RE: Sump

[Randy1]

I'm looking for a plastic container for a sump. I'm not sure if I have room for a Rubbermaid stock tank but would like something similar any ideas??

Randy

[Reefland]

What size container are you targeting?

[tray262]

kmart sells some nice tuff boxes in different sizes.

[Randy1]

Well, I might use the rubbermaid stock tank after all, I found some at The Tractor supply store. I read a post here a gentlemen was using a 100 gal. sump in his basement, which is what I have but mine is only 20Gal. The larger volume of water in the cooler basement actually helped control the temperature of his tank not to mention the parameters. I'm seeing many people using sumps almost the size of the display tank...thoughts???

[tray262]

As you said the more volume the easier it is to keep the parameters right. But it does cost more money, bigger skimmers, bigger heater, more additives/buffers, more everything. But I personally think it's safer. Good Luck.

[Randy1]

I never considered a larger skimmer. do you really think I'll need a larger size? I'm going to be supporting the same bio-load but with more water.

[Reefland]

I don't think a larger skimmer will be needed. What you do need to watch for is that you are using a food grade rubbermaid container to remove any possibilities of leaching.

This question has come up in the past and the answer is "yes, some Rubbermaid containers do leach chemicals into the water." And that is according to Rubbermaid. Rubbermaid says you should only use the ones that meet USDA Meat & Poultry Equipment specs. In the case of the popular Brute containers, that would be the Gray, White and Yellow ones.

[tray262]

I don't think a larger skimmer will be needed. What you do need to watch for is that you are using a food grade rubbermaid container to remove any possibilities of leaching.

I'm just wondering why you suggest that a larger skimmer is not not needed. With the added water volume would it not be a good idea to match the total water volume ? I'm still learning too.

[Reefland]

Skimmate production for a skimmer is based on dissolved organic compounds and other waste in the aquarium. Adding more water does not add more waste. Secondly, I like to oversize my skimmers a bit so upgrading or adding a refugium or sump doesn't require a larger skimmer.