So question for all you experianed reefers! i have a 40 breeder that i have had up for about 8-9 months. I have never ran a sump was using a HOB filter. Got rid of that and switch to a Remora pro and seems to be doing really good. I have 50Lbs of live rock in there as well. I have a spare 20 gallon sitting around and i was thinking about turning it into a sump. I was looking to hear the advantages and disadvantges to it and if its honestly even worth the time. By the way its all LPS in the tank i think that matters right lol?:lol2:
Sump Vs non sump
- Thread starter mikem101
- Start date
xmenx2dad
New member
The advantages are more water volume and hiding the equipment. The potential down side is if you want to drill the glass and use an overflow, then you would have to drain the tank. You could use a hang on the back overflow box and then use a mag pump or similar to push the water back up.
I ran without a sump for years because I didn't have a plumbed tank and I didn't want an HOB overflow. I then migrated to a sump with a new system.
1) sump = more water = good
2) you can hide all the ugly **** inside the sump.
3) see #1 and 2.
I can not in good conscience, recommend for someone to go sump-less when there is the chance of having sump.
1) sump = more water = good
2) you can hide all the ugly **** inside the sump.
3) see #1 and 2.
I can not in good conscience, recommend for someone to go sump-less when there is the chance of having sump.
Electrobes
Montipora type guy
I run my tank sumpless and skimmerless, but I wouldn't recommend it versus going with a sump. I'm used to being sumpless... have been for years and I make it work. The nice thing about a sump, IMO, are several:
- Added water volume being the biggest thing.
- Easier access to equipment... I hate it when people say it's a place to hide ugly equipment. If I had a sump, it'd be pretty and organized. I am just a bit OCD
- Bigger equipment! Things like skimmer, reactors, etc. It's always better to go bigger than smaller on most things, and a sump can let that happen.
- A sump is a nice place to have a temporary time out place in conjunction with a temporary frag holder. If a fish or other livestock needs to be isolated.. bam you have a place. You can also place frags down there without interfering with the main display's look.
- Refugium was mentioned.. though honestly I wouldn't run one, just a personal preference.
- Water changes have a slightly less stressful effect on the tank, when using the sump to drain and refill. Also just easier to do a water change in general, with a sump.
That's just off the top of my head.
My tank as a reference:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W1HUkupmm-s?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
- Added water volume being the biggest thing.
- Easier access to equipment... I hate it when people say it's a place to hide ugly equipment. If I had a sump, it'd be pretty and organized. I am just a bit OCD
- Bigger equipment! Things like skimmer, reactors, etc. It's always better to go bigger than smaller on most things, and a sump can let that happen.
- A sump is a nice place to have a temporary time out place in conjunction with a temporary frag holder. If a fish or other livestock needs to be isolated.. bam you have a place. You can also place frags down there without interfering with the main display's look.
- Refugium was mentioned.. though honestly I wouldn't run one, just a personal preference.
- Water changes have a slightly less stressful effect on the tank, when using the sump to drain and refill. Also just easier to do a water change in general, with a sump.
That's just off the top of my head.
My tank as a reference:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W1HUkupmm-s?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Nice tank! Very clean. I see what you mean by OCD.
I go sumpless for different reasons: energy efficiency and spill proofing. For the latter, I like to have everything in the tank, so nothing hanging on the back either. I also cover up the tank to minimize evaporation (and keep water usage down).
Hmmm... I may be too cheap to be in this hobby.
I go sumpless for different reasons: energy efficiency and spill proofing. For the latter, I like to have everything in the tank, so nothing hanging on the back either. I also cover up the tank to minimize evaporation (and keep water usage down).
Hmmm... I may be too cheap to be in this hobby.
fishaholic911
New member
You can do HOB surface skimming and HOB fuge. with isolated lighting. Again, getting uglier and uglier
fishaholic911
New member
You can do HOB surface skimming and HOB fuge. with isolated lighting. Again, getting uglier and uglier
You are correct but unfortunately there are not very many HOB skimmers that have the surface skimming option. Also if you do not have an ATO they are useless especially here in NM. I add 1 gallon of water a day to my 90
in AZ I would add that to my 300 with 1200 watts of lighting. This is a trade off I do not mind as I do not miss the 115 degree temps
fishaholic911
New member
Isn't that the truth :lolspin:
miguelgar2008
In Memoriam
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I think i have made a choice! im going to try and stay sumpless and keep my remora with the surface skimming option, and turn my 20 gallon into another nano reef considering i just got a extra light i wasnt expecting to get! or maybe get another 40 gallon and do a blue ring octopus who knows! thats the bad part about this hobby IT NEVER ENDS! so many choices!
