Is sump needed?

Aikidoka · Feb 24, 2014

Hi guys,

I'm planning on setting up a reef tank myself. As a beginner, do I really need a sump? I already have a 75g tank not drilled, should I use it?

Thanks in advance!

reeferaddict420 · Feb 24, 2014

If you get into saltwater, a sump is a necessary piece to have for long term success.. It will house heater, skimmer. I have run a successful reef for a couple years without one and trust me it makes it a lot easier having one.. I ended up having nitrate issues and never ending cyano outbreaks..

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Bad Company · Feb 24, 2014

Not only that, a tank looks so much better without all the equipment hanging off of it. Also, you can run top of water easily into the sump, holding salinity much mroe consistently.

shred5 · Feb 24, 2014

Aikidoka said:
Hi guys,

I'm planning on setting up a reef tank myself. As a beginner, do I really need a sump? I already have a 75g tank not drilled, should I use it?

Thanks in advance!

You absolutely dont need a sump. One of my best tanks ever never had a sump on it. I used a deltec mce600 hang on the back skimmer and a hob reactor.. it also was one of the easiest tanks ever and can be cheaper.

Sumps are a convenience giving you a place to hide your equipment, they can also help increase the volume of water..

If you have a very large tank you would have to go with a sump because HOB skimmer dont come in very large sizes. A 75 gallon you will need one of the better hob skimmers.

There are some really decent HOB skimmers now a days.

3dees · Feb 24, 2014

I agree. while a sump Is the best way to go, It Is not a must. I'm running a sumpless 120 gal. without one. you can also get a sump with an overflow without drilling.

ifarmer · Feb 24, 2014

sump helps because it adds more water volume
sump helps keep a lot of equipments out of your display.
but sump is not necessary
with a sump, more electricity will be used because you have to run a return pump. (require more top off )

Reefing Madness · Feb 24, 2014

A sump is not necessary. You can add reactors or do more frequent water changes to keep water params balanced. Not an issue. I do not run one any longer.

-Logzor · Feb 24, 2014

I recommend biting the bullet and getting a sump, if you care at all about the aesthetics and ease of maintenance of your aquarium. You can drill your 75g and install a glass-holes overflow.

WhoKnew · Feb 24, 2014

Welcome to Reef2Reef
I only have a 30g SWT and do not have a sump. I have a skimmer, power head and a heater. The equipment is visible in my tank, but is not an inconvenience. I have to be diligent on my water changes and water parameters. Good luck

Aikidoka · Mar 2, 2014

Thanks guys for the input. I really appreciated it. Thinking of using a sump but my tank is not drilled, will the overflow box safe?

Please keep the responds coming, thanks!

Reefing Madness · Mar 2, 2014

Ah, overflow boxes are pretty good nowadays, but not 100% as safe as a drilled tank.

butters417 · Mar 2, 2014

I've been using 1 overflow for about 3 years now on my 45gallon. Not 1 problem

WhoKnew · Mar 2, 2014

I just purchased an overflow/refugium. Should be here next week.

Aikidoka · Mar 2, 2014

I was thinking buying my overflow at eBay. It should be pretty good, right?

tanked37 · Mar 2, 2014

My QT tank has a sponge filter, a AquaClear HoB filter, and a heater and it successfully houses corals and fish for months. I have a fish and corals in it now. Sooo, not much is *really* needed, but I would never run a 75g tank w/o a sump. Your tank is already drilled and ready to go. Definitely spend the money now and get a sump. It will cost you more in the end to upgrade the equipment to do it later when you realize you should have did it from the beginning.

Aikidoka · Mar 3, 2014

tanked37 said:
My QT tank has a sponge filter, a AquaClear HoB filter, and a heater and it successfully houses corals and fish for months. I have a fish and corals in it now. Sooo, not much is *really* needed, but I would never run a 75g tank w/o a sump. Your tank is already drilled and ready to go. Definitely spend the money now and get a sump. It will cost you more in the end to upgrade the equipment to do it later when you realize you should have did it from the beginning.

Thank you for the input. Unfortunately, my tank is not drilled. I'm thinking of getting an overflow from eBay.

shred5 · Mar 3, 2014

I am not a fan of HOB overflow boxes, The siphon can break. You need your pump to be sized exactly right. If to little flow bubbles build up and break the siphon, to much flow and it cant keep up... I have used them in the past and personally would not use one... If you are set on a sump, find out if it can be drilled, if it can have someone drill it for you if you dont feel comfortable doing it yourself. Not hard too do, then use a overflow box from like glass holes.

If you go with a hob overflow box go with a good one..

Here is a good article about setting them up:

http://blog.marinedepot.com/2014/02...224896785&mc_cid=f79bf30fe7&mc_eid=45e5459b94

vlangel · Mar 4, 2014

I have always used a HOB overflow box, have had it about 8 years. I deal with the bubble build up in the U tube by drilling it and attaching it to an aqualifter pump. The output of the aqualifter goes back into the back of the overflow box. It works like a charm. When the electricity kicks back on the aqualifter automatically starts the siphon.