Sump size for 54" x 26" x 24" tank.

[David Moses Heng]

Any brothers out here please advise on the above caption?

[BFG]

What would be the sump used for?

[David Moses Heng]

54"x26"x24" planted.

[BFG]

No, what I meant is, would you want to place some filtration media in that sump or just as a water collection area with a compartment of top-up water?

Here's my idea.
A 4ft sump with 3 compartment. The 1st compartment is where water is being brought into. Size of the compartment is 3/4 to 1ft width?

The 2nd compartment is where the water flow into. You could place your equipment here eg the canister filter, external co2 reactor and a water top-up gadget here. The canister filter will pull in water from this compartment and filter it. It will then push the water into the external reactor and from there either it goes into the chiller or back to the main tank.

The 3rd compartment will act as a water storage area to pump in water automatically into the 2nd compartment in the event of evaporation. Doesn't need to be a big compartment, max 1ft width should be enough.

Why the need to place the equipment in the 2nd compartment?
As always, leak is a big problem in this hobby and no canister filter is immune to it. So by placing the canister filter in this compartment, any leak is captured by the sump. The canister filter can be placed into the water but not the whole canister filter. Only problem I see is that when you need to take out the canister filter, it will be wet and it may not be easy to remove the filter depending on the height of the sump and the cabinet. The remaining space in the cabinet would have the co2 tank as well as some tools, fertiliser and fish food for the tank.

Or,
A 3ft sump with 3 compartment. 1st would be the water storage compartment.

2nd compartment would be where the tank water flow into the sump and flow into the 3rd compartment. The canister filter would be placed outside the sump though. Space would be tight if you using 2 canister filter.

Or,
A 2ft sump with 2 compartment, foregoing the water storage area. Canister filter placed outside the sump but you'll have space for a few canister filter.

Just a guess.

[bossteck]

Hi,

I think you can do this 'by elimination'. In general, your sump should be as big as you can afford, in terms of width, length and height.

Width of sump will obviously be limited by your cabinet/stand
Length will be limited by what other equipment you plan to have under your tank (e.g. if you want to have chiller, then you can have the entire space under your tank)
Height is limited by the space between the base of cabinet and the base of your main tank, but don't forget you need to have allowance for your to perform maintenance such as changing filter wool etc).

Due to evaporation, you will find that your pump will start to take in air when the water level in the sump gets too low due to evaporation, some people get an auto top-off device. I use manual power. My advice is, go for as high a sump tank as you possibily can.

Cheers!

[bossteck]

Hi Rohaizal,

You got me a little confused. I thought people use sump as an alternative for cannister filters?

[David Moses Heng]

Thanks Eric and BFG, the purpose of the sump is basically to act as a filter bed. i will be doing away with the canisters. After checking out ADA Huge natural tank and catalogue(they are using a sump measuring 95cm by 40 cm by 35 cm for a 6 ft by 2 ft by 2 ft tank), i believe i will use this measurement except that the sump will be 95 cm by 45 cm by 45 cm. My intended tank will only be a 4.5 ft by 26" x2ft with mid rear IOS.

Cheers!!

[BFG]

Hi Rohaizal,

You got me a little confused. I thought people use sump as an alternative for cannister filters?

Bossteck, in my personal opinion, a sump is a multi purpose tool for aquarist. It can be used as a filtration unit or as a compact holding area for equipment to be placed into. The sky's the limit for a sump design and it's up to the owner to design one to fit his needs. Hence the multiple suggestion. There's no 1 sump fits all design. It's just another tank with compartment for different use.

Hope this helps!

[bossteck]

Hi,

I see what you mean. My understanding of a sump is pretty narrow compared to what you have shared. Thanks!