23" tank too tall for a sump?

[darklcd]

Hey all

I am trying to get an idea if my tank that I wanted to use for a sump is too tall. The tank measures 30" x 12" x 23" and I have never built a sump so I don't know. There is a lot of volume for water with the height but I think that may also hinder things.

Any thoughts?

 

[Herefishyfishy]

The only thing that limits the size of the sump is the opening in the stand (if located there) and the ability to add and remove large equipment such as skimmers. If the sump has nothing over it, the deeper the better...

 

[Peppie]

Most skimmers need to set in 8''-11'' of water to work properly. You would need to build a platform for it to sit on if you wanted to use full height of the sump. Not a problem until you try to get your skimmer under the stand, unless your stand is built tall

 

[darklcd]

I am building hte stand to be 33 to 36" I have not decided yet so if that is the only thing to worry about i will be set

 

[T1tan360]

as long as it fits in your stand you are good keep in mind that just because it will fit doesnt mean it will work with your skimmer. you are going to need to be able to remove the skimmer cup. this one is 20" tall and i had one hell of a time getting my skimmer cup out without spilling it in my sump. i had to carry it all the way over to the right to get it out

but if you are building your own stand you can accomidate it for your sump. and put and access door on the sides so if you ever want ot change out your sump for a larger one you can just slide it out the side. and not have to do this

my old sump started leaking and i had to remove the center brace to get it out with a fully stocked 210 on top.

 

[darklcd]

Maybe an inline skimmed might be something to think about for me?

 

[T1tan360]

inline skimmer? i never heard of one you can get an external skimmer and put your skimmer on the other outside of the sump. that way you dont have to worry about manuvering the cup over the sump and risk dumping it. ive done it its not fun

 

[Peppie]

How tall is your skimmer? Do you have it yet? Have you choose a certain model? This will define the height of your stand.

 

[darklcd]

I have a feeling with what I want to do I will end up running an aquac ev120 or 180 if they are worth the cash that way I can keep the skimmer out of the sump and set up a larger fuge

 

[T1tan360]

the MRC series skimmer are pretty awesom. i have one right now on my tank with a sedra 20000 as my feed pump. im going to add a 8" extension riser on it, another becket intake and another sedra 20000 pump to make the skimmer rated for 500g. i like these skimmers because you can upgrade them without having to buy another skimmer.

 

[Krish]

I have a feeling with what I want to do I will end up running an aquac ev120 or 180 if they are worth the cash that way I can keep the skimmer out of the sump and set up a larger fuge

I had the AquaC Ev120 and it did the job for me and I was happy with it. Not sure how the skimmer would have performed under a heavy bioload because I kept a very small bioload and also kept a pretty clean tank, but for my purposes, the skimmer worked well. With the AquaC's you can run them internally or externally, but the skimmer will need to be raised as it has a height requirement that needs to be met in order for it to function properly. Here are two pictures below of how I had the AquaC EV-120 plumbed on two different setups of mine. One was setup to be used in sump and the other one externally. HTH.

 

[darklcd]

what is the best height for the 120 as I am trying to plan the sump both with the skimmer in it and out. I also wanted to know what the height of the water outlet is so I can adjust the plan for that.

 

[Krish]

what is the best height for the 120 as I am trying to plan the sump both with the skimmer in it and out. I also wanted to know what the height of the water outlet is so I can adjust the plan for that.

Man...I would be 100% lying if I said I remember the height requirement on them . It's been literally years since I used that skimmer on a setup. My daughter is 5 now which means it has been 5 years since I used one. After she was born I went to an all-in-one nano and used a hang on skimmer from then. I think you can download their manual though to get the info if I remember correctly. If you don't find it, let me know and I'll see if I can find the old manual for the one I had. I think I may still have that packed away somewhere with my other manuals.

 

[darklcd]

no big deal I might try and find a shorter tank so that its works better I have been looking at different premade sumps and I see that most of them run around 15 gal of water and I don't need a 30 gal tank for that.