Are They Any Good?

[Colonials66]

Looking into starting life on the saltier side of fishkeeping, and am currently looking at tanks. Are tanks that have a built in sump system at the back of the tank any good? Or is it better to get a tank, drill it and install a sump beneath it? Thanks

 

[ky*weremiej]

I don't own a saltwater tank but I have my tropical tank drilled and everything beneath, its so easy that way.

 

[Chad]

Your question is in two parts.
 
1. Are they any good. The answer is yes.
2. Or is it better to have a drilled tank with a sump installed. The answer is yes.
 
I've had both kinds and by far prefer adding the sump later. I build my own using a tank and some acrylic baffles. I just changed my sump out and really upgraded it. I took two 20 gallon long tanks, drilled them, connected them and made one a 20 gallon refugium and the other houses the returns and skimmer. You can't do this kind of customization with the all-in-one tanks. You can do some, but not to the level you can with a drilled tank. You are also going to increase the overall water volume and that's beneficial. I have a 210 gallon tank and 40 gallons of sump, that extra 40 gallons makes a difference.
 
So, all in one's are good, but in my experience drilled is even better. Pick the one that will work best for you.

 

[Colonials66]

Thanks tcamos, that's exactly the answer I was looking for

 

[Chad]

Good.
Here's a great site about sumps I've used over the years. This particular page of it http/www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/glass/index.html had a most baisc DIY 20 gallon long sump design. You can get fancy or go basic.
 
Here is a photo of mine unhooked up of course. In the final set up they are reversed with the fuge on the left but in this photo it's on the right.