55 gal, What Sump? Help the noobie

[Saulsa]

I just purchased a 55 gal tank from a local store for an awsome price(89.00). I really want to run a sump but; why refugium or sump? Difference? What size sump and where to look for supplies?

I currently have a 37 gal with a Bio Marine off the back filter and it works great but with the larger tank id really like to try a sump.

the tank is going to be a reef tank and i want to do it right so any help i would appreciate, thanks.

 

[ChrisRD]

A sump mainly provides a place to put heaters, skimmers, etc. as well as add some water volume to the system (more water = more stability). Properly setup they can also facilitate regular maintenance and dosing.

A refugium is just a "santuary" free of predators where small critters like pods can reproduce thereby providing the system with a natural food supply. In recent years many have adopted the practice of growing macro algaes in the refugium area for additional nutrient export as well.

Yon don't necessarily have to pick one or the other. It's possible (and common practice) to partition off part of a sump to be used as a refugium area so you have both.

A plain old glass aquarium makes an ideal sump. Small glass tanks are very inexpensive. Install some glass or acrylic dividers/baffles and you've got yourself a functional sump (with a possible refugium area as well).

Assuming the tank does not have a built-in overflow, I recommend drilling it or having it drilled so that you can install one. Personally, I prefer to avoid hang-on overflows.

HTH

 

[ChrisRD]

Here's a few links that might help illustrate.

Sump-only setup:
http://www.inlandreef.com/Images/DIY/Pl ... umbing.gif

Separate fuge & sump setup:
http://www.inlandreef.com/Images/DIY/Pl ... _plumb.gif

You can also just go with a large sump and use a partition to create the refugium area...

 

[Saulsa]

Deffinately thanks for the links.

any suggestion on either/or for my 55gal?

 

[ChrisRD]

If you're not sure what you want to do, try to go with the largest sump you've got room for in the stand and partition off part of it for possible use as a refugium later. Then you've got the option to use the fuge area in the future (or not).

 

[Saulsa]

ahh, didnt think of that.

thanks for the help

 

[Saulsa]

I just got a 125gal oceanic sump w/ protein skimmer. Im kind of a fan of over filtration... (thankyou ebay) and i'm not sure what light would be proper for some soft corals.. good community tank ect ect. 230 watt compact? or is MH a Must...?

 

[ChrisRD]

The most light demanding animals generally do best under halides, but there are lots of corals that will do fine under flourescents. Personally I prefer VHOs or T-5s over PCs, but it's mostly a preference thing as they can all get the job done.