Sump newbie

[TheJGMProject]

Hi,

I received a 40-gal tank from my gracious brother-in-law with a built in sump. I currently have a nano (that I will be giving to him to toy with) and have never really had to deal with a sump.

I know there are numerous applications for water filtration with a sump, so, what are they exactly? What do you put in a sump? live rock? Do I want pods to thrive in there? Let me know what's up.

Any suggestions are very welcomed!

 

[trido]

Depend on how large it is. Heaters, skimmer, LR, macro algea, carbon bags etc....

 

[Anonymous]

It also depends on what you are trying to accomplish with the tank, i.e. some tanks benefit from having a place for 'pods to grow, others use the sump strictly for the extra water and a place to put equipment. Other people put macroalgae and lighting...it's up to what you want to do with it.

 

[cindre2000]

A sump is a common addition to many aquariums. The first benifit is the increased water volume, allowing greater stability. There is also the ability to hide numerous pieces of equipment that would look "unsightly" in the display aquarium (heaters, probes, etc.). The sump can also act as a filtration area where the protien skimmer, carbon, and other filter media reside, since all the water should go through the sump at some point in time (10 times an hour in fact).

Some sumps have lighted refugium sections where macro algae is grown to provide additional filtration. This area also creates a safe haven for many micro-fauna that eventually make their way back into the main aquarium.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm running my 35 gallon with no sump, but i am using a canister filter. i was thinking getting a sump, but i don't really want to have to try and retro-fit it if there is no real benefit. the only reason i would set up the sump is to put the heater and skimmer in and to make water changes a bit easier.

i have heard bad things about the canisters, but so far i have not had a problem, i also use a prism skimmer and think it's ok. maybe it's just that i haven't been able to compare it to anything.

so, the main point of my post is, should i get a sump, or not?!

 

[Anonymous]

I'm running my 35 gallon with no sump, but i am using a canister filter. i was thinking getting a sump, but i don't really want to have to try and retro-fit it if there is no real benefit. the only reason i would set up the sump is to put the heater and skimmer in and to make water changes a bit easier.

There are benefits to having a sump, but its a subjective thing-what's worth a hassle to me may not be worth it to you. Everything depends on what you are keeping in the tank and what those animals require.

For instance in a smaller size tank like yours the extra water in the sump adds stability to your overall system which to me is reason enough to do it

 

[Anonymous]

yeah, i'm also thinking it would be good for water changes. i wouldn't have a clue how to set one up tho. i have had a quick look at other tanks here, and it looks a tad more complex than i thought!

i have a perfect place in the stand for a sump, i think i might have to bite the bullet and go for it when i get back from egypt.

i think that anything that improves the quality of my fishes life has to be worth it!

 

[Anonymous]

The downside is that it adds extra "moving parts" and is therefore, another point in the system for failure. - And without proper planning, a failure there can be relatively catastrophic.

In short, if you put one in, make sure you check your water levels for a power outage that could overflow your sump and also check for a siphon break / overflow blockage that might make your main tank overflow.

Either of those on a hardwood floor (or especially in an apartment where you have neighbors downstairs) can result in some pretty costly damages..

In my opinion though, the risk is usually far, FAR below the benefits.

Norm

 

[Anonymous]

One disadvantage to adding a sump after the fact is having to either get the tank drilled (which would require emptying the current tank) or having one of those overflow fittings (like this http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CR1511. Never having owned one, I don't know how reliable they are, as you're relying on a siphon. Maybe someone else might comment.

Your best bet (Frogprince) might be too sell your current set up and invest in a pre-drilled tank. That way you get something designed to run with a sump, rather than trying to retrofit one.

 

[TheJGMProject]

what's the best return pump to for water going from the sump back into the display tank? I been seing htat a MAG drive pump is a reccomended choice

 

[Anonymous]

Your best bet (Frogprince) might be too sell your current set up and invest in a pre-drilled tank. That way you get something designed to run with a sump, rather than trying to retrofit one.

wouls be nice, however, i am running on a real tight budget, so i can't really do that. if i had my way, i would have a full 3000 litre FOWLR and a reef tank on 2 separate systems. as it is at the moment, i think the sump would be pointless

 

[SnowManSnow]

i use a mag 9.5 for my return into my 65g