Sump Size

Can anyone help me out I have been doing a lot of reading on sumps systems but I haven't been able to figure out what size system I need to support my tank. Its a 100g and it looks like people have used anywhere from a 20g, to a 40g breeder, to a 55g and even 2 55g tanks. Is there not a common rule of thumb for this?

Thanks,

 

the bigger the better is always a good rule of thumb imo

 

Some people can only fit a 20 or can only afford that. But that is better than no sump. If money was not ideal I would go with a 75 and never have to upgrade my sump of I get a new tank. In this case the bigger the better. More water volume is more stable.

 

And also if u go big you will have room for a fuge what is good

 

A sump is not necessary at all if you don't mind using all HOB equipment.

As stated, bigger is better though- a lot of those using 2 tanks started small then had to add the second one when they decided to upgrade their filtration.

 

Yeah, you could always just mod an aquaclear 110 into a fuge.

 

It all depends on what you want in your sump as well. And where it will be. If it has to be underneath the tank, then go as big as you can(or will fit underneath). more water volume is always better, and the more room there is, the more space for bubbles to dissipate.

 

Figure out the size your equipment you will put in your sump and if you want a fuge or not. Go from there the bigger the better but as said before space and money are always issues. I myself have been trying to get an answer of can you go to small but I have yet to get an answer.

 

@ kwinter1...

yes I suppose that is my next question...can you go to small ?

 

You could, if you have a 10 gallon tank and you try sticking a huge protein skimmer in it, youll be SOL. kinda common sense no... You cant go wrong with the size. It has no rules. its like saying if your tank had a 20 gallon sump vs a 55 gallon one. theres no rule to say the 20 is better than the 55 or vice a verse. Its whatever you need to house all your equipment in it for your filtration. Thats all a sump is, is a place to remotely keep your filtration system away from your Display to make it look more natural.

Just stop for a second. grab a tape and measure the space you have to work with and find something that coincides with those dimensions. If size isnt an issue than turn to your bank and see what your budget can work with.