Converting 29 gallon tank to salt with sump

under_the_see_mon · Jun 6, 2024

Hello all,

I've been reefing for the past year with a canister filter. I converted my freshwater to salt water after my fish died. My tank lasted a year with the canister until it broke. My corals never really thrived. I upgraded my lights to AI Prime HD 16s recently. Now that my canister filter broke I'd like to go the sump route. Give it a shot before investing into a bigger reef ready tank. All I have going now is my protein skimmer and water changes. Need filtration soon.

Current equipment.
Tank: Aqueon 29 Gallon
Stand: 29 gallon stand from Petco

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/aquatic-fundamentals-2937-gallon-wood-aquarium-stand-3742317

Lights: AI Prime HD 16
Protein Skimmer: Tunze drop-in skimmer
Powerhead: AI Nero 3

What recommendations do you all have out there.
Sump
Overflow
Protein Skimmer
Plumbing.

I don't have any experience with a sump. Looking at the Eshopps RS-75 as it looks like it'll fit in my stand. Looking for help to setting it up. Appreciate any help. I'll post pictures soon. Thank you

Mr. Mojo Rising · Jun 6, 2024

You do know that you don't necessarily need a sump or canister, right? You can add a hob skimmer and the tank is good to go. My 32 gallon has a skimmer only, and I do weekly water changes.

If you want to add a sump, will you drill the tank or use a hob overflow? The size of the sump is limited by the cabinet. Will the sump be an open tank or a fancy per-fabricated sump?

How much equipment you will want or need will depend on what you want to keep in the tank.

Personally, with the size of tank and the AI Prime, I would put hob skimmer on the tank and make it a softie/lps tank, which are both usually more forgiving to water quality. It would be an easy low tech low budget tank,

TX_REEF · Jun 6, 2024

I agree for a 29 gallon tank, a good HOB mechanical filter and skimmer would be easiest.

If you do want to go with a sump, here are your considerations:

Check out my build thread, if you wish, for simple DIY sump building and plumbing guidance.

Some aqueon 29 gallon tanks are also made of tempered glass, which means if you drill it, the panel may shatter into glass confetti. You have to check if it is tempered glass first if you wish to drill for drain/return, or use a HOB overflow, which will waste space in an already rather small tank.

Here's a guide for checking if glass is tempered:

If you're sure you want to add a sump to the 29 after considering the above, a standard 10 gallon glass tank would be perfect for a DIY sump. You'd just need a simple baffle kit and a return pump. I recommend Reefbreeders Nautilis DC return pumps, they are affordable, controllable and run silent. I am including product links below for your convenience.

What I would do in your situation is buy a 40 gallon breeder tank from aqueon, petco regularly has discounts or $1 per gallon or other sales, and then use your 29 gallon as the sump.

If you have any more specific questions, I'll be happy to advise to the best of my ability!

Product recommendations:
40 gallon breeder tank, currently 50% off: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/aga-40b-36x18x16bk-tank-170968

10 gallon sump baffle kit: https://www.jaxracks.com/product-pa...2-10-gal-protein-skimmer-sump-aquarium-filter

29 gallon sump baffle kit: https://amzn.to/4aQ8vVQ

Eshopps overflow kit: https://amzn.to/3RfuYEQ

Reefbreeders nautilus return pump: https://shop.reefbreeders.com/products/nautilus

Aquaclear HOB power filter: https://amzn.to/3xd4w7S

under_the_see_mon · Jun 6, 2024

Awesome help everyone. I was just excited to start a sump. But after reading your advice, and considering what I have, I decided to go with a HOB AquaReady HF-M. It has a filter and protein skimmer. Also, has a lil room to have a lil refugium. I'll need a lil light for it.

I'll definitely get a sump when I get a larger tank. For now, I think this will do based on reviews and videos I've seen today. Thanks for the info. I'll keep it simple for now.

under_the_see_mon · Jun 6, 2024

Mr. Mojo Rising said:
You do know that you don't necessarily need a sump or canister, right? You can add a hob skimmer and the tank is good to go. My 32 gallon has a skimmer only, and I do weekly water changes.

If you want to add a sump, will you drill the tank or use a hob overflow? The size of the sump is limited by the cabinet. Will the sump be an open tank or a fancy per-fabricated sump?

How much equipment you will want or need will depend on what you want to keep in the tank.

Personally, with the size of tank and the AI Prime, I would put hob skimmer on the tank and make it a softie/lps tank, which are both usually more forgiving to water quality. It would be an easy low tech low budget tank,

Hi. I was thinking of doing an HOB overflow. I can't drill my tank as it's currently filled.

under_the_see_mon · Jun 6, 2024

TX_REEF said:
I agree for a 29 gallon tank, a good HOB mechanical filter and skimmer would be easiest.

If you do want to go with a sump, here are your considerations:

Check out my build thread, if you wish, for simple DIY sump building and plumbing guidance.

Some aqueon 29 gallon tanks are also made of tempered glass, which means if you drill it, the panel may shatter into glass confetti. You have to check if it is tempered glass first if you wish to drill for drain/return, or use a HOB overflow, which will waste space in an already rather small tank.

Here's a guide for checking if glass is tempered:

If you're sure you want to add a sump to the 29 after considering the above, a standard 10 gallon glass tank would be perfect for a DIY sump. You'd just need a simple baffle kit and a return pump. I recommend Reefbreeders Nautilis DC return pumps, they are affordable, controllable and run silent. I am including product links below for your convenience.

What I would do in your situation is buy a 40 gallon breeder tank from aqueon, petco regularly has discounts or $1 per gallon or other sales, and then use your 29 gallon as the sump.

If you have any more specific questions, I'll be happy to advise to the best of my ability!

Product recommendations:
40 gallon breeder tank, currently 50% off: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/aga-40b-36x18x16bk-tank-170968

10 gallon sump baffle kit: https://www.jaxracks.com/product-pa...2-10-gal-protein-skimmer-sump-aquarium-filter

29 gallon sump baffle kit: https://amzn.to/4aQ8vVQ

Eshopps overflow kit: https://amzn.to/3RfuYEQ

Reefbreeders nautilus return pump: https://shop.reefbreeders.com/products/nautilus

Aquaclear HOB power filter: https://amzn.to/3xd4w7S

Thanks for the links. Good to know for future reference. I can't get the 40B yet. but hopefully soon I'll go bigger.