Sump tanks and the best way to set them up.

[wkjames]

I am setting up my new 210 tank and I'm torn on what to build my sump out of. I'd like to go 75 gallons or larger. I'm limited to a width of 26 inches, but I have 7 1/2 feet of length to work with. I'd like to stay under a hundred dollars if I can help it. The further under, the better.
I've considered the following:

1) Wood with swimming pool sealant. - Ruled out due to the possibility of any failure being a potential catastrophe (Hard to do anything with wet plywood)
2) Glass aquarium - OK, except cost prohibitive on a size I'd want
3) Rubbermaid tubs in series - Concerned about plumbing leaks and cracks
4) Rubbermaid horse trough - Good, but too wide to fit under my cabinet
5) Poly tub - Big money ( I priced at $400 for a 125 gallon)
6) Metal horse trough - Cheap enough, maybe line it or something?
7) Aluminum Box - Is this OK in a saltwater environment? Sounds expensive.
8) Stainless Box - Don't know where to get one, sounds expensive.
9) Acrylic sump tank - I'm not confident in my building skills yet to trust that I could build something that won't come apart once filled with a hundred gallons of water

Thoughts, ideas, anyone? If you have an inexpensive place to buy things, I'd happily listen. If you have something to sell, please PM me, as I'd be interested.

[wkjames]

No opinions? Is this a over discussed topic I'm just uninformed on?
Kelly

[David Grigor]

Downside to plywood ( I had a 320g plywood tank with 2 part epoxy ) is the thickness really wastes otherwise usuable water volumne not to mention nice to be able to look from the sides vs. always from the top. Really in order to use rubbermade type tubs you need to reinforce with wood on the sides again wasted space.

That really leave acrylic or glass, Finding a stock glass size that would do the job is always going to be the cheapest. Trick is to find one not too deep yet wide enough ( IE: not 12" widths ) that isn't going to limit your skimmer options. Acyrlic while you can make it to exact space requirements is going to cost you if your not confident to build yourself.

[mattb]

Kelly, check with Stan (energy) , he's got some sumps that he's trying to get rid of. They are glass. If you're looking at acrylic, talk to Bob at Reefmania...

[REEFSTOCK]

I think your best bet for under a hundred is to find the largest used tank you can find.

[morty]

Building your own sump from acrylic can seem intimidating but really isn't all that bad if you've seen how it's done and have access to the few necessary tools. You'd probably need 1+ sheets of 3/8" acrylic for the sump you're talking about, they cost about $160 per 4 x 8 sheet. If you decide to go this route I would be willing to help out and could cut/prep the pieces to the right sizes for the price of a few future frags :smile: Also I am planning on assembling a sump of my own tomorrow afternoon (Tues 4/3) if you're interested and available you're welcome to observe, just PM.