How many gallon is your main display tank and if you have a sump how much water does it hold? I currently have a 230 gal reef , I went without a sump to avoid the water on the floor problems. I am wondering if there is any added benifits to this extra water volume , besides helping to keep water parameters more stable.
Sumps
- Thread starter tbass
- Start date
Bennihanna
New member
I can not believe you have a reef that big without a sump. I bet your top off situation is a nightmare (having to dump buckets into the display).
I replace 2 gallons a day everything is hang on the back. It really isnt that big a deal . you still didn't answer my question . How big is your display tank and how much water is in your sump. My tank has done fine without a sump actually. I recently had a coraline algae bloom that was unbelievable , but it left as soon as it came. so do you think that the extra water in your sump serves a purpose? beside less water parameter changes. oh I purchased a dosing pump from ebay to add make up water but it only lasted a month , I need to purchase another , as it worked out great.
GoldStripe
New member
My display is 150 and my sump, filled to the tippie top would be 50 gallons. I'm not sure of the running volume yet but probably 60-70% of that.
GoldStripe
New member
It definitely can't hurt, especially on smaller systems. Yes I do think it helps. Plus running a light 24/7 down there or on a reverse light cycle can help stabilize pH a bit. Plus, if you run a fuge/sump combo, there is some pretty cool stuff to look at down there as well (no predators). Not that you have temp problems, but fans can be placed over the sump to help keep temp correct. All of this is JMO of course.
I have a 125 display with a 55 sump.
Not sure how much actual water is in the sump, but I'd guess 30 gallons.
As Dan said, the extra water can't hurt but it wasn't the main reason for the sump for me.
The ability to have an autotopoff in the sump is worth it alone.
Plus it allowed me to add extras as I go such has controller probes and someday a calcium reactor.
I couldn't imagine living without one
Not sure how much actual water is in the sump, but I'd guess 30 gallons.
As Dan said, the extra water can't hurt but it wasn't the main reason for the sump for me.
The ability to have an autotopoff in the sump is worth it alone.
Plus it allowed me to add extras as I go such has controller probes and someday a calcium reactor.
I couldn't imagine living without one
PelagicMagic
New member
180 reef w/ 55 gallon sump. the sump has about 40 gallons of water in it. As follows, the drain empties into a filtersock which passes by the skimmer which flows into the fuge which passes the inlet for the calcium reactor and the return. The next tank is going to have a 75- 100 gallon sump so I can do a water change w/o taking water out of the display. I also want to use my current 180 for a fuge.
PelagicMagic
New member
well whatever tbass is doing his tank looks great. Like the old saying, if its not broke don't fix it
PelagicMagic
New member
I also think the sump should be in a remote location and not under the tank. I dont know about everyone else but I hate working under the tank. It also keeps the noise down from the pumps, chiller, etc
That's for sure Steve. Makes you think when you have a 230 how much more volume do you need. Like you, I'd love to put my sump out into the garage. I hate having to dig around under the stand. I just need to get the ambition to close in the garage and make another room out of it. Part would be a fish work room.
I currently run 2 remora c pro skimmer hang on the back , and a calcium reactor that goes into a hang on the back refugium and 1 canister filter that holds the rowsphos. I really didn't plan on doing a reef it just kinda happened . The 230 didn't come reef ready and I didn't want to mess with drilling the tank for over flows. also I would have had to make a stand larger stand for all the equipment , which I didn't know I need to run this reef. The tank and stand were only $400 and I really wasn't planning on getting into a reef. Also the other 135's that I had always had problems with overflowing on the floor. I'm sure it was my engineering of the overflows that was the problem there. I plan on putting an additional 75 gal plastic tank next to the 230 reef to get more volume in hopes that the water quality will get better and I will see more coral growth. If you all have suggestions, I would be open to hear them . I know most of you have way more knowledge than me in this hobby . just a rookie here. Thanks for all your input on the thread its always helpful to hear everyones opinion. Thanks again.
