Sump

I am looking to build a sump filter for my tank. It is a 125 gallon reef. I
am curently using fluidized bed filters, but want to upgrade to a sump with
bio balls.

The problem I have is that I can't find a pre-made sump that will fit into
the opening of my cabinet. I have a 10" opening that I can fit a sump into.
What are the dimensions I would need to have a sufficent sump for
filtration? Also, is there a type of plexiglass that I need to avoid?

Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Geoff

wrote in message . ..
I am looking to build a sump filter for my tank.
It is a 125 gallon reef.
I am curently using fluidized bed filters,
but want to upgrade to a sump with bio balls.

Don't you have a live rock in this reef now?
Why would you need bio balls ? This is strange...
Do you know how bioballs actually work ?

The problem I have is that I can't find a pre-made sump
that will fit into the opening of my cabinet.
I have a 10" opening that I can fit a sump into.

And this is square opening ? 10x10" ?

What are the dimensions I would need to have a sufficent
sump for filtration?

You do not build sump for a reef tank to have filtration there.
You build sump to hide a heater, skimmer and other stuff there.
Also, to increase the total water volume of your system...

Sump in a reef tank is NOT to be a wet/dry filter known
from the freshwater systems. Bioballs and similar media
are NOT used comonly in reef tanks. Live rock is acting
as a natural, biological filter...

Also, is there a type of plexiglass that I need to avoid?

No.

Don't get the balls, you'll only take them out later.
You should see the food and crud that these things retain after a few
months.
Avoid them.

wrote in message
. ..
I am looking to build a sump filter for my tank. It is a 125 gallon reef. I
am curently using fluidized bed filters, but want to upgrade to a sump
with
bio balls.

The problem I have is that I can't find a pre-made sump that will fit into
the opening of my cabinet. I have a 10" opening that I can fit a sump
into.
What are the dimensions I would need to have a sufficent sump for
filtration? Also, is there a type of plexiglass that I need to avoid?

Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Geoff

Pszemol wrote on 11/26/2006 3:24 PM:
You do not build sump for a reef tank to have filtration there.
You build sump to hide a heater, skimmer and other stuff there.
Also, to increase the total water volume of your system...


Not wet dry filter (correct)

But yes to biological filtering such as refugium, and
protein skimmer, and chemical filtering.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

Depending on the design, you often can knock out a support
and put the sump in, and then screw in the support. It can
then later be taken back out by unscrewing it.

For example this can be easily done with a standard solid
wood All-Glass 120 gallon tank stand.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



wrote on 11/26/2006 2:26 PM:
I am looking to build a sump filter for my tank. It is a 125 gallon reef. I
am curently using fluidized bed filters, but want to upgrade to a sump with
bio balls.

The problem I have is that I can't find a pre-made sump that will fit into
the opening of my cabinet. I have a 10" opening that I can fit a sump into.
What are the dimensions I would need to have a sufficent sump for
filtration? Also, is there a type of plexiglass that I need to avoid?

Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Geoff