Do I need a sump?

[powerbuddy]

I have a 30 gallon tank , which is going just fine! I wanted to inquire about sumps. I have seen a lot of tanks with a sump setup. Are they benneficial? If so , how ? Can anybody give me a article or a link for a sump setup, on alreadyestablished tanks?

 

[just_in_time]

Also I wouldnt mind if someone knew of a website with specific dimensions of a sump for each size of tank. I know of melevsreef.com, but is there any more plans anywhere out there with specific dimensions?

 

[yoboyjdizz]

a sump can be as big or as small as you want anything is better then nothing.. i don't have any article links but basically their purpose is to hide your equipment, give extra water volume, a place add a refuge with live rock sand some cheato and a place for pods to grow. Live rock helps and sand help with filtration and give a place for pods to grow which fish feed off of..cheato helps keeps your nutrient levels down..tons of benefits

 

[yoboyjdizz]

but no you don't need one, but i would recomend it.

 

[XtrmCHoPZ]

In a tank that small youre probably ok with just what you have, but a sump of say, 10 gallons, would only benefit it. It would add more water to your system and allow you to get some of the equipment out of the tank like heaters, probes, etc.....

 

[Paul B]

No, you do not need a sump. It makes life easier but I never had one and my reef is fine.
Paul

 

[JENnKerry]

Same here. No sumps on any of my tanks (20, 55, 125). Never a problem with stability.

 

[aynoT79]

You dont need a sump, Altho they do make things easier, I myself have a 55 gallon and dont have a sump on it.. Sumps are big no a days with saltwater, kinda like the new kind of shoes.. Some just gotta have them, But ya dont need them to have a nice tank..Its all up to you...

 

[sir_dudeguy]

do the pods you're talking about grow on the rock? i've seen a thing where they sell, i guess you could call it a pack, of pods. do you just add those in, and they start growing on the rocks or what?

 

[XtrmCHoPZ]

The pods grow in, on and around the LR, LS or algae. You can get some in a container for purchase. BUt you should have some in your tank already if you have good quality live rock.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

ya i just have base rock. should i get some and just put it in the tank, and they find their way to the rock/sand and multiply? thanks