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

[RIC13]

DIY Aqueon tanks I pick up during a 50% off sale. Inexpensive and gets the job done.

 

[X-37B]

My 2 systems with sumps are 40 breeders, a 45 and 120, both running no baffles.
You cant find a cheaper sump.for larger systems.

 

[1ocean]

Started this new sump upgrade for the 300...72x22x20....

 

[Indymann99]

Trigger39 with ATO. Cable mgt is a bit of a mess but is functional.

 

[bureau13]

I clicked DIY but more appropriately, mine is custom. I had Glass Cages make me one (ironically, out of acrylic) to my specifications, along with a top-off container, so they could both fit in my stand. Maybe that should be "Other..."

 

[Paul B]

I don't have a sump.

 

[jajasonson]

DIY all the way. Bought a 90 aga display with mega overflow, stand, and 20 long sump, Sedra skimmer pump, and euroreef skimmer for $150. Bought a used Sicce 3.0 return for $50, hooked up silicone tubing for return into the DT and a washer hose for the overflow into the sump. Washer hose is going into a “refugium” - a 3 gallon used animal crackers plastic container with holes poked all over. No baffles. Basically free and works great.

Why bother with baffles? They take up space and give us the illusion of organization/order and efficiency IMO. I have no micro bubbles as is and am pulling out plenty of skimmate.

 

[jajasonson]

I don't have a sump.

Wow, what do you use?

 

[Paul B]

Nothing. Sumps weren't invented when I set up my tank but I do run a reverse undergravel filter.

 

[Freenow54]

Building all new system and going DIY for ~$250
40 Gallon Breeder
Triton Refugium Baffle Kit off eBay - jax.racks

Do you silicone the separator's in place? Also what are the clips top right for?

 

[Freenow54]

bought a commercial sump when I started don't know the manufacturer. Don't

like the size of the sections, and dont know what to put in a couple. Suggestions?

 

[Jim Gomoll]

Do you silicone the separator's in place? Also what are the clips top right for?

Use reef save GE silicone for baffles and the probe holders. You could glue to probe holders in place, but if you use silicon and want to relocate them just slice it off with a razor blade.

 

[Spicy Reef]

No sump, water flow, above tank refugium with whole house 50micron water filter (runs 1/week)

 

[blazn]

How about a pic!

 

[The Todd]

I'm DIY all the Way!!

For my 40 system, I had a free to me 30 G sump that I modified slightly, and runs my 40G Display. It's linear flow, with a skimmer section w/ live rock. botrtom to top to a Macro algae section, then then top to bottom to the Return pump/DIY ATO section.
It works awesome!

** Edit- Oh yeah, btw, that 40b DT top/photo, is after a completely redid it, dried and power washed the rocks, and did a 80% water change. It's kind of stgarting over as my quarantine tank.

Both these tanks are viewed thru the other side as well, in my finished basement.

Then my 180 reef DT. Has a 125 sump that I got for $100, and modified it so that my 180 RR tank dumps the overflows to each end, directly below. One side skimmer, one side Live rock and macro algae. Each end flows to the RP /DIT ATO section. It too works great! I rarely use flilter socks. Winning!!

Both these photos are the 'fish room, in the back obviously.

Reef on people!

 

[Azael]

My sump is diy, made exactly how I wanted it