why need filter with LR? I don't get it

[kimha]

I am sitting here staring at my FOWLR tank and don't see why I would need this sump as filtration.

I have about 200lbs of LR in my 135g tank with 2 strong powerheads on both ends to provide additional water circulation. Below it I have a 40g sump with full of LR as well with a mag12 for return. Amonia/nitrite are zero. a little bit of nitrate but not too much. 20% water change bi-weekly

out of curiosity, I turned off the sump for a week. Test the water and it is pretty much the same with or without the sump running. Don't really see the point of having this 40g sump

 

[masson]

The point of a sump is to add water volume to a tank and give you a place to put equiptment. The added volume makes it easier to maintain a tank because you have more room incause of a screw up or if something dies . I only have a sump for my asm skimmer. Some use their sumps for their heaters and probes and auto top off and also refugiums.

 

[hansnfrans]

Like masson said, it is where you want to put your equipment so that it isn't an eye-sore in the display tank. Also the sump enables you to use an in-sump skimmer or an external skimmer set-up. If I were you, I'd take full advantage of the sump by partitioning it off w/ baffles so that you can have a refugium in there. Having a refugium will certainly help you to reduce the frequency/amount of water changes that are necessary to keep your system healthy. Do you mean that you change out 20% of the water 2 times per month (bi-monthly) or do you really mean that you are changing 20% of the water twice per week (bi-weekly)?

 

[Racenrich]

kimha,
i hope you didnt put the SAME water that sat for a week in your sump back into your tank?

More or less masson and hans are correct...most go with addtional volume as well as to get all the wiring and stuff out of your main display....i found it to be ease of use and i have NO wires in my main display....HTH