Buy or build a sump.

Still on the fence about this the last tank which was a 125 gallon ran fine without a sump but we are thinking about moving up to a 180 or 220. And am really thinking it's time for a sump. So do I buy one or convert a tank into one and if so how big of a tank would I need for.the future bigger tank. As always thanks in advance.

 

Do you still have your 125? I would buy that 220 and convert the 125 to a refugium. Its pretty easy and you'll be glad you did.

 

the prices on sumps to me is crazy.. I am going to be buying a 40L tank for a sump/fuge for my 135. I am not a big DIY guy but from the look of it will be a fun project and save a few hundred.

So in my opinion I would go with making your own and a 55 or 75 would be good but you need to figure out if it will go outside or inside the stand and then the dimensions of your stand and what would fit best.

My stand is forcing me to go 40L which is 48x12x16 due to the width do to how they supported it inside (acrylic tank and stand) and the height do to access restrictions from the front.. All things to keep in mind. This is just my opinion and will be my first DIY SUMP/fuge build.

 

I agree with converting your 125 to your new sump.

If you have a 125 w/o a sump- was it FOWLR?

Ya know, you don't have to use 'tanks' for a sump. Lots of possibilities- I'm currently using a Rubbermaid Roughneck- 55g rectangular container- $17 at Menards for my sump, and a few smaller plastic containers inside of it for the dividers/sections, etc.
Works perfectly. The whole cost for the sump on my current 125reef set up was about $25 total- for the items I use as my sump- which works the same as any $500 sump.

If money was no object for me, I might have bought a sump-

PS- I have a 180 that I'm transferring my current 125 Reef to this May, and will we using my 125 for my sump at that point- can't wait!

 

sump prices are ridiculous in my opinion...the only acrylic one that has a normal price and contruction is good (i just bought one) is this one....35 Gal Refugium Sump Wet Dry Aquarium Filter 36x15x15 Great Value High Quality | eBay

 

Building a sump is pretty easy and you can do it to your own specifications or design. I used a 30 long AGA glass aquarium, 1/4" acrylic I cut and trimmed with a router and clear silicone and its been in operation over 10 years now with no problems at all.

 

That looks OK- they sdhould change the title though, it's not a 'wet dry', it's actually not bad, still pricey IMHO, but not as far as sump prices go though.

 

it is still fairly pricey for a sump. But laziness kicked in and compared to other sumps of a similar size, it was a lot better price. It's still holding up great on my new 90. had to reduce the flow quite a bit on the DC12000 pump.

 

It's still pricey if you add the $75 for shipping.

I'm thinking of building my own sump when the time comes. It seems easy to do!;D

 

Ok here is the 500 dollar question. If you use a rubber maid tub how do you glue all of the dividers in it. I have a 75 and a 125 gallon tank that I was planning to sell then get the 180-220. Do you need a 125 as your sump or could I use the 75. Not being cheap just want to do the right thing. Also thought about just getting a drilled tank and plumbing my rena xp4 in under it. How bad would that be. Again thanks very much.