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- Emerald Sump 39 - Trigger Systems
Why does BRS recommend this?
Trigger systems have been making sumps for quite some time now and they have won us over with their attention to detail, practical designs and overall aesthetic appeal. With the ability to modify the sump to your needs with adjustable water levels, interchangeable plates , tube holders, probe holders, and enough room to put equipment where ever you need it.
Emerald 39
- Dimensions: 39″ long x 16″ wide x 15″ high
- Skimmer Section: 14″ x 15.5″
- Center/Refugium Section: 10.5″ x 15.5″
- Return Pump Section: 6″ x 15.5″
- Total Water Volume: 40 gallons
- Skimmer Water Level: 7″ to 9.5″ adjustable
- Drain Input Fittings: two 1″ and three 1″
- Filter Socks: 3
The Emerald series introduces several new features not found anywhere else. Some of the features of the Emerald sumps are:
- Interchangeable plates (PAT PENDING)
- Lid to prevent splashing
- Adjustable water height
- Self-adjusting foam block platform (PAT PENDING)
- Dual platforms
- Protein skimmer section
- Refugium section
- Emerald green coloring to block light and prevent unwanted algae growth in other sections
EMERALD Water Flow
Water enters the EMERALD sumps into a dedicated section where the water will then flow over into Section 1.
Section 1 where the interchangeable plate is located allowing for either filter sock or foam block mechanical filtration. This area is covered with a lid to prevent water splashing. Water then flows out the bottom of Section 1 into Section 2.
Section 2 is typically where the protein skimmer is located. Water then flows through the ‘Trigger Symbol’ cutout into Section 3.
Section 3 is the refugium section. The water then flows over the second baffle through 2 perforated platforms and under the third baffle into Section 3. The top perforated platform comes with a foam block filter and the bottom one is open to use for several different filtration methods (bag of carbon, bio balls, rubble rock, etc.).
Section 4 is the return water section back into the tank. This is where the return pump will sit.
Interchangeable Plates (PAT PENDING)
Each Emerald sump comes with two plates that can be placed into Section 1:
- Filter Sock Plate
- Foam Block Plate
The filter sock plate is installed when the included 100 micron filter socks are desired.
The foam block plate is perforated with holes and comes with a foam sponge block filter. The foam block plate can be used when filter socks are not desired or in the case when the filter socks need to be changed or cleaned but replacements socks are not readily available but yet mechanical filtration is needed. In this case, simply remove the filter sock plate and install the perforated foam block plate and then place the included foam sponge block filter in place.
Adjustable Water Level
Water level in the sump is adjustable from 7” to 9.5” to accommodate for the water height requirements for different protein skimmers.
Self-Adjusting Foam Block (PAT PENDING)
As the water level is adjusted by sliding the wall up and down, the foam block sponge filter and the perforated plate that it sits on will also move up and down automatically. This is important to maintain the correct location of the foam block sponge filter with respect to the sump water height.
Probe Holder
All Emerald sumps come with a probe holder that can hold up to three probes. The two outside holes are 0.63” in diameter and the center hole is 0.8” in diameter to fit different sized probes.
Hose Holder
All Emerald sumps also come with 4 holes in the top support brace for holding in place 1/4” OD tubing from reactors, dosing pumps, ATO, etc.
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Great Sump By Justin on 8/21/2018
Justin would recommend this product to a friendI bought this sump for a custom build and it works fantastic after 3 years. I did removed the built in 3 pipe holder for a more custom approach to my setup but the slip fit connectors did not leak when I used them. I just replaced the foam filter inserts as well after three years. they clean out easy and can be used for a long time. It also has plenty of space even with my Huge Vertex skimmer and return pump.
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Quality Sump By Matt on 6/19/2018
Matt would recommend this product to a friendI've had this sump in use for about 2 years now. Awesome design and very high quality. Trigger takes pride in their product. Highly recommend to anyone! -
Awesome sump By Scott on 6/8/2018
Scott would recommend this product to a friendJust purchased a Ruby 30. The quality was outstanding, so I opted for the Emerald 39 for my other tank. The addition of the enclosed filter sock area eliminates any water noises or spray. Thick acrylic with strengthening trim noted everywhere. This sump is very well thought through in design. I keep my cabinet open most the time to display my sump as the workings that keep the display tank so beautiful. A beautiful sump equals a beautiful display. Would recommend without hesitation. -
Can do better for the money By Mike on 11/3/2017
Mike wouldn't recommend this product to a friendI love the sump design and construction, clearly Trigger Systems takes pride in their work on all the major parts of the sump. I then start hooking it up and all the little add-ons don’t work, no way to lock down my probes in the probe holder so my Apex temp probe just falls through the hole to the bottom of the sump (have to use a tie wrap WTF), the holes for the dosing / top off just slide in no way to secure them so if you bump them you just emptied you ATO container on the floor. How do you build such a nice sump and scrimp on the small stuff. -
Trigger 39 By Msg on 5/2/2017
Msg would recommend this product to a friendGreat sump I bought an oversized sump for extra volume. Every thing works great I wish it came with 4 probe holders my apex has 4 probes but other than that this is a wonderful sump -
EXCELLENT!! By William on 2/13/2017
William would recommend this product to a friendI have been using this sump in my 125 for several months and it is my first aquarium with a sump. I will never go back to HOB skimmers and power filters, this is just too easy. But that is another story.
I did a lot of research ahead of time and picked the Emerald due to several features that make it the best choice for me.
The 3 filter socks are lined up on the left side of the sump, making access a snap. Takes just seconds to swap them out on the fly. Easy on my poor back.
Lots of room for the skimmer and heaters in the skimmer section.
I am using 25 gallons of the 40 gallon capacity at 9 inches with about 15 gallons of unused space. Only a few gallons drain back through the return lines when power is turned off, so there is plenty of safety margin. Even if my ATO somehow emptied its entire 10 gallons at once into the system, and then the return pump failed at the same time, this sump would not overflow.
Fuge section is HUGE. The water level adjustment works perfectly, and the return section is plenty big for the VarioS-6 return pump. Even at the max setting, the dual Durso drains are fairly quiet, with just a nice pleasant flow sound audible when the TV is not on. I normally run the VarioS-6 at the 3 setting, which is even quieter.
Overall a great product. I am 100% satisfied with my purchase.
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One of the Best Sumps you can buy By Jason on 2/8/2017
Jason would recommend this product to a friendThis Trigger Sump 39 is one of the best built sumps I've seen. solidly built and you can feel it uses quality materials. I like the 2 or 3 return option it comes with, I have two returns on my tank but use the third return as a return from equipment I have coming off my manifold, so no extra hosing hanging into the sump. -
Very Pleased By Bryan on 2/1/2017
Bryan would recommend this product to a friendI am using this sump currently on an 80 Gallon Deep Blue, and it is a little overkill for my tank. The design is very impressive as far as quality and functionality. I have plenty of room for ever piece of equipment that I can imagine I will need for my tank. The only thing i had an issue with is the drain sizes being 1" on this large of a tank I thought being that it was made for larger systems they might have a larger drain inlet at least 1.25-1.5". I contacted them and they do offer the larger size at a reasonable price so I really have nothing to complain about for this sump. -
Good Sump "Some issues with mine though" By Chad on 10/14/2016
Chad would recommend this product to a friendI waited for about a month to give this review. I don't like giving reviews until I have had time to use a product.
Build quality is good I have one section where the welding process has lots of bubbles in the seam. This doesn't seem to be a problem at this time hopefully it won't be. Was kind of surprised they didn't reject the sump because of this The plate where the return lines go into "Section 1" has salt creep around it running down the back of the sump that I have to keep clean. I wish Trigger Systems would make a gasket to keep this from happening.
Im using the filter sock plate so the water is more evenly distributed among the three socks.If you don't use the plate the first sock takes all the abuse.
Having the adjustable water height is really nice for tuning in the skimmer.
Overall I would say it is a nice sump and worth the money. If I had noticed the issues with the seam and the air bubbles before I had set it up I would have returned it for another one. and for this reason I only give it 4 stars.
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Solid Construction By Kenny on 8/3/2016
Kenny would recommend this product to a friendI have yet to install the sump but after receiving it the quality and design is superb. Looking forward to fitting it below my 220g setup. -
Functional design and looks great!! By Kevin on 4/6/2016
Kevin would recommend this product to a friendUpgraded to this acrylic system after my glass one cracked. Cuts down in noise and I love the adjustable water level option. -
QUALITY By KEITH on 1/8/2016
KEITH would recommend this product to a friendExceeds expectations,layout and features are well designed
What is the acrylic thickness of this sump?
Trigger uses 1/4" thick acrylic all around with Euro-bracing for support.
Have a great day!
What size filter socks do these use? What is the difference between the Emerald and Tideline trigger sumps?
The Emerald will use 4" filter sock rings. The tideline is a series from trigger which they sell direct to brick and mortar fish stores. The differences are in lay out of the sump and drain line as well as the Tideline using 7" filter socks instead. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
What is the consistency of the water flowing evenly through all the socks?
Seems to me more water will be going through the 1st sock rather than the 3rd.
Do certain socks get clogged more than others or is it even throughout?
Overall the flow will be consistent throughout. While 1 filter sock may clog the spread of the water over the others tends to be very smooth and will tend to evenly spread! Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
Would this sump work on a 180 or could I get the smaller emerald version
This sump can work well with a 180. It is not the size of the sump rather whether or not the sump can fit the protein skimmer and any other component you will need. The 39 has the most room for skimmer and should work great! Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
How would I hook up an external skimmer to this sump? I'm looking to get a recirculating reef octopus 3000 or 5000. And plan on using the skimmer section as a large refugium and the refugium section for reactors or other media like marine pure blocks
Will the Regal 250INT 10" Internal Protein Skimmer fit in the emerals 39 sump
It would not fit. The skimmer has a footprint of 16.5"x11" and the skimmer can only hold 14"x15.5". Check out their SSS models one of those should fit!
What’s included with the sump
I just got this sump I am currently using one return line into the sump. its bubbling and not flowing smoothly into the filter sock chamber and is kinda loud what could be my problem
The reason there is loud noises when set up with a single drain line is the siphon is drawing in air. To resolve this noise there are a few options. Ideally having a second hole drilled in the tank and adding an emergency drain. The main line can then have a gate valve added to it. This is called the herbie method overflow. This method allows you to tune the original drain down to prevent the noise and have an emergency in case the flow gets clogged. Other overflow methods include Bean animal method which can be found online as well! Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
Would this size work for a 240 gallon tank? If not which would you recommend?
This certainly can work well and is one of the largest sumps. Overall the sump size can vary and does not have an effect rather making sure you buy a sump which can hold your reactors, skimmers and other elements. Checking the footprint of the return section and skimmer section will help to make sure your correct skimmer will fit. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!
Would this work for a 300 gallon freshwater tank? I don't really need room for a protein skimmer or reactor but have never really ran a sump before and the new tank I just bought is drilled for a sump. If not this one, could you recommend a sump? thanks
What is the maximum size tank you would recommend for this sump
This can work on any sized system as long as your equipment can fit. We recommend first finding the correct sized skimmer for your tank and then making sure the foot print of the skimmer can fit in the sump, from there most other components of the sump are fairly small. We typically see this on 75 gallon - 200 gallons.