Tell a beginner about sumps:

[Tinnerito]

Hello everybody! I am thinking about adding a sump to one of my tanks, which currently is just running on a canister filter. (Skimmer still to be added) but do I need a sump? What exactly do they do as opposed to using a canister? What all is inside of a sump? What should a sump setup look like and what should one have? I've seen a few before, and they look very cool and am thinking of setting one up myself.

 

[Tinnerito]

Side note: I also would like to simply try something new, since canister filters are all I know.

 

[lil sumpin]

Many trains of thought here. Some will say sump or nothing. Some will say canisters are nitrate ridden sludge factories. Turns out they both do the job, just a matter of how well you maintain them. You’re probably looking to add a HOB overflow? What size tank do you have

 

[Tinnerito]

If I get decide to get a sump, it would go to my 60 gal.

 

[lil sumpin]

Good read: https://reefstable.com/blog/reef-tank-sump

 

[Tinnerito]

Good read: https://reefstable.com/blog/reef-tank-sump

Very cool, thanks!

 

[sfin52]

Hello everybody! I am thinking about adding a sump to one of my tanks, which currently is just running on a canister filter. (Skimmer still to be added) but do I need a sump? What exactly do they do as opposed to using a canister? What all is inside of a sump? What should a sump setup look like and what should one have? I've seen a few before, and they look very cool and am thinking of setting one up myself.

You dont have to have one. 10yrs running on a canister

 

[BryanM]

Everything works with the right amount of care.

personally I've only had a sump, and I can't imagine not having one. But a clear advantage over anything else? I don't think its that clear really.

 

[Tinnerito]

You dont have to have one. 10yrs running on a canister

I know I don't have to have one, but I'll admit sumps are more visually appealing. Its like having another tank lol

 

[exnisstech]

I know I don't have to have one, but I'll admit sumps are more visually appealing. Its like having another tank lol

Oh you want one of those cool techie looking sumps with cool gear and colored plumbing lol. This is one of mine. The only cool thing about mine is all the live rock makes for an almost instant cycle and zero ugly stage after starting in March even tho the tank was started barebottom with dry rock.

EDIT : What I really like about a sump is being to have a fuge. I'm a big fan of them for the benificial life forms that thrive there. Hiding heaters along with ato is nice also.

 

[Waters]

I like sumps so much I have them on my planted freshwater tanks in addition to my reef lol. Hides all equipment, adds extra water volume, extra space for media, space to float new fish or temporarily house fish, etc.

 

[SliceGolfer]

Hello everybody! I am thinking about adding a sump to one of my tanks, which currently is just running on a canister filter. (Skimmer still to be added) but do I need a sump? What exactly do they do as opposed to using a canister? What all is inside of a sump? What should a sump setup look like and what should one have? I've seen a few before, and they look very cool and am thinking of setting one up myself.

1. With so much information on sumps there's opportunity for you to do your own research
2. Here's a video

 

[Tinnerito]

Oh you want one of those cool techie looking sumps with cool gear and colored plumbing lol. This is one of mine. The only cool thing about mine is all the live rock makes for an almost instant cycle and zero ugly stage after starting in March even tho the tank was started barebottom with dry rock.

EDIT : What I really like about a sump is being to have a fuge. I'm a big fan of them for the benificial life forms that thrive there. Hiding heaters along with ato is nice also.

I didn't know that! Now I've definitely got to try!

 

[sfin52]

My fug is being run by my canister filter. Return is gravity fed back to the dt

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

What size is your tank?
How much room under the stand do you have?
How are you going to get the water to the sump?

First piece of advise for a sump, get a clear one.

 

[VintageReefer]

My sump is a near zero maintenance filtration center for my tank

The first compartment is where the water enters and houses a skimmer, that I don’t use. It’s there “in case” I need to remove something from the water - medication, a spill, etc. it also holds my heater and some probes

The second compartment holds my algae scrubber, live sand, and tons of live rock with live sponge. The rock and sponge are a cryptic zone with no light. This is also where dosing equipment draws water from.

Between compartment 2 and 3 are media trays with matrix, and chemi pure bags.

Compartment 3 is the return pump, more live rock, and a phosphate reactor, that I only use if I have a spike I need to take care of.

I have zero mechanical filtration to clean, no socks, filter pads, no fleece rollers, nothing.

The setup is hands off maintenance free, aside from emptying the algae scrubber every 7-10 days. Open lid, remove handful of algae, close lid. Done

 

[bossman818]

I just recently got a tank with a sump and I love it. Started growing some cool macro algae’s. I had a bully in my tank so I jailed him in the sump. Water changes seem to be less messy for me. I have had the canister filters and all in one and sump seems to be the way to go in my opinion.

 

[bakbay]

Here is my simple sump: skimmer, heaters, reactors, return pumps. It hides all the big equipment that I rather not (can’t) have in the DT.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I have no sump on my 20g tank but whenever I upgrade to a bigger tank I will get a sump!

 

[Tinnerito]

What size is your tank?
How much room under the stand do you have?
How are you going to get the water to the sump?

First piece of advise for a sump, get a clear one.

A clear sump is definitely of my vision. My tank is 60 gallons, and the cabinet beneath I think is about 2 feet tall? With 4ish feet in length. I can measure it later if you want. Not sure how I will get water to sump, as I know practically nothing of them hence the thread. I have been doing some research though, however I can't get much thorough information..