Hi. I am in the process of setting up a 125g. Is it OK to use a similarly sized new plastic bin for my sump versus a 20 gallon glass aquarium? 
Sump
- Thread starter Rudy
- Start date
I don't think there's any law 
that says a sump has to be glass.
Stilll, I'm going to subscribe to this thread in case someone says I'm wrong
It would seem the limiting factor would be convenience of maintenance. With a glass aquarium, you could make an easy visual inspection of the sump. With a tub, you might have to go spelunking (depending on where you put the sump) with a flashlight. If you don't mind doing that, the plastic tub should be fine.
that says a sump has to be glass. Stilll, I'm going to subscribe to this thread in case someone says I'm wrong
It would seem the limiting factor would be convenience of maintenance. With a glass aquarium, you could make an easy visual inspection of the sump. With a tub, you might have to go spelunking (depending on where you put the sump) with a flashlight. If you don't mind doing that, the plastic tub should be fine.
David,
Thanks for the reply. For some reason, I have had limited responses to my postings lately.
I am curious, yu mentioned I would be making inspections. For what exactly, other than proper function of hardware and water flow?
Thanks for the reply. For some reason, I have had limited responses to my postings lately.
I am curious, yu mentioned I would be making inspections. For what exactly, other than proper function of hardware and water flow?
Proper function of hardware and water level would be the two biggies for sure. Other than that... stray cats? :joke:
I didn't have anything specific in mind, but looking things over on a daily basis just makes good sense. I truly don't see that having a tub vs. a glass aquarium would make that any more difficult.
I didn't have anything specific in mind, but looking things over on a daily basis just makes good sense. I truly don't see that having a tub vs. a glass aquarium would make that any more difficult.
Indeed, a Rubbermaid container can be used as a sump...lots of people do this.
As far as inspections go, I keep all my hardware in my sump (heaters, thermometers, pump intakes, etc.) and I check them on a daily basis. For this, I like my glass sump since I can see in to check everything at a glance.
As far as inspections go, I keep all my hardware in my sump (heaters, thermometers, pump intakes, etc.) and I check them on a daily basis. For this, I like my glass sump since I can see in to check everything at a glance.
If your choice is between a 100 gal or so tub and a 20gal glass tank I would go with the rubbermaid sump. I like the idea of more water volume.
JMHO
Brian
JMHO
Brian
Brian,
I am a little confused. By having such a large sump 100 gal for a 125 gal tank I would basically be cycling 2 times the H2O capacity of my tank right? Is this common practice? I can see the benefit as far as water quality. Here is a question, when you do your semi-weekly H2O change of 20% or so is that 20% of the total H2O volume (~ 225 gal) or is it based on just the show tank's water volume (125 gal?)?
Thanks,
There really is no hard rule on how much water to change and when. I would probably due 10% of the tank volume (13 gal) per week. But this is just how I maintain my tank. There are many reefers more successful than I who do both more and less frequent water changes. Also, if your going with a sump that large I would try to make some of it a refugium. If your going to have that much extra volume you might as well try and get the most benefit out if it.
Brian
Brian
Brian,
Thanks for the clarification. I too prefer to do smaller weekly H2O changes, but stated the average guys choice of every other week. I actually maintain a small FOWLR tank in which I do 20% every 10 days and it has resulted in excellent results.
The main point of my question was if the percentage comes from the entire water volume or just the original tank volume? I think I understand the answer to be from the tank volume alone and does not include the sump's volume, right?
Thanks for the insight.
Thanks for the clarification. I too prefer to do smaller weekly H2O changes, but stated the average guys choice of every other week. I actually maintain a small FOWLR tank in which I do 20% every 10 days and it has resulted in excellent results.
The main point of my question was if the percentage comes from the entire water volume or just the original tank volume? I think I understand the answer to be from the tank volume alone and does not include the sump's volume, right?
Thanks for the insight.
I do water changes based on the total volume of water. Mostly, this is because the entire volume of water is losing trace elements and picking wastes--not just the portion in the tank. Right now I have 2 65's and a 50 plumbed together with a 40 gallon sump (though the 50 is mostly a fuge right now). Every other week, the water changes are about 50 gallons.