Need advice on a sump...

[dnorton1978]

I am the guy with the 55 gallon tank currently running a fluval 404 with an over the back filter as well. I aslo have a sea clone 100. In the next 6 months i am doing a complete upgrade to a much larger tank.

My question is this Currently I would like to replace the fluval and the over the back crap with a sump. One of my problem's I face is the opening in my existing cabinet is only 11"(inches)

I have measured the width of a 10 gallon tank and it will fit in there perfectly, with plenty of room to add my heater and protein skimmer. Is a 10 gallon glass tank adequate?? Is it at least a better scenario than what i currently have? If it is very close to my existing set up or will not provide a large enough difference i would probably stay put with the fluval and other crap. Everything is running smoothly and i could tough it out for the remaning 6 months.



If the 10 gallon works, then i am curious as to how to properly set this little guy up. Thanks

 

[dnorton1978]

In case anybody would like to know my purpose for wanting the sump is because everybody is doing it. LOL. Actually I would like a place to hide some equipment, and perhaps have some plant life. The other benefit i see is the ease of maintenace, ie changing filter material and such..

 

[dnorton1978]

Anybody able to tell me if the 10 gallon is enough for my 55????????????

 

[Anonymous]

If your protein skimmer fits into it, it sounds like it will be big enough. You may want to put in a baffle or two to direct water flow and allow microbubbles to dissipate as well.

Make sure that your water level in your sump is low enough that if the power goes off that your sump doesn't overflow. This shouldn't be a problem, yet is always important to check.

One big benefit to a sump is that it allows you to get ugly equipment out of your display, like filters and heaters. The 10 gallon will allow you to do that no problem.

Another benefit is that you can get better skimmers to work with a sump (either submersible, which would be too ugly and large to put in a display, or external), thus improving your filtration options from a no-sump tank. If you ever plan to upgrade your skimmer, you'll need to measure it to make sure it works with your sump.

Good luck!

jayo

 

[dnorton1978]

Thank you for your feedback. How do i set it up. I saw a kit i can buy since my tank is not drilled. Any other suggestion as far as what size pump to buy, and it it very difficult to connect and get operating?

 

[Anonymous]

are you hoping to drill it or do you plan to use it undrilled?

jayo

 

[dnorton1978]

being i will not have the tank to much longer I do not plan on drilling. Again, i should ony have the tank 6 more months worst case scenario.
I mainly just am curious if it is worth my time to do it, and if it makes sense.thanks everybody.

 

[SnowManSnow]

personally, I would forget about the sump for now, untill you set up a long-term tank. I'd use the money to upgrade skimmers

Just my 2 cents.

b

 

[Anonymous]

I would also no worry about the sump if you are going to have the tank for just another 6 months. Save the money for the new tank. In addition to the sump you will need an overflow, new piping, etc. If you reall want to do the sump I would go bigger than the 10 gal tank. I have a 10 on my 60 and it was not large enough for comfort.