'm wrong, a 40 breeder is 36" X 16" = 576 sq in surface area. A 40 long is 48" X 12" = 576 sq in surface area. I seems to me even if there's some difference in surface area, if it's not much, the size that fi'ts your space and is easier to access and do maintenance is the better choice.

Great point and you are correct!

I am just not sure the refugium area would end up being the same area in the 48x12 footprint but I appreciate the feedback. Definitely considering this for more than just gas exchange.

 

[GARRIGA]

Great point and you are correct!

I am just not sure the refugium area would end up being the same area in the 48x12 footprint but I appreciate the feedback. Definitely considering this for more than just gas exchange.

Wouldn't you get the same surface area of chaeto lighting 48x12 as 36x18? Can run the same depth of water and place the lights inside the 40 breeder to obtain the same PAR values. Being taller only a limitation if cumbersome to work with due to stand height.

 

[aggiejames]

Wouldn't you get the same surface area of chaeto lighting 48x12 as 36x18? Can run the same depth of water and place the lights inside the 40 breeder to obtain the same PAR values. Being taller only a limitation if cumbersome to work with due to stand height.

Same surface area for the overall tank, but with it being wider and shorter, I would not get the same surface area in the refugium area if I use baffles. I'll lose some surface area to the wider tank with unused space in the skimmer and return areas. That will translate to less available space where I need it. I laid it out today and the breeder is doable but I think I am going to go the 40 long route with the 20 long baffles or make my own.

 

[GARRIGA]

One option I've considered is running skimmer in return chamber and running return pump through reactor filled with appropraite sized foam to remove micro bubbles as well as any particulates to enhance the calrity of that entering the display. Would allow for larger Fuge chamber.

Another option is eliminate the skimmer since chaeto will remove same organics, remove co2 and add oxygen. Just create two chambers and have them run on opposing light schedules or run that chamber 24/7 and peg the lights to co2 so they turn off only if pH rises higher than preferred due to extraction of co2 by chaeto. Keep it simple. Fact is return pump doesn't need to be in the sump and can be plumbed externally with that reactor to remove micro bubbles post pump or before it as well as keep it from clogging with lose chaeto.

External pump eliminates need for baffles. Allows going with the largest tank that fits underneath which would be 48x18 low boy style or as tall as cabinet allows since maintenance is having enough space to fit hand to pull chaeto out. Taller tank also provides margin of error should power go out and overflow drains large amount of water.

In the 80s knew two employees at separate LFS running tubs with caulerpa on top of their wet dry with nothing more complicated than Eheim pump drawing water from sump into tub that overflowed back to sump and back then home depot shop lights were the only lighting options and it worked. This was before the popularity of the Berlin Method was widely known or even known.

Might as well remove anything that extracts that which feeds the chaeto if growing it for profit is a requirement and maximum space needed.

 

[aggiejames]

As is almost always the case, I was way overthinking this. Finally just mapped it out to see what the actual difference would be and it turns out I am a moron and should have just gone with the breeder all along. I get more surface area for chaeto in the breeder. I also get those 12" of room back in the cabinet for other fun things.

 

[gkprevite]

You could also pretty easily make your own baffles. This way your sump is best suited for your purpose.