Please help :P

[Eden Holbrook]

Well, I'm new to "reefcentral" so I hope I'm doing this right

Okay, so I've always had Freshwater tanks and recently I've decided to try Saltwater. Don't worry, I haven't bought anything yet. I wanted to get advice first. I do know though, that the tank size I intend to get will be 75 gallons or bigger.

I am only confused on one thing: "sump or canister."

Can someone please explain to me exactly how a sump works and how it connects to the tank. I've spent 2 hours trying to figure it out, and now I've just decided to come here and ask people. And how big does the sump have to be? (As of now, just go by 75 gallons.)

Anyways, that's basically all I'm confused about. If someone could help me, that would be great! Thanks

 

[Guss]

A good place to start would be reading the "stickies" at the top of the new to the hobby forum. They are full of knowledge

 

[aujosh84]

At its simplest form, a sump is another container of water for the total volume of water in the aquarium. More water volume = more stable water parameters. Normally it would sit below the aquarium. A return pump located in the sump would push the water back up to the aquarium which would then overflow into a drain back down to the sump.

Past the simplistic form, people also add baffling to create different chambers that house things such and refugiums, skimmers, and other filtration media.

 

[Guss]

Basically a sump can be used to house a skimmer and a return pump,and any other equipment you add. It can also house a bed of rubble, rock or sand, macro algae to help filter. Go with the biggest you can fit inside the stand or somewhere near bye. I would not recommend a canister for salt they can become nutrient traps quickly. However people do use them successfully .

 

[Eden Holbrook]

Thank you aujosh84 and Guss.

I have one more question: I've read that you don't need a sump, but it's recommended. Is this true? Do I need a sump or is it just better to have one?

 

[leveldrummer]

Thank you aujosh84.

I have one more question: I've read that you don't need a sump, but it's recommended. Is this true? Do I need a sump or is it just better to have one?

You dont need a sump, many tanks come as "all in one" setups that have a false wall that you put your filter and heater in.

you see this more often in smaller tanks like nanos.


a sump is just an extra tank, that you hide equipment in, it also has the added benefit of adding water volume to increase stablilty.

You dont need a sump, but you will have to have some equipment exposed in your display tank. at the very least, you will need a heater and a powerhead.

 

[Guss]

I agree with leveldrummer you don't have to but I would recommend one. My buddy has a 75 with equipment hanging all over it. His tank looks good but would be awesome if everything was hidden in a sump.

 

[Guss]

Thank you aujosh84 and Guss.

I have one more question: I've read that you don't need a sump, but it's recommended. Is this true? Do I need a sump or is it just better to have one?

You will have more questions I am sure! Ask away there are a ton of people who will help you out here! Never think a question is unimportant, a whole contained ecosystem will be depending on you.

 

[Eden Holbrook]

Guss: I will definitely have more questions! I tend to over think things, and I want to make sure I get everything right.

Thank you all so much. I think I will try it without the sump, and if I don't like it, then I will get a sump

 

[Cozwey]

I will chime in here and ask what your intended idea is with the new tank. FOWLR, reef tank, species tank? This will help guide you to what the best options are for equipment long term. Over thinking and patience is a good thing in this hobby. Ask away with all the questions you want.

+1 on reading the stickies.

 

[Cozwey]

Typically a sump will be around 1/3 the size of your display. Most folk here will suggest a sump with a skimmer in it. Long term it is likely the best typical option when starting out. I have a 120 dt and 55 sump. Sounds big but I wish I had a bigger sump. I would like to have more room to house a better refugium.

+1 to more total water is more stable.

 

[Silvergryphon]

I think a sump is the best way to go in the long run. They aren't too hard to set up. Watch Craiglist for cheap tanks, or wait for Petco's $1/gal sale. Glass for the baffles/partitions isn't expensive either, I just paid about $11 for 4 panes for my sump I'm working on right now.