To Sump or Not to Sump???????????????????????????????

[Melissa]

I am think about setting up a 29 gallon reef tank with fish. I am new to this hobby. I have done some reading and researching. And I'm not real sure if I should have a sump.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a sump, and in the future will my tank be healthier with one.

Thanks!
Melissa

 

[Quigonsean]

A sump is always better than none although not always needed. 1st a sump gives you more water in which organics etc... will be diluted in. It gives greater biological capacity. Say a 30gal tank with a 30 gal sump stocked appropriately for a 30 tank is actually a 60 gal system, and as you know the larger the system the better. It also is a nice place to hide your skimmer and heater/heater etc.. And if you plumb the returns right you can even eliminate having to have Power Heads in the tank leaving only your overflow and return outputs in the tank. I would highly recomend one.

Sean
Here's a pic of my simple sump setup.

 

[Melissa]

Wow!!! Thats a nice sump. Did you buid it? If not where can I buy a sump from. Also, how do you drill the hole in your tank? And should my sump be bigger than my tank?

 

[Anonymous]

The sump does not need to be bigger than the tank. A 10 gallon sump should be plenty fro a 29 gal tank. I would suggest getting the tank drilled at a fish store or glass shop, if it is glass that is. The bits are not cheap and if you are not carful you could break the glass.

 

[reefann]

You got to make sure that the glass is not tempered before you drill it, or your tank will be in a million pieces. My vote would definatley go to the sump. As everyone said great place to hide equipment etc. Plus if you get the back of you tank drilled you can have a closed loop circulation and that means no power heads in the tank. One other thing I can think of now is that it is a great place to add your top off water. This way it goes through the pump getting mixed in and is very diluted by the time it comes out of the return.
JJ
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[Anonymous]

On other thing the sump does not have to be fancy. I use a rubbermaid container. $4 and drillable.

 

[Melissa]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think just to be on the safe side I will go with a sump. Better safe than sorry. And I like the idea of hiding the equipment.

What kind of container can I use as a sump?

I feel silly asking this question and its kind of off the topic. But here it goes.....Does the coral grow out of the live rock? Or do I buy coral and plant in on top of the live rock.



Thanks Again
Melissa

 

[Anonymous]

I don't see the point in having a sump for anything less than 75 gallons.

 

[Quigonsean]

Melissa - Thanks. No I didn't build it, I was gonna outta a 20Long but thats now my fuge. I bought that sump on Ebay brand new it was I think $124.99 It is an Amirical Sea Reef 100b. I removed the bio media, and drilled for a 1in bulkhead to hook to the pump, and while I was at it I thought drill another and put a spigot on it so I can hook a hose to it run to the sump pump (It's in my room in basement) to drain when needed or for water changes. Wazzal is 100% correct it need not be fancy you could use a 10Gal AGA from the LFS for 10 bucks get som 1/4 inch Acrylic from Home Depot some weld on, some surgical gloves, a 6 pack and violent movie going in background, and have lot's -o- fun. Deffinately have LFS or Glass shop drill if you go that rout. I couldn't find any where to get my tank drilled here in good old Harford County Maryland so I got myself an external Amiricle U-Tube type overflow from That Fish Place for $48.95. Well Mom got it for a presant whilest Dad was in France on buisness. Should've seen her face when we walked in there, jaw dropped she say's "This place is bigger then Price Club". Yeah if I was you I'd grab a 10 or 20 gallon tank and convert away. Check out some DIY sites they are great and also the DIY forum here. You may also look on the for sale forum here I found one there a nice one too for $50 bucks, the day after I bought mine. Anyway I hope this is at least a little bit of help.

Sincerly,
Sean
ps Here is my fuge before it was filled the thing in it is a UFG covered in screen to be a Jaubert Plenum.

 

[Jeff CC]

I agree with Rover. Unless you have space for a sump that is fairly large, it may prove to be more trouble than it is worth. Getting rid of the smal (15 gal.) sump from my 90 gal. reef was the best move I ever made. Less noise, less stress, more enjoyment of the tank. Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

i have a 40 gallon system with no sump. although i would like to have a sump, it doesn't really seem necessary. my tank will be 2 years old this december.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't see the point in having a sump for anything less than 75 gallons.

why do you see a need when going to the larger tank sizes?

i like sumps and would not put a reef together without one. i did that once and it sucked. all the equipment hanging on the back looked like hell and my choices for hardware were narrowed considerably when i was required to use HOT equipment.

 

[hockeyboy]

Drilling a 29 gallon: I wouldn't do it. 29 gallons have pretty thin glass. There is also a good chance that it's tempered glass.

I'd just get a HOB skimmer. Aqua C Remora Pro, Aqua C Remora, CPR bakpak. All work well with the Aqua C's being a bit better.

If you do use a sump, a 10 gallon aquarium would work nicely.

I might forgo the sump and do a 10 gallon fuge instead. That is going to be more beneficial for keeping that size tank healthy.

Good luck.

mjd