Thinking of upgrading my sump

[w.arnold]

I am new to the saltwater aquarium world and in January i purchased an eshopps mariner 70 but I am already thinking about upgrading the sump. I really want to have a refugium and seen the eshopps aqua fuge 100, and i have a few questions for the group.

Has anyone had and experience with the aqua fuge?
What would be a fair resale value of of my current sump?
Do you guys think the upgrade would be worth it?

The pic below is my current sump and it measures 24”x 15” x 16” and the sump volume is 25 gallons. Thank for the advice.

 

[Hayal]

For aquarium enthusiasts, tinkering is the norm, so wanting to upgrade your sump right after starting your aquarium setup is perfectly normal. Regarding your concerns, let me clarify:

How is the Aqua Fuge 100? It has a good reputation and is a "plug-and-play" filter, very beginner-friendly. Its signature dual-channel design (ECD) separates the water flow, one channel for algae removal and the other for protein skimmer removal, resulting in high efficiency. Your main tank is 70 liters, so this 18-gallon sump is more than enough for filtration.

How much can I sell my old sump for? Your 24" Eshopps Reef Sump, being secondhand, is likely worth 40-60% of its original price. You could try listing it in local fish enthusiast groups or forums.

Is the upgrade worth it? If you're determined to maintain a healthy algae tank and maintain stable nutrient levels, then this investment is definitely worthwhile. However, modifying the sump is essentially rebuilding the drainage system, which is a significant undertaking. I suggest you confirm that your cabinet will fit before proceeding.

If you find this too troublesome, an external algae tray is a compromise that avoids major modifications.