Stupid question... powerhead in sump?

D

droog

New member
Hi,

Is there any benefit to running a circulation pump / powerhead in the sump?

My sump seems to accumulate detritus, I'm wondering if a powerhead could help keep particles suspended for longer and help the skimmer or mechanical filtration grab them.

Aside from a little extra head generation there doesn't seem to be much downside to this - is it a common practice? This just occurred to me after reading this months TOTM description.

-Droog
 
i have a small power head in the fuge compartment of my sump, pointed up and toward my ginormous ball of chaeto.
 
I have one in my sump too. Maybe it's just superstition but I feel better adding doses and such when the water's ripping around; it doesn't go in to the DT as a 'chunk' that way. Not that it would matter much, but I also like a clean sump without junk floating around in it. Secondary benefit.
 
droog said:
Hi,

Is there any benefit to running a circulation pump / powerhead in the sump?

My sump seems to accumulate detritus, I'm wondering if a powerhead could help keep particles suspended for longer and help the skimmer or mechanical filtration grab them.

Aside from a little extra head generation there doesn't seem to be much downside to this - is it a common practice? This just occurred to me after reading this months TOTM description.

-Droog
Click to expand...

The ideal setup would filter water going into the sump. The skimmer's job is to remove dissolved organic material and very small particles like bacteria.
 
Thanks all. I've added a couple of simple PH's to my sump to keep the water circulating and hopefully keep it better aerated.

@Dan_P: there is a product called the rollermat from Theiling - in sump water filter to replace filter socks. See www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCyUdIDg4KQ - they are available though retailers in europe, not sure about other places yet. I'm thinking of getting one...

-droog
 
I really don't understand why anyone would want to put a powerhead in there sump. Since a sump is ment to be a place to have derititus settle and to be skimmed why would you want to kick that all back up into the return back into the dt. My sump has a good amount settled in there I wouldn't want that all going back into my tank. I'm not one of those there's only one way of doing things but if someone can explain why maybe I'll missing something
 
I am with Phil on this one. In fact, when it's time for a water change, I vacuum the sump where the detritus finally precipitates to the bottom making it a great collector of the unwanted stuff...
 
Thanks for posting. My reasoning was the same - this is why I thought it might be a silly question/idea.

There was a far amount of detritus in my sump. Once its settled to the bottom the skimmer is never going to get it. I assume at that point its just rotting and generating "bad stuff".

The idea of putting a PW in there was to sir up that **** and get it into the water column where it stands a chance of being pulled out by the skimmer and or filter wool in the sump.

I've tried vacuuming the sump too but I don't seem to be able to get it very effectively. Its very awkward to reach many spots. I have an Eheim battery powered gravel vac thing but it didn't seem to work so well for this purpose. If there is a better/more effective way to get the stuff out of my sump I would like to try that.

I've had two little powerheads in my sump for a few days now. Too soon to know if the effect is good or bad. It did dirty the DT when turning them on, but the filtration caught it soon enough and the CUC can eat any that settles in the DT.

There is a secondary benefit of increased surface agitation (gas exchange) and flow throughout the sump. Its still not clear to be whether this arrangement is net +ve or -ve for my tank. The reason I like it is that is automated. Life is busy with work and children; if I don't have to do the vacuum cleaning in my sump so much the better.

Some maintenance chores I don't mind... enjoy, even. Scrabbling around in the sump I don't enjoy though. Maybe thats just me!

-droog
 
The water goes through a sock first then into the skimmer compartment and then into a settling compartment where it's full of live rock. The powerheads sits about half way up the tank blowing up to the surface, the water then goes into the pump compartment then the DT tank. I still get detritus settling and siphon it out before a water change, the reason for the PH is first for circulation of water around the rock for effective ammonia consumption by bacteria and secondly for aeration.
 
I feel like there is plenty of aeration from water going down the overflow and entering the sump. Also powerheads in display tank cause enough surface agitation for me. From what I understand, the increased flow from a powerhead may be detrimental to pod reproduction in the sump.
 
Each to their own. If pods can live through being pumped to the DT, a powerheads would seem like a walk in the park I would imagine.
 
Shanet said:
Each to their own. If pods can live through being pumped to the DT, a powerheads would seem like a walk in the park I would imagine.
Click to expand...

True, but to live and to be comfortable enough to reproduce are two separate things to consider.
 
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