To Sump or not to Sump

[bmitchell138]

I have a 29g reef tank that I am running with HOB equipment. I've been considering converting to a sump. I've been doing some research and I have come up with these pros and cons:

Pros:
Filtration equipment is not in the DT and out of sight
Ability to add a refugium
Surface skimming of DT - better oxygenation of the water
More water volume.

Cons (for my application):
Noisy as water drains to sump
HOB skimmer will have to be used since my tank cannot be drilled.
Will require more frequent top offs
Power outage or over flow and/or return pump failure could cause the DT or sump to overflow onto the floor.

I'm on the fence and need some advice about converting to a sump.

If I do convert to a sump will be a 10g DIY 3 chamber setup, with an Eshopps PF300 overflow and a Quiet One 220 return pump.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Bent]

To address your cons:

1: you can make your sump dead silent. Either a bean or herbie drain will make zero noise.
2: why exactly can't it be drilled? Most 29s are plate glass all around. I know mine is. It drilled easily and didn't take long at all because the glass isn't very thick.
3: set up an ATO with some float switches and a holding tank. Done.
4: make sure the return nozzle is right next to the surface and the sump has plenty of room to handle the amount back siphoned until the return nozzle breaks the surface. That will handle the possible sump flood. Use a bean drain and your display tank will never ever flood.

You also missed a couple of pros:
1: ability to run some chaeto
2: more water volume = more stable tank
3: looks 100x better.

The only con to running a sump that I can think of is its just more work too set up.

 

[Wsufan18]

Exactly what Bent said.
The best thing I ever did was increase my water volume. Now I have stability and sps corals.

 

[bmitchell138]

To address your cons:

1: you can make your sump dead silent. Either a bean or herbie drain will make zero noise.
2: why exactly can't it be drilled? Most 29s are plate glass all around. I know mine is. It drilled easily and didn't take long at all because the glass isn't very thick.
3: set up an ATO with some float switches and a holding tank. Done.
4: make sure the return nozzle is right next to the surface and the sump has plenty of room to handle the amount back siphoned until the return nozzle breaks the surface. That will handle the possible sump flood. Use a bean drain and your display tank will never ever flood.

You also missed a couple of pros:
1: ability to run some chaeto
2: more water volume = more stable tank
3: looks 100x better.

The only con to running a sump that I can think of is its just more work too set up.

Thanks for the reply, Bent.

I know that the drilled option is best, but I would have to break down the tank in order to drill it. Not sure if I want to go through that process.

I haven't researched ATOs much. Did you make your own? Can you provide a list of equipment you used and maybe a picture or two of the setup?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[frey]

get a larger RR tank and use your 29 as a sump. you will go bigger eventually anyways.

 

[bmitchell138]

get a larger RR tank and use your 29 as a sump. you will go bigger eventually anyways.

I've been down that road. 10g, then 20, 29, 55, two 55s, 75, three 55s.... Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) i don't have room to upgrade to a bigger tank.

I've decided to build a sump. I've got the tank chambers drawn out now I just need to get some glass and pvc and start building.

 

[dt204]

If you can't/don't want to drill, a HOB overflow like the eshopps would work fine. The benefits of a sump are still enough to make doing it worth while!
The added volume won't be a ton more top off. If you're already used to topping it up manually with rodi, it won't be much different.
ATO's are great if you have the space for them. There are many great options and videos on them.
Good luck with your sump!

 

[reefbroao]

Simply add a sump that can take the extra water volume. Even when I turn my return off my sump cannot overflow because it holds the extra water with room to go.

From a guy who never ran sump before this current setup I would do it. I'll never use hob again. I went through about 4 hob skimmers from major brands and they're all junk

 

[morpheas]

I had the exact same dilemma with the exact same tank and on Thanksgiving i went ahead and never looked back again. I am positive you won't regret it.

 

[uncleL]

I just had to chime in Im a sumpless guy....lol. I'm currently running a 90 gallon mix Reef 29 gallon bowfront and a 20 gallon without Sumps. All is well will the tunze ATO

 

[morpheas]

You can most certainly do it, it's just easier with a sump in my opinion that's all...

 

[frey]

yeah +1 on the tunze ATO, I also have a JBJ but the tunze is hands down worth the extra money. I have bought I don't know how many tanks, 55, then 72 bow then 120 then a 40 and now a 180. I wish I woulda just gone with the 300DD. Probably be my next big purchase. if I could fit something massive I would. It amazing how fast you can fill up a tank. Once you catch the bug and have some success there is always something new. If budget allows I am still sticking to my original post. Get a bigger display and start with your other tank as a sump. I used to install tanks and I do not like external overflows. it never fails the power will go out when you are not around and although with the new brands out they start syphon almost all the time it only takes one time with no one around to ruin a floor or have a drip down to the next level. I have seen it many a time. good luck with whatever you decide to do

 

[JammyBirch]

Sump for sure, 25g cube here with sump, everything Bent said is right on the money. Interesting no one jumped on the "add a refugium" part of your pro's...

I have a 10g split sump...first half has my skimmer and return pump chambers, the entire other half is a refugium (~4g). Best thing in the entire system...and totally worth having. I have an ATS, chaeto, rubble and more pods than you would believe.

I run a "Smart ATO", search that...Amazon has them for ~$150, worth every penny in my opinion.

You'll need to have two (2) very important concepts in mind for your design.

1. You need to make your return chamber small enough so that the volume can be held in the DT. in case of a clogged drain.

2. You need to make your sump tall enough so that the head space volume, volume of water above your drain pipe in the DT, can be held in the sump. This is for a power outage or return pump failure.

All you'll have to worry about is your ATO, the Smart ATO will protect against over topping.

 

[dt204]

I even drilled a hole high in my sump with a direct line to the drain in case of ATO failure! You can never have enough fail safes

 

[morpheas]

I even drilled a hole high in my sump with a direct line to the drain in case of ATO failure! You can never have enough fail safes

Never thought about that, that's a good idea [emoji1]