Using a 32 gallon trash can as a sump for 20 gallon display tank

Hi everyone,

I have a 60 gallon display with a 20 gallon sump for one year with success.
no skimmer, no carbon, just filter, live rock, Chaeto and Mangroves


I am planning to build a new setup at my other side of living room for SPS. and i would like to know if my concept make sense to you guys.

20 gallon long display tank with Rubbermaid 32 gallon trash can as a sump.

my goal is having extra water volume, extra live rock to maintain the water quality.

please advise

Thanks in advance.

 

While any inert container can be used for a sump, MOPE (and that of others) is that LR or any other bio-media in remote places can become a detritus trap and cause nitrate issues later. Especially for SPS corals, you'd do much better with something that actually removes DOCs rather than just converting them into nitrates, such as a skimmer and/or GAC.

 

Sump

Hi,
I'm not really sure that I'd want a 32 gal. trash can sitting in my living room. Maybe a smaller storage container?

Frank

 

I could work. But like what mr. Bill said, LR rubble can be just as bad as bioballs when not properly maintained.

 

than what would be the correct way to maintain it??

 

You'll want a pre filter to catch most of the debris before the water flows into the rock area. You'll also want to clean the rock periodically to remove detritus.

 

I have a sump with and Algae turf scrubber, and protien skimmer with live rock from my DT. I have been thinking about excess food particles etc going into the sump, and there's some detritus on the floor of the sump. The problem for me is, the sump is on the floor and have a hard time siphoning it out. How often would you have to clean the filter socks?

 

I'm thinking you might have a hard time getting water to move all through the rock... That's the nice thing about a sump, the walls force water to go where you want it, not just flow across the top. Seems to me you'll just have "crap" (technical term) settling at the bottom.

I would use a bin, so the 32 gallons is more left/right than it is up/down. (does that make sense?)

 

I have a similar problem with my HOB skimmer. My solution was to put a hermit crab in there. It's been there for a year now... keeps the skimmer floor clean... I don't have a sump, but if I did, I'd certainly keep a crab (or two) in there too...