Sump question

[Ekion2023]

Hello everyone


New here and new to the hobby
Just picked myself up a 125 gallon tank
I want to do a DIY sump for it. But I am honestly unsure as to what the optimal size would be. I have been researching but it seems like everyone is using all different sizes lol. I was thinking about doing a 55 gallon. But I'm unsure if that's overkill or not enough or is it honestly just personal preference?

 

[Slocke]

Hello everyone


New here and new to the hobby
Just picked myself up a 125 gallon tank
I want to do a DIY sump for it. But I am honestly unsure as to what the optimal size would be. I have been researching but it seems like everyone is using all different sizes lol. I was thinking about doing a 55 gallon. But I'm unsure if that's overkill or not enough or is it honestly just personal preference?

Bigger the better in my opinion. I'm using a 44 gallon brute can for my 125 and I love having the extra space to grow a ton of macroalgae.

 

[Reef Psychology]

Like @Slocke said, bigger tends to be better. I had a 55G on my 120G years back and it was fine. Plenty of space. Depending on the level of your returns and how much water/room you have in the last chamber you can even make a 20G high work, but it will be cramped. Just make certain you have the intake/returns high enough that it doesn't overflow your sump.

 

[Mystersynyster]

Yup, I have a 40g breeder on my 75g display. Use the extra room for growing extra coral or macro

Have a ton of leathers contained in mine, lol

 

[Ekion2023]

Thank you
It can get a bit intimidating lol. Now to figure out my lights!

 

[theMeat]

If it’s going under a stand you have to consider how high it will be. You want to be able to get equipment like skimmer in and out. Maybe something like a 40 long is a good option

 

[billyocean]

The bigger the better but all of the ones mentioned will be fine for volume

 

[fltt]

I had to cut a hole in the bottom of my stand and have the sump sit on the floor. That was so my skimmer would fit.

 

[Seansea]

Is the tank drilled in the bottom or the back? If not have it drilled before you fill it. You dont want to do a hang on the back siphon type. That is a flood accident waiting to happen,. 125 is a great size tho. Im assuming 6' long. That extra couple feet really makes a big dfference.

 

[RocketEngineer]

I wouldn’t use a 55g because it’s too tall. It would be a pain to work in and remove equipment from which means you are less likely to clean things as regularly as you probably should. I prefer a 40B as the start of a DIY sump because it’s wide but short so you have room to work.

 

[nereefpat]

Yep. 40 breeder is perfect for this, assuming you want a relatively cheap off-the-shelf tank.

 

[Mystersynyster]

Yep. 40 breeder is perfect for this, assuming you want a relatively cheap off-the-shelf tank.

I believe I paid $50 for mine new