noobie in sumps... FILL me in

Im jumping from freshwater to saltwater and been told to ditch the canisters and shoot for the wet/dry setups. How are people setting up their wet/dry filters?

1- can i just use a big rubbermaid tub with a return pump seated inside it and a overflow box running to the tub?

2- Are their any cool diy guides on a cost-effective sump? i'm always worried about the ovewrflow being blocked by a dead fish or large amounts of algae, then causing the tank to overflow.

3- i have a 125g so i have alot of room under my tank for a large sump. for freshwater, i used bioballs and sponges. for saltwater this is not the case, what will i be throwing in the sump besides a heater, return pump, and polyfil to trap detritus.

4- i should not go over 10 times the volume size of the sump, correct?


any advice would be appreciated. thanks everyone

 

Welcome to 3reef!

Yes a rubbermaid container can be used for a sump. Many ppl buy a cheap tank and silicone in either glass or acrylic baffles. Besides the equipment you listed the sump is usually where most people put their skimmer. I'm of the opinion you want to avoid anything that can trap detritus, ie. rock, bioballs, filter socks or pads. I say the last two because I'm also of the opinion that using them steals food from your corals. I run only equipment in my sump and never use a sock or filter pad.

Here's an article written by a member http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

And if you search the DIY forum you'll find a few different sump projects.

 

my sump is exactly what you explained in # 1. There are great guides on youtube for sumps/overflows

 

nice, got lots of info from that link, thx !

if you have a rubbermaid tub, how can you do the baffles?

how big of a sump do i need or a 125g?

Is it better to put the skimmer in the sump or purchase an external skimmer?

 

You generally want to go as big as reasonably possible with a sump a good average would be a 55 for you 125 some like bigger but that should definetly get you going.