To Sump or NOT to Sump

[tizme]

:? I've done some reading in particular about the Turboflotor 1000 w/pump (here at http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... light=sump and http://www.reefsuk.com/Marine%20Aquariu ... ctSump.htm ) and although I've got a good understanding of how a sump works etc., I'm still wondering the true benefits. Can anyone shed some light?

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Sumps are great for three reasons.
1) They give you a large volume of water, and the larger the volume the more stable the system.
2) They give you a place to put all your crap. Heater, skimmer, ph monitor, a good place to add Kalk or top off water, etc
3) You can keep living stuff in there like macros for nutrient export, the odd mantis shrimp, a 'fuge or even propagate corals there.

Also, if you plumb it properly, you won't have powerheads in the tank taking up space and looking weird.

I know, four reasons, but three looks better in print.

RR

 

[Reefguide]

Righty is Right ! :lol: SUMP !! It's a very good idea. It's also a good place for pods, shrimp, ect to live and reproduce free from preditors. They eventually get pumped into the main tank and provide a snack for your reef.

Off topic a bit, I also hate the look of Powerheads in a tank but keep in mind that a PH can save your reefs life. If your main pump fails at least the powerheads in the tank will buy you a bit of time. I dont use PH's in my tank, like I said I hate the look, but it's just something for you to keep in mind.

 

[ChrisRD]

A couple of other major advantages to add to Righty's list.

-Having a sump allows you a much wider range of choices for a skimmer.

-A sump allows you room to construct baffles so that you can eliminate getting micro bubbles from your skimmer in the main aquarium.

- You can use an overflow (preferably built-in) to get the water to your sump. With this setup you're drawing the water to be treated from the surface of the tank. This prevents a build-up of surface film, which promotes better gas exchange.

 

[Anonymous]

there are disadvantages, but they are far outwieghed by the advantages.

3 cons are =

1. need access to sump area. (the reason i don't have one on my favorite tank)


2. its easier to flood your home.


3. they tend to be a noisier setup (or maybe this is just my jealousy speaking).



i do have one on my little 20L, its the better way to go.

 

[tizme]

Really helps!

 

[ChrisRD]

My opinion on this differs from Podman:

3 cons are =
1. need access to sump area. (the reason i don't have one on my favorite tank)

Not sure what your particular situation is, but I wouldn't say this is usually a problem for most setups. Most people just do the under-the-tank sump.

2. its easier to flood your home.

I would argue that it depends how you design your system. My sump can't flood my tank if the drain pipe is plugged, nor can my tank flood my sump in a power outage. The only thing that could happen is that my return pump could burn-up from a dry run if my drain got plugged.

OTOH - I've had a few hang-on skimmers that did a great job of pumping several gallons of tank water on my floor.

3. they tend to be a noisier setup

Again, I would argue that this could really depend on the setup. I'm using a modified version of Rich Durso's standpipe and my setup is extremely quiet. OTOH some of my former hang-on skimmers were obnoxiously loud.

I think the only real advantages of NOT having a sump are simplicity and initial costs being lower. You might also use a little bit less energy not having to run a large return pump, but since that additional flow does eliminate the use of some powerheads, it really doesn't amount to much of a difference.

Just my opinion...

 

[tizme]

Where do I get info on Rich Durso's standpipe? I kinda liked the idea of having the tank drilled and piped to the PS.

So, is a 10-gallon sump fair for a 55 gallon tank using a Turboflotor? Whatcha say? :lol:

Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

IMHO, i think a ten will work fine, though bigger is better in this application. again IMHO.

 

[Anonymous]

wolfman quoted/wrote

Podman wrote:
3 cons are =
1. need access to sump area. (the reason i don't have one on my favorite tank)


Not sure what your particular situation is, but I wouldn't say this is usually a problem for most setups. Most people just do the under-the-tank sump

i have a situation where i don't have a useable space under the tank.

common? maybe not. is it a con? i would say so as there are obviously some applications such as mine out there.

wolfman quoted/wrote

Podman wrote:
2. its easier to flood your home.

I would argue that it depends how you design your system. My sump can't flood my tank if the drain pipe is plugged, nor can my tank flood my sump in a power outage. The only thing that could happen is that my return pump could burn-up from a dry run if my drain got plugged.

OTOH - I've had a few hang-on skimmers that did a great job of pumping several gallons of tank water on my floor.

if you were to recollect every horror story of home flooding via aquarium, what would be the most common set up, HOT or sump?

wolfman quoted/wrote

Podman wrote:

3. they tend to be a noisier setup

Again, I would argue that this could really depend on the setup. I'm using a modified version of Rich Durso's standpipe and my setup is extremely quiet. OTOH some of my former hang-on skimmers were obnoxiously loud.

now, first off, why did you omit part of my statement?

i base my arguement on the many tanks with and without sumps that i have seen and heard.

it is most often the case that a tank with a sump is loader than one without.

thus they tend to be noisier.

i would like to point out that i also began and ended my post with a statement that backed up your own opinion.

i would prefer to have one on my tank.

 

[ChrisRD]

i have a situation where i don't have a useable space under the tank.

common? maybe not. is it a con? i would say so as there are obviously some applications such as mine out there.

I misinterpreted your original statement. I see your argument that it does take up more space.

wolfman quoted/wrote

if you were to recollect every horror story of home flooding via aquarium, what would be the most common set up, HOT or sump?

To be truthful, I haven't known many people first hand that have had flooding problems either way. I've actually had some problems with HOTs and none with a sump, but that's just my experience.

now, first off, why did you omit part of my statement?

No ulterior motives here - I just quoted the part I was answering...

it is most often the case that a tank with a sump is loader than one without.

thus they tend to be noisier.

Well, we can just agree to disagree here. :wink:

i would like to point out that i also began and ended my post with a statement that backed up your own opinion.

i would prefer to have one on my tank.

Please understand, I'm just offering another point of view - your response sounds defensive. I apologize if I offended you.

 

[ChrisRD]

IMHO, i think a ten will work fine, though bigger is better in this application. again IMHO.

I agree. I'm using a 29 gallon sump for a 50 gallon display right now. I would have went with a bigger sump if I had any more room under the stand. I'd go with the largest sump you have space for. The more water in the system the better.

 

[ChrisRD]

Where do I get info on Rich Durso's standpipe?

http://www.rl180reef.com

 

[Anonymous]

wolfman,

no offense here. just like you, i was stating my point.

you made some good ones.

 

[johns120]

My sump in the basement has allowed me to place all noisy pumps out of the show tank room, helped dissipate water changes so there is less shock to inhabitants and cool the water down on hot summer days.

 

[tizme]

I checked out Durso's AGA Standpipe design. Although it looks great, the bottom of my tank is tempered. So now what? Is there a modification that would accommodate for tempered bottoms?

Help!

 

[SPC]

I checked out Durso's AGA Standpipe design. Although it looks great, the bottom of my tank is tempered. So now what? Is there a modification that would accommodate for tempered bottoms?

Help!

-I have my 180 drilled through the back glass.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I've heard of someone who sandblasted horizontal slits in the back glass and then had an external, DIY, acrylic overflow attached. I wish I could remember where to find the link. If I do, then I'll come back and post it.

 

[Anonymous]

You could also have holes sandblasted in the bottom glass. I think tempered glass would hold up.

RR

 

[danmhippo]

drill through back glass like Steve said. It will serve the purpose as long as you drill as close to bottom leaving at least 2" away from all sides. The side panels mostlikely are not tempered. Check with your tank manufacturer to be sure.