40 gallon sump for 180 fowlr tank

Hi, I am looking at what I need to build a sump big enough to easily keep up with a 180 gallon tank.

1.) Is a 40 gallon big enough for this sump?

2.) List of all materials needed aside from sump tank, silcone and glass sheets?

3.) Maybe a step by step list of instructions on how to make this?

This is all that I can think to ask right now but I know there is much more so all info is appreciated. Btw this is my first SW

 

Bumping this up for you

 

The best thing you can do is watch videos online. As many as you can and build the ones you like. Ive only got freshwater sumps. Similar but very different. Youll need room for skimmer at least. You also need to decide wheather or not your doing wet dry or just wet.
Size wise id go as big as you can fit under there. 40 is a good size but a min. Imo

 

Well this will be my first Saltwater ever but I have owned lots of Freshwater tanks son I know that I want to overfilter a good amount, So maybe a 55 or 60G ST? Also what is the difference between wet/dry and wet performance wise? And is one 'harder' to make or maintain in anyway?

 

The only difference is where the majority of the bb grows. Being bio balls or scrubbie pads. There is discussion on wheather or not the bb is better with including the extra air to water ratio, but I can't tell you which is better. IME itll be cheaper to run it wet.

Maintenence wise I think wet without bioballs is easier for the simple fact that eventually you'll have to rinse those bioballs, individually would be a pain imo.

I feel like for salt water the footprint of a 60 would be better than com 55. Keep in mind you'll want room to get in and out of the sump so the wider the better but also make sure you have head room, literally, to get in and out for maintence. The 60 will also give you more room for a refugium in turn more areas for you pods, bb, and other critters to live. But being fresh water only with experience, I can't tell you if all that is necessary for a fowlr.

For building either will be the same, or pretty close.

If you plan on building sand/air traps which personally I recommend make sure the allow enough water through for filtration.

Mine can't handle 2000 gph and they are spaced at width of dvd. Also make sure there's enough room for water to gather around pump to little space and pump will pull water faster than it can bring back. Anotherthing to factor in with this is whether your pump is Internal or external. Peace of mind put it internal. No need to add an extra leak point.

 

Thanks! I've had bioballs and they are some trouble to clean. I honestly didnt know where to start and what I needed to do to make a sufficient sump. I will for sure make sure I have maitenance room, I'm going to be building a stand for the tank so I will cater to my every need. Thanks for the help, It'll probably be 8mts-1 or 2 years before I even get this tank set up as I might be moving.

 

No problem not a pro with sumps but ive built a cpl and I remember asking aboutthem when I started took forever if I even got a decent answer. Most just buy big canisters. I'm not spending that much hahaha

 

Yeah I quickly over looked canisters cuz of price, gph/performance and maintnance