sump or no sump

[pcragg]

I have a succesful 55 right now (green goniopora still expanding after one year) with no sump. I'm using a five foot home made skimmer that works well, MH, sufficient live rock and DSB.

I'm designing my new 180 and am wondering if I can still get away without using a sump. It seems like most people with sumps, have them because it is left over from when they used trickle filters. It seems like a lot of extra cost and maintenance to have one. I plan on using an auto ro/di top off system, directly to tank.

What are the benefits of having a sump? And do these benefits justify the extra cost and maintenance? I tried to search on this, but this question was never quite answered.

Tanks in advance!!!!

 

[toptank]

One good reason it gives you more water volume and it is a good place for heaters and such. Also I put LR and some critter in there if I need to. There isn't that much maintenance to do with the sump. As far as cost, I know of some people that use just a rubbermate sump. I have a 40 gal sump under my 180, that houses heater, LR, skimmer and microbag. I am going to take the microbag out I think as I have to change it twice a week.

 

[waterloomarc]

I recently added a sump to my system. I don't see how the cost is that high. i think it is definitely worth it to get all of the equipment out of the tank. Also, it minimizes the need for you you to be fidgeting around in the display tank and stressing out the fish. You can take all the water you need for tests, changes etc all from the sump.

I don't think they cost a lot of money, and I think they would be worth it even if they did

I guess the biggest expense is the pump, and when you offset it by the savings on powerheads it's not really that much.

Again worth it just to get all the clutter out of the tank.

My opinion, you asked

 

[Anonymous]

I have no sump,except for the HOB CPR refuge and a CPR bakpak. 4in sand bed. 1 powersweep(270gph),1 maxijet 1200(295 gph),and 1 Aquaclear 802(400gph).

When I get a larger tank I am going to use acrylic to box in the corners so I can hide the PHs. Again I will not have a sump,unless you consider the refuge a sump.

Unless you really want to add more gallonage or want a place for heaters and such a sump is for you. If not,don't.

 

[Anonymous]

I've had a reef tank for 3 years with no sump. I can't tell you that it wouldn't have been better with one, but I don't have the space, etc. I had one at work with a sump and I disconnected the sump and see no differences at all. My skimmers hang on the back. I took a skimmer off one tank 4 months ago and notice no difference. I'm not advocating that either (it never worked well, being a Prizm), but it is clear that eliminating these sorts of things won't by necessity result in a disaster.

 

[micagreenmachine]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Terrence:
<strong>I guess my response would be I have always been intimidated to plumb a system for a sump. I can just imagine waking up to my room full of 70 gallons of water. How bad is the initial setup and the breaking peirod?</strong><hr></blockquote>

If you plumb a sump correctly (easy to do) and use the right size, there is no more fear of having water spill onto the floor than there would be without a sump. I had a sump that was too small a couple of years ago and it was a PITA. But now, I've go plenty of room.

Plus, using a sump (with an overflow obviously), you will always have a constant water level in the main tank. A large sump makes topping off the aquarium a breeze and you won't have to top off as often.

If you have a large enough sump, you can plumb 2 aquariums to run off of it and have a reef tank AND a really health fish tank.

What exactly do you mean by "breaking period?"

~Todd

 

[bensenvill]

I guess my response would be I have always been intimidated to plumb a system for a sump. I can just imagine waking up to my room full of 70 gallons of water. How bad is the initial setup and the breaking peirod?

 

[Xphixer2]

I would think the main advantage to having a sump would be the surface skimming. I have a PM HOT-1 and I don't think it skims as well as one in the sump would. I recently tore my sump out cause it was leaking, (never go with the homemade acrylic versions) I had bought it from a LFS for less than the traditional MO sumps. I had problems with not enough flow, (wrong pump), leaking bulkheads, (should have sealed it with silicone) and it took up almost all the room under the stand (I had to put all aquarium additives and junk someplace else). I had tried to grow culerpa in the sump but it eventually died.. (there is a nother plus). I may end up getting a sump when I get a bigger tank but for now I am remaining sumpless again. Rich

 

[esmithiii]

I have a reef-ready 180G tank and here are the benefits of the sump (I made my own and would gladly e-mail you my plans):

1. Its a great place to dose additives, since there is high flow and also because the additives mix in a volume of water which is then pumped into the tank. No place in the main tank gets a higher initial concentration of additives.
2. It hides all the ugly equipment (heaters, thermometers, skimmer, grounding probe, fans, etc.)
3. It adds 50G to my total tank volume, which is good for biological filtration
4. It is a good place for a refugium. I have a sand bed, LR and caulerpa in my sump which is lit on a reverse cycle.
5. It allows a very convenient location for an auto top-off system, which is a must for a tank that size.

In a word, YES it is definitely worth the money. If it is designed properly, there is no change of an overflow.

 

[Jan-Dman]

great idea guys