Biggest sump that can fit under a 90g? (stuck on pre-made sump selection)

thedraque · Dec 30, 2022

Due to our Red Sea Reefer 250 seam failing I am planning a quick Seapora 90g Reef Ready (48"x18"x24") build. I have always built my own sumps from glass tanks but for simplicity and time constraints i want to just buy a pre-made acrylic sump. I plan on doing a @RocketEngineer stand design

If i build the stand maybe lets say 50"x20" that leaves a 40"x20" center section in between the four corners for a sump. I would love to do something like a BashSea Pro 36 yet I feel like a 36"x18" sump will not allow any room at all for my protein skimmate collector, dosing containers, and 10 gallon ATO reservoir. so i am trying to find a 30"x14-16" sump that can possible fit the equipment i want...

Is it possible to fit a Reefmat 500 + 10" x 6" skimmer + refugium in a 30"x14-16" sump?

My sump "shortlist" is:
- eShoppes AR-200 (cant fit rollermat, but seems like a great sump at a great price with a large refugium)
- Trigger Systems Platinum 34 (expensive, included roller doesnt seem as good as a Reefmat 500 and trigger replacement rolls are expensive)
- Trigger Systems Crystal 30 or 36 (may not fit rollermat due to eurobraced top, split center section for skimmer/refugium but refugium will light bleed into the rest of the sump due to clear acrylic)
- BashSea Pro 36 (will barely fit under stand and probably wont leave space for ATO reservoir, dosing containers, and skimmate collector)

nuxx · Dec 30, 2022

Had a huge Trigger systems custom sump, really liked it. Just my $0.02

MoshJosh · Dec 30, 2022

Change that stand a bit and you can easily fit a 90 gallon sump under there!

Sorry I am no help with premade sumps. . . I tend to steer towards standard glass aquariums as sumps. . .

workhz · Dec 30, 2022

It's a mess right now but this is what my in-wall looks like with a glass 29G sump. I think it's 30x12x18. It's a little tall but wanted the water volume and safety margin.

threebuoys · Dec 30, 2022

I would use a petco special 29 gallon aquarium with baffles added. I use ceramic tile for the baffles....cheaper than glass.

Thats what I use for a 125 gallon reef tank and for a 90 gallon African cichlid tank.

edit: 40 gallon breeder from petco would be another option.

thedraque · Jan 1, 2023

Was able to go to LFS and unbox a Reefmat 500 and stick it in some sumps in the store. ended up buying a Trigger Systems Ruby 36

Heres the results for which sumps the Reefmat 500 fits in

Crystal 30: doesnt fit
Ruby 30: probably fits with alot of cutting
Crystal 36: fits if you cut off filter sock holders
Ruby 36: fits with no cutting

I was able to fit a Ruby 36 under my stand that I made 20"x49". I have a 5"x38" space in front for dosing containers and skimmate collection and i have to order a custom ATO container to fit on the right side

Lex_510 · Jan 4, 2023

threebuoys said:
I would use a petco special 29 gallon aquarium with baffles added. I use ceramic tile for the baffles....cheaper than glass.

Thats what I use for a 125 gallon reef tank and for a 90 gallon African cichlid tank.

edit: 40 gallon breeder from petco would be another option.

When are those tanks on sale and how much?

Lex_510 · Jan 4, 2023

thedraque said:
Was able to go to LFS and unbox a Reefmat 500 and stick it in some sumps in the store. ended up buying a Trigger Systems Ruby 36

Heres the results for which sumps the Reefmat 500 fits in

Crystal 30: doesnt fit
Ruby 30: probably fits with alot of cutting
Crystal 36: fits if you cut off filter sock holders
Ruby 36: fits with no cutting

I was able to fit a Ruby 36 under my stand that I made 20"x49". I have a 5"x38" space in front for dosing containers and skimmate collection and i have to order a custom ATO container to fit on the right side View attachment 2956497 View attachment 2956498 View attachment 2956499 View attachment 2956500

How much u pay for the 36? I was thinking about the same thing but won’t have room for a refugium. This person I know is selling used one for $250 and a platinum 39 for $600 but I don’t know about their roller mat or just get a 40breeder, I don’t know which way to go?

thedraque · Jan 4, 2023

Lex_510 said:
How much u pay for the 36? I was thinking about the same thing but won’t have room for a refugium. This person I know is selling used one for $250 and a platinum 39 for $600 but I don’t know about their roller mat or just get a 40breeder, I don’t know which way to go?

$350 for the ruby 36 with a coupon.. i considered the Platinum but the replacement rolls seem expensive and you have to thread rolla through each roller which seems annoying. if you can fit a 40 breeder that is a great size honestly

threebuoys · Jan 4, 2023

Lex_510 said:
When are those tanks on sale and how much?

In the past they put tanks up to 75 gallons on sale 3 or 4 times a year. Up to 40 was 1 dollar per gallon. Most recently they have sold for half price I believe. I bought 3 29 gallon tanks for 30 each 2 years ago. Get on their email list and you'll get notified when sales occur.

Lex_510 · Jan 5, 2023

thedraque said:
Due to our Red Sea Reefer 250 seam failing I am planning a quick Seapora 90g Reef Ready (48"x18"x24") build. I have always built my own sumps from glass tanks but for simplicity and time constraints i want to just buy a pre-made acrylic sump. I plan on doing a @RocketEngineer stand design

View attachment 2953369
If i build the stand maybe lets say 50"x20" that leaves a 40"x20" center section in between the four corners for a sump. I would love to do something like a BashSea Pro 36 yet I feel like a 36"x18" sump will not allow any room at all for my protein skimmate collector, dosing containers, and 10 gallon ATO reservoir. so i am trying to find a 30"x14-16" sump that can possible fit the equipment i want...

Is it possible to fit a Reefmat 500 + 10" x 6" skimmer + refugium in a 30"x14-16" sump?

My sump "shortlist" is:
- eShoppes AR-200 (cant fit rollermat, but seems like a great sump at a great price with a large refugium)
- Trigger Systems Platinum 34 (expensive, included roller doesnt seem as good as a Reefmat 500 and trigger replacement rolls are expensive)
- Trigger Systems Crystal 30 or 36 (may not fit rollermat due to eurobraced top, split center section for skimmer/refugium but refugium will light bleed into the rest of the sump due to clear acrylic)
- BashSea Pro 36 (will barely fit under stand and probably wont leave space for ATO reservoir, dosing containers, and skimmate collector)

I’m on the exact same boat as everything you named here, but I was even thinking of doing a 40 breeder with baffle kit