Sump construction

[Cuban_Caballo]

So I'm new to saltwater hobby but I've been reading up on sumps and I'm interested in building one. I currently have a 40 gal aquarium. I'd like it to fit in my cabinet which can probably house a ten gallon or maybe slightly bigger sump. Can you guys give me pointers on important aspects and information on sumps?? Such as ideal compartment sizes, live rock placement, refiguim (algae), overflows, heater placement, room for a protein skimmer, bubble traps (separation) cost for construction. I want to know everything and anything, can someone break it down Barney style for me ??   

[Bergy]

heheh, barney style... heheh, first off that is funny, second, you arent going to get it barney style...

Its too fun to learn and figure out stuff and do things wrong and fix them and all that...  it's the best way to learn, although it might not be the cheapest, but, yea, we will try to break it down for ya...

[Cuban_Caballo]

So i went to the Pet Store today and they didn't recommend building a sump for my 40 gal tank. They said it wasn't necessary and that it would have more cons than pros. What kind of cons could they have ?? I'm going to go through building it anyway as a practice one so when i convert my 60 gal freshwater into a saltwater in the future i'll have a little hands on already.

[Just_Greg]

oh i get it...

less water volume is a bad thing
getting equipment out of your GT is a bad thing
having a fuge is a bad thing
having a lot more options in configuring the setup is a bad thing

OMELG!!!  i'd better get rid of ALL my sumps, right NOW!!!!

pffft...dood, they're SO full of sh!t....anyone who runs a sump-based system will tell you that it's THE way to go if you can swing it.

[Bergy]

i think they were trying to talk him into buying a sump, not building it...

and not sure what you or they are meaning by building it... certainly you should start with a tank already.. then modify it.. but to build it from ground up is not reccomended for newbie, or even me... skilled acrylc or glass people should build.

we can put in baffles though... that is easy...

[Cuban_Caballo]

oh that's what i meant, i wanted to use melevsreef.com as a guide also supplemented by the many videos on you tube by modifying a tank.

[Just_Greg]

funny...when i say "build a sump", it automatically means "add baffles to an existing vessel".  tanx are so cheap, i can't imagine building the vessel.  heck, even acrylic sumps are cheap if ya know where to look, and Renee is definitely the "newfie shopaholic"...i'm glad she mostly shops for tank stuff!

[Bergy]

most reefers would think that also.. who would constuct a vessel, but i am not sure the lfs guys knew that...

which is why they are suggesting he dont do that or to buy some prefabbed one.??