Got a tank... now what (sump, set-up)?

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Porthos

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Jan 15, 2007
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Hi everyone,

I just joined this forum today, as it looked like the best fish forum from the few I checked out.

Here's my background... I have a friend that got into salt water aquarims just over a year ago, and he got me interested, so this weekend I finally bought myself a tank. It is the All-Glass 54 gallon corner tank with corner overflow and stand (http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/corner.shtml). A corner tank was my only option as I don't have room for a tank anywhere else, and I really liked the look and bow front of this tank. Hopefully I made a good choice.

Anyways, I plan on starting out with fish and live rock, then maybe moving onto coral in a few years. My friend is helping me out, but he seems to lose a lot of fish, so I thought I should get some outside help as well.

I have two questions... My first question is about a sump. I will be going with a sump right from the start, but I don't have a lot of cabinet space, and the All-Glass website recommends the MegaFlow Model 1 sump with my tank: http://www.all-glass.com/products/featured/megaflowsump/MegaFlow_Sumps.pdf. The sump looks a little small, and is over $200. Would anyone recommend this sump, or should I look into getting one made that will be as big as possible and still fit under my stand?

Second question... I have read the stickies on cycling a tank (my friend suggested using damsels, but after reading the stickies, I'll go with another option). My question is: Do I need all the gear for the cycle, or can I add things like the skimmer later on once I have fish?

Thanks ahead for the help. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions once I finally get all my gear together and get everything up and running.
 
Well first i want to say welcome to Aquaria Central.

The tank looks like a good choice. However, $200 for that size sump seems a little Steep. If i were you i would try looking at Ebay or something. there are usually alot of good deals on Aquarium stuff on there. Other than finding a sump that will fit under your tank you want one that can hold things like a Protien skimmer (which you would need when you get into the coral like you mentioned) and return pump. Also for a tank of your size i wouldnt recommend a sump with Bio-balls. Bio-balls create alot more work since you have to take them out to clean about once a week, or they become Nitrate factories. Try to find a sump that uses just a filter sock. The socks can be removed and cleaned about every other week. I have 4 Filter socks so i can just pull the dirty one out and replace it with an already clean sock. Makes life easier in my opinion.

Now as for cycling the tank with damsels i would have to deter you from doing that. Damsels are pretty expensive, usually the cheapest of saltwater fish (around $5-6) but are very aggressive when older. If i were you i would simply add some feeder guppies since they can survive in saltwater and cost maybe around 20 cents. That way when/if they die you wont have to worry much since they are only 20 cents.

I hope this helps if not i will be glad to help some more.
 
Hey there .... $200.00 for a sump seems outrageous! I stumbled across this Ebay store when I was looking around for tank products and bookmarked it. Take a look and see if you can find something that fits your needs

EBAY STORE

Cheers!
Yash
 
a 54 corner design is little tricky due to the space.. are you interested in a DIY?... otherwise you might have to measure you availible space and get the biggest sump you can do.. that way you have room for a skimmer and a refugium if you choose.. and lighting.. i reccommend you goe with a fixture with full spec and attinic and moon leds but the watts might pose a problem.. do a little research and look for lighting that gives you at least 5-6 watts per gallon.. that way when you plan to get coral you dont have to upgrade... and a lighting fixture with multiple switchs help cuz you can leave the atinic lighting off till you do get corals
 
Thanks everyone for the advice! The ebay store looks like a good option... I'll do some measuring and see what size sump I can fit in.

My friend also told me the fish store he goes to may be able to build me a triangle/diamond shaped sump which could work out best for my stand. I'll also look into the filter sock option, and the guppies.

Just curious... would $100 be a reasonable price for a sump? I'd like to do a DIY, but I'm looking forward to getting my tank running, and I think it would take me too long to build one.
 
Porthos,

Just wanted to say I ordered a kit from that ebay store (the first one in this thread). For a conversion kit, you just need a tank, then supply them with the tank's dimensions when you complete the purchase. Arrived in two days for me, and it's a cheap way to build a refugium. The kit needs to be cleaned a bit when it arrives (had acrylic shavings all over it when I got it), but definitely a cost-saver. Also, if you're adding uncured live rock, I believe there is a way to cycle the tank by curing the liverock in the tank, but there can be a small problem with stench from the ammonia and whatnot. I'm still in the design process myself, though, so I can't speak with authority on this at all. :)

~Snowy :dog:
 
Thanks USCavalry, but I don't think that will fit. The All-Glass Megaflow sump (Model 1) that will fit in my stand is 20"x10"x17", and I don't think my stand could hold anything much wider/longer, although I think it could be a bit higher.

I'm thinking I will get a LFS guy to make me a diamond shaped sump (shaped like this: http://www.canadian-diamonds-wholesale.com/new/cut.ht3.gif). This way I can use up as much stand floor space as possible. Is there any reason this shape wouldn't work?
 
Well ... its kinda hard to tell what size or shape of sump will actually fit in your stand ... it depends largely on how the store measures the inside surface area of the stand. You said that you have already bought the tank ... do you have it in your possession already or just ordered it? If you have it, you might want to measure the largest rectangular surface area inside the stand. Keep in mind though that you will have to manouver the sump into the stand ... so you may not be able to use all the area from corner to corner.

The other option that you mentioned was having a diamond one shaped built. Well, it will be more like a basic triangle shaped sump. I don't see why this shouldn't be possible ... it will only be a little bit more difficult to construct than a basic rectangular one ... but if you LFS can build one for you, that should be your best space maximizing option. The biggest concern with a triangular sump is the strength of the bond at the seams ... make sure they're sealed very well and are sturdy else you'll be left with a flood in your house from the sump cracking at the seams.

Take a look at both options (after measurements) and see what works best for you both space-wise as well as cost-wise.

Cheers!
Yash
 
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