Been bitten by the bug

[Fishmonger70]

Yes, that's right, it's time to upgrade my 20 gal SW to a bigger size. I've got my eye on a 75 gal setup with a stand and a canopy. What I need is an idea on how to put a sump together for under the tank. Does anyone have any good websites where I can build/put together a sump that is not going to cost a fortune and relitively easy to put together?

 

[Lotus]

If you can, get a reef ready tank, with a built-in overflow. It will save you a lot of headaches.

Melevsreef.com - Welcome! has a ton of great info on building sumps.

 

[Fishmonger70]

I believe the tank I am looking into getting is predrilled and has an overflow.

 

[TRe]

turn yur 20g into a sump, Melevsreef.com - DIY Glass Sump & Refugium

 

[Fishmonger70]

That was one of my thoughts but the first problem is that I need that setup to house my fish/rock/corals until the new one gets up and running. Secondly, the 20 isn't a 20L, but rather a 20H. So that doesn't give me much room inside the tank for my chambers. I'm thinking about getting a 30 Gal to use as my sump. then when I get my 20 gallon emptied I can maybe sell the setup(tank, stand, top, light, filter, skimmer) to put back into the coffers.

 

[Lotus]

The size of your sump will probably be determined by what you can fit in your stand. I know we had to remove the back support for the stand to get the sump in.

 

[jumpfreak26]

For sumps a "breeder tank" will be your best bet, there shallow and hold good amount of water. try a 30 or 40 breeder, or 20 long, depending on space available and budget....

 

[Lorna]

I have a 75g and used a 20L for my home built sump. It fits well and leaves some room for equipment or top off jugs. I built mine with two inflows split between the skimmer section and the fuge section with the return in center. Approx 30% of water goes to fuge with 70% to skimmer, working like a charm.....

 

[Fishmonger70]

Well, I got my setup(actually picking it up on Thursday eve. 75 Gal Oceanic reef ready tank with matching solid oak stand and canopy, Oceanic wet/dry sump, protein skimmer, all plumbing, about 100 lbs of substrate, sump is filled with live rock. Setup is clean and in excellent condition(he's going to keep it running until I pick it up to keep it clean)Got a helluva deal on it. Thanks for Craigslist. That sucker's gonna be heavy to lift in my truck! Can't wait can't wait can't wait. I'll start a new thread with my pics and progress.

 

[TRe]

congrats! thats a nice upgrade

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Nice can't wait to see it.

 

[TRe]

what'd ya end up spending?

 

[Fishmonger70]

I got the whole setup for $400

 

[TRe]

not bad at all

 

[Fishmonger70]

What do you guys think about putting this light on my new 75?
Current USA 48" Nova Extreme Pro 6x54w T5 Aquarium New - eBay

 

[TRe]

that light isnt too shaby but personally if it wer me and was guna go the T5 route id defintly go with the "tek 8 bulb" for only a little more

 

[Lorna]

I agree the 4 x 54 t5's are a little on the light side on a 75g. Especially for light hungry species

 

[Fishmonger70]

Lorna, those are actually 6 x 54's in that light

 

[Joe Fish]

T5's might not penetrate the water well enough to place light hungry corals on the bottom. So as long as you place them correctly it should be ok.

 

[TRe]

i know someone with the tek 8 bulb fixture on a 75g sps dominate reef heres a pic
btw note the sps on the bottom of tank