DIY vs. Commercial: What type of sump is under your tank?

[n2585722]

Here is my sump that I made. It was my first time using acrylic to make something like this. The fan holder and probe and float switch holders can be removed by lifting them off. I made those also. I slowly removed the media in the corner boxes and remove them once the tank had cycled and up and running for a while. I kept them just incase I ever need them again.

 

[saltyhog]

Custom Trigger Emerald that I ordered 8 years ago. It's not as pretty today as it was then. Jealous of all you guys with the DIY skills!

 

[Alexraptor]

Haven't run a sump of any sort in years, but back on my original 15 I first had just a couple of acrylic tanks stacked inside eachother, followed by a DIY corner-refugium build.

Proper DIY with baffles cut to order from a surplus piece of cover glass.

Sadly the bottom cracked when I shut down the system, and forgot to turn off the heater, and just let the water evaporate. Did leave me with a funny solid mineral block solidified around the heater.

 

[TWYOUNG]

Previously, I had a retail sump, but for the last 2+ years I've been using a DIY sump I built from a new 55 gal tank with an Exotic Marine Systems sump kit. I appreciated the flexibility of design, the process of building the sump, as well as the look & efficiency of the DIY sump and will most likely stick with DIY sumps going forward.

How about a pic!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I run Bashsea sump with Bashsea reactor and other components

 

[Kfactor]

Am a diy all the way I can custom build it to what ever I need this is my current one

 

[MoshJosh]

My sump is a bucket. . . Literally.

 

[19Mateo83]

I got a marine bio systems kit off of eBay and had it tweaked to fit a Seapora 20L. @jpnegrete14 , you can see how I put mine together in my build thread and feel free to ask questions. Yours is coming along nicely

 

[PotatoPig]

DIY.

20Long from Petco’s half price sale-$25
Three glass baffles from local glass place - $30
Silicone - $10
Total: $65

Considering upping to a 40 breeder but may need to rework a part of the DIY stand base.

 

[Jubei2006]

Definately not a stock sump.

 

[JonoH]

I recently picked up a My Reef Creations 48" Sump for my 6' tank.
Really nice piece of gear...but i am adding in another baffle so i can run a fuge also!

 

[alabella1]

Lifereef all day!! Talk to Jeff and design exactly what you want and have a pro build it for you!

 

[Bj’s Reef]

I was on the fence about building a diy sump. However you guys have inspired me to give it a go.

 

[MoMoTheMonster]

DIY 40 Breeder with Jax Racks kits:

Skimmer - returns - refugium

(picture taken during leak testing)

 

[trevorhiller]

My current sump came with my tank, so it is commercial. But for my in-progress build I'm using a Rubbermaid Stock Tank as the sump. Voted DIY because after having a pre-configured sump, I'd never go with one again. The only caveat would be winning the lottery to be able to afford one of those crazy MRC sumps with a roller mat and UV built-in. Those things are pretty sick.

It's funny the hobby went ULTRA-COMPARTMENTALIZED with "high-end" overdone sumps in recent years past. Now with roller mats catching on, I'm predicting the hobby goes back to bare-bones minimalist sumps in the coming years. Or at the least, modular ones that allow some flexibility with the layout to accomodate socks, rollermats, no mechanical filtration, etc.

 

[Rjramos]

I make my own sumps custom to fit out of plexiglas. Always a perfect fit!

 

[Timfish]

DIY

Here's the sump/refugium layout



for this tank

 

[MoshJosh]

My sump is a bucket. . . Literally.

 

[ReefEco]

Here's my triple DIY sump setup : ) (photo is curved due to panoramic image)

 

[Hard2bej]

I voted DIY, yes commercial sumps are “cool” and “better” looking, and easier, just buy and go but for me, I want to spend the money where it matters. My sump isn’t on display, nobody really sees it, it’s not a focal piece so I just need it to do what it’s suppose to do. 40 gal breeders, glass cut pieces for baffles and whatever else I want. I can build 4-5 sumps for the cost of a commercial one. I’ve never owned a commercial sump so I can’t comment on that but I’ve had zero issues with my DIYs so I see no reason to spend the money.