SUMP... Necessary?

[PPi]

I am curious as to if having a sump is recommended and/or necessary to have success. I am currently setting up a 46 Bow with 55lbs of LR and 60lbs of LS. Running a canister and skimmer. Obviously I am just setting up so haven't planned what to keep, probably the beginner coral and a few fish down the road. Is it necessary to have a sump at this point or something to start planning on. Just looking of opinions and if anyone has any suggestions on equipment. Thanks

 

[ccorpse27]

Absolutely not necessary.

 

[corals b 4 bills]

A bmw is not necessary either but a sump will accommodate most of your equipment, help with surface gas exchange, the addition of a fuge with cheto for nutrient export will definitely sway you in that direction, necessary? no.

 

[JohnstonAtoll]

Ive been running 2 canister filters for 3 years and all is good. I am planning on getting rid of the canisters though and putting in a large sump because spending $80/month on media for the filters is getting old.

 

[Reef Sponger]

A sump gives you more choices on better performing skimmers. The best HOB skimmer just doesn't do as well as a good in sump skimmer.

 

[nic_u812]

Just save yourself the trouble, and put together a system with a sump now. Down the road, you will no-doubt just add one anyhow... As your hoby skills grow, so will your desire for better, more suited equipment... No better place in the world to put that equipment than in a sump... Just my $.02

 

[PPi]

I appreciate all of your thoughts. I do like the idea of clearing the tank of all of your equipment.

Any recommendations on a sump. I can get a Tidepool II fairly cheap. I guess a 600GPH overflow and not sure what size return pump(500gph+)?

Thanks for all the quick replys!

 

[dc_909]

5 years, no sump and a prizm (not really worth calling a skimmer)

 

[PPi]

Very impressive

 

[kdblove_99]

just buy a used glass aquarium like a 29 gallon or however big you can fit under your tank and add your own baffles, i did it, It is very easy and a cheap way to go

 

[PPi]

Sorry, since this is the first saltwater and have money to spend, I will go with something retail. If I was a little more experienced, I would try building one on my own. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a retail sump and return flow pump? Thanks

 

[mg426]

Doc that is one smokin tank you got going. Nice job !!!


I still like a sump for keeping gear hid and its a good place to add buffers and Ca. Make up water Etc.

 

[Reef Sponger]

Check your local Craigslist and there's good deals on used equipment.

 

[joedirt54]

Sweet tank DC!!!!!! No, you don't need a sump or fuge, but your reef life will be much better with them...Stick with MH lighing, good skimmer, drilled tanks, quality LR, bare bottom, high/random flow, min fish/feeding, stable alk/ca++ and SG, and ultra high quality RO/DI source water(zero tds) and you can't kill a coral without a knife or power utility meltdown.

Dirt

 

[old95er]

Definitely set up a sump. When I started with a 29 gallon, I did not have a sump, I used eheim Classic canisters and a Prizm. It was terrific at first. Then it was a huge PITA.

. . .you need to religiously clean the canister out, and the skimmer really did not do much good.

I replced the canisters with an Ecosystem sump, not knowing that I could by a glass tank and have a glass shop make baffles for around $60. Aquarium silicone is available at most LFS.
The ocean does not have canister filters. It has Kelp beds, mangrove swamps, etc. . .that is what the sump is meant to recreate. IMHO, stay away from canisters.



I then transferred that sump to my 50 that I have running for two years.

The sump made life much easier. It does need plumbing. If you do not already have the tank drilled, drill it and add an internal overflow. I have kicked myself many times for not drilling or the two tanks that I have had. Drilling a tank is super easy. And again, the glass shop will make glass panels that you can silicone in place as an internal overflow.

OR you can spend a few hundred on a sump and more on a tank with overflows built in.

Either way, set up with the sump first. Save money, do it yourself with a tank and glass from the shop.

 

[Primetime33]

I have seen dc_909's tank. It is the cleanest tank you will ever see. Crystal clear.

Brock

 

[WallyBackm]

DC SICK TANK!

 

[bayreef]

nice setup

 

[PPi]

Again, Thanks for the response on sumps. Just to reinterate, I am new to the sport and not a very crafty sob. I do have money to spend and would like any feedback on commercial bought sumps, return pump and overflow. I don't mind seeing that in the tank and don't want to drill the tank. If all is necessary to have a drilled tank, I will adapt to what I have to work with.

OH YEAH and nice frick'n tank DC, now go start your own thread, your getting more responses than I am. lol lol .... Seriously nice job with the tank

 

[carlso63]

Just as an FYI, a sump doesn't have to be under the display tank-

My "sump" is actually 3 - 10g tanks, end-to-end, same height as the 125g display. Simple (yet effective ) siphon tubes carry water to the first 'part' of the sump, which houses my skimmer. Next, water flows (again via siphon tubes) to the 2nd 'part', the refugium. A 24w PC lights the 10g tank filled with cheato and red grancilaria algae... the 3rd 'part' of the sump houses my heaters, topoff doser, intake and return for a phosphate remover, and one of 2 temp probes (other is in the display).

My "return pump" is actually a Fluval 404 (340gph) that runs carbon. My total "sump" turnover is right around 3 times tank volume; just about where you would want it to be.

Oh, one other advantage... this design means it is basically impossible for my sump to "drain" the display and flood the room, unlike conventional sump designs...

Just another option to consider (albeit an unusual one )