Tank Size Question: Maybe simple

[J-P]

I am currently looking at a 60 gal drilled tank with a 50 gal sump. For water exchange purposes that makes the tank 110 gallons no?

If this is the case, can I keep a larger than average puffer in the 60 gal?

Sumps are always a little confusing

[jdak]

The dimensions of their living space don't change. I see where you are going with stability with water volume tho. What kind of puffer you leaning towards?

[J-P]

yea.. with puffers the common reply is waste and hormone production.. not really swimming space.

[Brandon8521]

Is it a DIY baffled sump? If so then it will more then likely only hold about half of the actual tank size in water volume. I have never used a sump so far, but if it were me I would just continue with the 50% of the actual display tank method. Its a good question though and im looking foward to hereing what others do with this delema lol.

[RTR]

That depends entirely on the fish - swimming room, current, and complex swimming space are critical for an awful lot of puffers.

Second Bcummings8521's comments on sumps in general - rated tank/sump size is a joke IMHO & IME. My 55s hold in the very low 40s US gallons. My 35 gallon sump is normally just under 20 measured USG. I consider my sump-linked tanks solely as extra margin of safety for me and for the fish. I never consider them on swimming space.

Spare tanks used as refugia rather than filters may or may not hold more water than those used as baffled filter boxes, but it is still way less volume than the tank label lists. Macroalgae refugia may be pretty close to "normal" volume (but nowhere near list volume). DSB, LR refugia, etc. have much reduced liquid volumes.

HTH

[J-P]

Absolutely everything helps. As for the type of puffer I am not 100% certain. I don't know how much swimming room a Porc or a burr fish would take.

If it is not enough room I may go with an "ocellatus" or one of the sharp nosed species.

I understand the need for the swimming room and on further research many marine puffers won't fit in a 60 gal.

Bcummings8521: I don't know it is a baffled sump as of yet. It might be a direct drain.. I'll post pics once it arrives

Still stumped over the sump

I'll weigh my options once the tank arrives.

[jus85411]

get that GSP that you said in the one thread you might try your hands at again!

[Aquarist]

Absolutely everything helps. As for the type of puffer I am not 100% certain. I don't know how much swimming room a Porc or a burr fish would take.

If it is not enough room I may go with an "ocellatus" or one of the sharp nosed species.

I understand the need for the swimming room and on further research many marine puffers won't fit in a 60 gal.

Bcummings8521: I don't know it is a baffled sump as of yet. It might be a direct drain.. I'll post pics once it arrives

Still stumped over the sump

I'll weigh my options once the tank arrives.

you said a 60g? I wouldnt go with a porc in there! Look at this guy. Hes as big as the diver! Porcs get very large, are very sensitive and need lots of open swimming space. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxm2YxE4isg

[J-P]

Aquarist: it was a theoretical question. I understand the need for swimming space just don't know HOW much swimming room they would require.

Now, lets put that theory into practice

I picked up the tanks today

Tanks #1 & 2 are 65 gals each (L60 x W18 x H14) and the sump is 30 gals (L29x w18 x H14)
That puts the total water volume at 160 gals (not the 210 I was looking for but anyway...)

I just have to figure out how this thing is plumbed and get this beast cleaned up. (I also picked up a 90 gal tall L48 x W18 x H24 to boot) and a friend of mine picked up a 55 tall

[xrayjeeper83]

wow that looks like a ton of cleaning

[J-P]

it is ... I have my work cut out for me .... I think they sat outside all year.

I just don't know what to do about the rims. I would like to replace them, but if I can't I just may pull them off.

[Mezzovex]

yum. lol

I have a 40g sump on my 120g, i only keep 30g in it though.

[Brandon8521]

I wouldnt try any large fish since its only 14H. It would make a killer shallow reef or macro bed.

[Aquarist]

it is ... I have my work cut out for me .... I think they sat outside all year.

I just don't know what to do about the rims. I would like to replace them, but if I can't I just may pull them off.

Looks like you got lots of cleaning ahead! Everything I have read for porcs says 125g minimum. Not sure if thats bio-load, swimming space or what.

[RTR]

All of the above.