55g Sump Price?

[Jaxsco]

I'm wanting to get a sump for the 55 gallon mbuna tank I'm planning. How big would it have to be and about how much would it cost?

 

[TexasDomer]

Are you going to buy a premade sump, or are you going to build it yourself? It would be much cheaper if you made it yourself - $55 for the tank + baffles and silicone.

 

[Jaxsco]

I have no problem making my own and if it's cheaper I'll go that route. How big should the tank be? And how would I do the overflow box??

 

[TexasDomer]

Oh I misread that. I thought you were making a 55 gal into a sump.

A 40 breeder would be a great size, but you could go smaller if you needed to.

I considered an HOB overflow box but I read too many horror stories online, so I drilled my tank and siliconed an overflow box in instead.

 

[Jaxsco]

How hard is it to drill a tank? I've never done it before and I'd hate to mess it up. Would a 20 or 30 gallon work?

 

[TexasDomer]

It's not hard, but you need the right equipment. There might be people around you who know how and can do it for you? I asked a friend with experience do it for me. I sat and watched, and it only took around 15 minutes for him to do 3 holes.

 

[Jaxsco]

I know a bunch of people who can probably do it for me. I also want to ask something else. Is a sump even worth it cost wise on a tank of that size? It seems like it would run more than a canister.

 

[Big Red]

A 20 gallon would be fine . Drilling may be stressful at first but not near as stressful as wondering if the system will break syphon and flood sump or dt.

 

[TexasDomer]

It doesn't have to be super expensive, but you don't need a sump for this tank. A canister would be completely fine. I'm working on a sump for a 44 gal pentagon tank just to have the experience of setting it up.

 

[Jaxsco]

A 525gph canister would be good right?

 

[Big Red]

Yea that's almost 10x turnover be more like 7 to 8 after media but should be fine.