Do I have this right?

[Lostmind]

ok, I apologise for the newb questions here. I have been reading books on this topic since the beginning of this year and online for the past few months... planning on doing a last trip to the pet store on monday to figure out exactly what equip I have access too and what size tank I can grab, etc... anyways, before I start babbling too much...

I have yet to see a good pic and explanation of a sump. From my understanding, the sump typically has a heater (if needed) and skimmer. Now, is there anything else I am missing? a filter of some sort on the incoming water (but doesnt the skimmer essentially get rid of the junk in the water?)?

If the sump tank is large enough, could I partition it and make one half a refugium (some algaes and critters) and then put the heater and skimmer in the other half? Would the waterflow be too fast for the refugium to actually function properly? Should the refugium be a separate tank with a lesser waterflow?

I've been wanting a saltwater tank since I was twelve... I havent even broken into the hobby yet and I have spent over $100 on books... and not one of them more than briefly mentions the sump or gives a good pic/diagram of one! Personally I think my biggest challenge isn't patience or budget really, but finding a large enough tank to fit into the following dimensions: either 32"*42" or 20"*60" (left out height cuz the room is a standard 8' ceiling).

I've had several freshwater tanks as a kid - the hardest part was moving the tank everytime we moved, now I own a house so no more moving (at least for a few years).

One final question - can anyone recommend a good site to find out fish compatibility? I cant seem to find anything...

Thanks in advance, sorry for the long post.

 

[tuftsreef]

for you fish compatibility question, you can check out this:

http://www.tropicalfishstore.com/compatibility.htm

http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/w ... 090197.htm

but there are different types of fish per group ex. a six line wrass won't kill you shrimp, many other wrasses will see them as food

 

[ChaoticReefer]

WELCOME TO REEFS.ORG!

As you stated a sump is a place to put hardware, but there are many other reasons. It is a place to increase your water volume. The more water volume you have the more stable your system is.

It also a place to dose something when needed.

Yes, you can partition it, in fact many many people do this to make different sections for a refugium, deep sand bed, live rock,and etc.

You don't need any other filter besides a skimmer. Just remember that your sand bed and live rock are filters too. So in all, you have three filters in your tank. A skimmer removes the waste before it starts to break down. Live rock and sand filters after the waste starts to break down.

I am glad to hear that you bought books before you jumped into the hobby. Most people don't buy books until its too late. Pat yourself on your back for booking books. Books are the cheapest part of this hobby and in long run they save you money.

 

[esmithiii]

I made my own sump. You can find the plans here:

(Right-click and select Save target... as to download, or simply click on the link to see it in your browser)

Ernie's sump plans (powerpoint)

Here are the instructions for building it:

Ernie's sump build instructions (MS Word)

Here are some photos:

Sump Photo #1

Sump Photo #2

Sump Photo #3

I hope this helps.

Ernie

 

[Lostmind]

Wow, thanks for the replies all.

Tuftsreef - thats what I wanted! Good to see the two fish I have to get are compatible with just about anything (My gf cant wait till I can get some clownfish like little nemo)...

ChaoticReefer - the water volume thing makes a lot of sense... I was just writing up a list of everything I need to sorta build up my tank and all... and I didnt want to forget something. The sump was the one sorta blank spot in my plans. The books aren't cheap, but if I lose a bunch of expensive fish cuz I jumped before I looked, I'd lose more I think.

And Ernie, you are my hero. Thanks for the links (time to install powerpoint

Thanks everyone, warm welcome in this place