Sump Calculator

[Abyss]

Hi,

I am in the process of setting up my first monster tank and first sump.

I am up to deciding on my sump size and pump.

But have been reading a lot of conflicting information. Having asked two tank manufacturers what sump size I should use, they came back with vastly different sizes.

So I throw it to you;

Tank: 108" x 28" (h) x 26" (w)

My stand height will be 34".

I have been using this calculator: http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php/sump-volume

This gave me a sump calculator of 24.3 US Gallons. That doesn't seem like enough?

Basically this sump is to provide filtration and hide equipment. It isn't there to add any extra volume. But I want it to be safe in case of any blockages, to avoid floods etc.

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

 

[Abyss]

Forgot to add, return Pump I was looking at is the Fluval Sea SP4.

Flow rate: 7200 LPH (1000 US GPH).

Putting that info into into the calculator gives me a safe volume of 34 us gallons for my sump.

 

[duanes]

To me both of those sump calculations are wimpy.
I usually use 55 to 75 gal sumps on my tanks that are smaller tanks than yours.
The calculator doesn't take into account that at some point you may want to add media, or protein skimming (yes it works on fresh water) or a fluidized bed chamber, or reactor, or a planted area.
Your sump should be planned with room to grow as your experience grows, and allow enough room to comfortably get arms in to do maintenance.
You may also want to use the sump for any extra equipment you do not want in the display tank. In that size tank, you may want 2 heaters in the sump, and want them far enugh apart to run properly (2 undersized heaters better than 1, because if one sticks in the on position it more easily cooks fish). You may want media bags that are easy to remove for rinsing.
Although depth may not be an issue, footprint for all the gadgets is.
Sometimes my sumps are larger than my tanks.

 

[Abyss]

Yes, I too thought it was a bit wimpy as you say. And good advice too.

So, what would you recommend?

Latest info from one manufacturer suggested: 72x20x17 - not sure I wanted it that long to be honest, plus it's getting a bit costly too.

I've already got an FX6 on my existing smaller tank, and part of me is just thinking 'go for another one of them (have 2 FX6's running on this monster tank).' But not sure, might regret it if don't get a sump.

 

[duanes]

To me, a 72" sump on that size tank is not in the least bit out of line.
And if you go small, a few years down the road you may regret it.
I'm not a big fan of canisters, I don't think there is anything magical about a pressurized can that is user unfriendly when it comes to maintenance. To me rinsing media, including biomedia once or twice per week is also not overkill, and when I had canisters the hassle of pulling the can apart, and getting it back running again, prevented me from doing it. Having bio media in bags laying in the sump made it easy to swish out gunk in old water with my 3 X per week 30% water changes. I'd fill a bucket with old water, swish the bag around a few secs, and toss it back in the sump (I also don't use divided chambers in sumps, except some planted areas), I find them confining.

Below a 75 gallon sump, with filter bags on the inflow pipes as mechanical filtration.

I also like to plant areas of sumps for nitrate removal, especially in tanks where the fish eat or uproot plants. The plants help remove nitrates, act as refugiums for things like fresh water shrimp, also make the sump more appealing looking.

 

[ragin_cajun]

The "rule of thumb" on sump size is "20% of display tank volume". The lower bound is the sump has to be big enough to hold all your equipment--pumps, heaters, socks, bio-media, rubber ducky. And then whatever water drains in when the power goes out.

So, I'd say that 55 or 75 gallons is the bare minimum sump size. Really, why would you want to work with anything smaller? You gotta get a pump or two in there, probably some filter socks, and a sock holder--I wouldn't want to do that on a 55 gallon, or a 40b.

So, I'd say "20% of tank volume, nothing smaller than 48X18". And bigger is always better, just like display tank size.

 

[nzafi]

Looks like your tank will be 340g. I have been researching sumps for ages and many people will gel you 30% of display. Spillage you can calculate because it depends on overflow box height but like everyone said you want space for stuff and room to work.

Many people find other types of tubs for a sump instead of a fish tank. If also check used tanks as who cares what it looks like.

 

[millerkid519]

For reference I run a 125wide sump on my 180 and a 75g sump on my 125. Bigger is better to a point 1/3 of the tank volume is as small as I would go but then again that is a personal preference