10 gallon sump for 10 gallon reef?

[Odobenus rosmarus]

I have a 10 gallon in the process of being set up for a reef and I had the idea of using a sump. I'm not new to sumps, I've had sumps on previous tanks but never on a nano, and I had the idea because one of the issues with a nano is lack of space and stability. It seems that equipment can overcrowd the tank and take away from the aesthetics or the focus on the coral itself and a sump could contain all of the equipment and add space for maybe new frags, more macro algae, and possibly a small hang on skimmer. My question is, would it be practical to use a sump? Is it worth the time and work to install a sump? And if someone has a sump on a standard ten gallon tank, could you post pictures of your tank and sump and explain how it worked for you.

[Abysswater]

I had a 10 gal sump, on a 20 gal long tank it work great. The cool thing is you can put all your equipment in the sump, dose, macro, skimmer, heater, gauges, monitors etc. etc.. hide it for the display tank. Works great and worked fine. But I used and overflow to move the water down and pumped back into the tank.

The only down side is noise unless you can hide and conceal it. Then its a great way. I think drilled glass is even better.

 

My 10 gal sump was just a typ. 10 gal tank and I made the drain control box with dividers from the main pump. Kind of like a refugium.

water would overflow into the pump area and return to tank.

[Odobenus rosmarus]

Instead of using an overflow box, would you recommend doing a bean animal style with one drain running at a siphon and the other a regular standpipe but just on a nano scale, so they would probably be 1/2" or 3/4". I can get the stuff to drill the tank if i want to, I was going to go for an overflow box like the one you had but if they are noisy I don't think it would be the best idea since the tank is on my desk in my room.

[Abysswater]

Yea I would go that route. Those overflow are a PITA, I lost a few fish too jumping into the box then getting sucked down in the sump. Had to screen it etc..