Do you really need a sump?

[saltwaterlover]

So I’m new to this hobby as people probably know by my threads [emoji23] but I’m curious on what people think about sumps? Do you really need them?
What are the pros and cons of them apart from they make your DT look neater? I am getting a 60x24x30” (L,W,H) 136gallon tank and I want to know if it’s better and easier to have a sump, a lot of people say different things but I’m just curious about it, as a sump is going to be more money to add onto it all [emoji88][emoji23]

 

[dwest]

So I’m new to this hobby as people probably know by my threads [emoji23] but I’m curious on what people think about sumps? Do you really need them?
What are the pros and cons of them apart from they make your DT look neater? I am getting a 60x24x30” (L,W,H) 136gallon tank and I want to know if it’s better and easier to have a sump, a lot of people say different things but I’m just curious about it, as a sump is going to be more money to add onto it all [emoji88][emoji23]

I think you’ll want one. You get surface skimming, places to put equipment like skimmers, and some added tank water volume for stability.

 

[BootyPup]

plus one with @dwest, you don't need one per say, but especially with a tank that size it'd be great especially for equipment and future expansive purposes

 

[Geebs19]

I would recommend one. Gives you larger volume for stability and a place to hide things. I don’t think you will want to spend all that money and then have things hanging all over the tank. I’m also not a big fan of HOB filters on large tanks.

 

[WVNed]

Do you have to have one - nope. You can stick everything in the display or hang it on the tank.

You picked the wrong hobby if you are complaining about more money.

Good stuff that runs for years without problems or killing the tank costs.

 

[saltwaterlover]

I think you’ll want one. You get surface skimming, places to put equipment like skimmers, and some added tank water volume for stability.

Would you say I need a sump straight from the beginning of my tank?

 

[dwest]

So I’m new to this hobby as people probably know by my threads [emoji23] but I’m curious on what people think about sumps? Do you really need them?
What are the pros and cons of them apart from they make your DT look neater? I am getting a 60x24x30” (L,W,H) 136gallon tank and I want to know if it’s better and easier to have a sump, a lot of people say different things but I’m just curious about it, as a sump is going to be more money to add onto it all [emoji88][emoji23]

One more thing... I put my sump in my basement in a couple of my tanks, including my current one. The only negative is you need a strong pump. All else is good.

 

[Geebs19]

Would you say I need a sump straight from the beginning of my tank?

If you are going to do one, I would do it from the start. Would be a pain to plumb one in later.

 

[dwest]

Would you say I need a sump straight from the beginning of my tank?

It will be simpler. I would. You won’t regret it.

 

[Matthew Frost]

It depends on what you want and the level of work you want to put in. If you want to do a swim tank and you want a closed loop filter system you don't need a sump. I have read a great deal and researched extensively and having a sump makes it a lot easier to be successful.

 

[saltwaterlover]

Do you have to have one - nope. You can stick everything in the display or hang it on the tank.

You picked the wrong hobby if you are complaining about more money.

Good stuff that runs for years without problems or killing the tank costs.

Um excuse me? I was not complaining tyvm I am quite happy to pay out for it but it was a simple question.

 

[saltwaterlover]

It will be simpler. I would. You won’t regret it.

Ok awesome thank you

 

[titlowda]

In my opinion a sump results in a cleaner tank. YMMV but it gives a place to store equipment, increases the range of equipment you can use as well as becomes a place to export detritus.

 

[oceanslide]

Agreed with everyone else, you may not see the need for it now, but as you progress in the hobby you'll seriously wish you had one, and adding a sump to an existing tank is a pain.

 

[saltwaterlover]

I would recommend one. Gives you larger volume for stability and a place to hide things. I don’t think you will want to spend all that money and then have things hanging all over the tank. I’m also not a big fan of HOB filters on large tanks.

Would you say a 26gallon (31 U.S gallon) sump would be big enough for a 136gallon tank?

 

[Dancingmad]

Would you say a 26gallon (31 U.S gallon) sump would be big enough for a 136gallon tank?

Biggest you can get for your tank stand. One of the benefits of a sump is extra water volume. The more volume the more forgiving your system if mistakes are made.

That'd probably work though . Don't forget your gear too - heater, skimmer, etc. Lots of sump mfgs will give you the chamber dimensions so you can plan everything out (If you so choose!).

Sumps are awesome. If you have some extra filter gear kicking around though, it can be put to use curing some live rock in totes or start up a QT for the fishes you're going to add.

 

[starypotter]

Would you say a 26gallon (31 U.S gallon) sump would be big enough for a 136gallon tank?

I think it's less about the actual volume of the sump and more about the dimensions. Will you want to put a skimmer in there, will you get a reactor, will you have a refugium? They all take up space. Then you've got your return chamber as well. You tank size is a good size, I would think of it less for volume and more for equipment at that size. With that much in your tank will you want to strive for a minimal water change deal? Then you may need more equipment. One of the things that I did when starting out was I went on the different websites, bulkreefsupply, marine depot, saltwater aquarium, and I looked through EVERY category to look at what different equipment there is that they're selling, then did a quick lookup to see what it did and judged how necessary I thought it would be. A good way to learn what there is and get an idea of the footprint that some of these things will take even if you don't add them all to your system now.

 

[Aquavaj]

Either your dims are off or you mistyped the tank size cause a 60x24x30 tank is 187g, not 136g. Either way a sump has more pros than cons so you should seriously consider using one from the start. Waiting until later might mean having to empty the tank to drill holes for overflow(s) depending on your tank. Sure you can use a HOB overflow but just know the associated risks with them. Without a sump everything will need to be in the tank or hung, which can seriously limit you on equipment selection.

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

For a tank that size, I think a sump is essential. For 55 or smaller I think hang on back or canisters are adequate, not ideal, but adequate.

 

[saltwaterlover]

Either your dims are off or you mistyped the tank size cause a 60x24x30 tank is 187g, not 136g. Either way a sump has more pros than cons so you should seriously consider using one from the start. Waiting until later might mean having to empty the tank to drill holes for overflow(s) depending on your tank. Sure you can use a HOB overflow but just know the associated risks with them. Without a sump everything will need to be in the tank or hung, which can seriously limit you on equipment selection.

I’m from the uk so the gallons are different here but thanks