[8inthechase]

I currently have a 55gal. tank with a Marineland Bio-wheel filter a visi-therm stealth heater and a sweeping powerhead. I've been thinking of adding a sump to my tank. The sump would be a 10gal aquarium. Would I be able to move my bio-wheel to the sump along with my heater to give my tank a more eye pleasing apearance? I would then remove the powerhead because it is only for more circulation in the tank which the pump in the sump would provide. I would like to add a protein skimmer in the sump. Also, how do you prevent a overflow in the sump incase a power outage would occur? Thanks Everyone!

[Reefland]

Yes, you could move all of your equipment to the sump, this is one of the main reasons to have one. As for overflowing, this is easily prevented with two things. 1 - a continuous siphon overflow (usually with an air pump hooked to it) and 2 - by operating the sump at a level which allows the 1-1.5" of water from the main tank to drain to the sump without overflowing it.

[zhenya]

I think for the 55g tank 10g sump would be quite too small to handle any overflows. The more comfortable size sump for your size tank would be a 20g long tank modified with some bufles to reduce micro bubbles. To prevent tank from draining via return line I would also consider installing check valve somewhere after after the pump.

[Poseidon]

Okay, I'll make it a 30! I really think that is the smallest I would go, I have very little room in my sump, and I have a 30. My sump holds a heater, a skimmer, Cheato, and of course return and skimmer pumps. I also have a pump for my chiller, and a pump for my over flow. Things get crowded pretty fast in there!

Oh by the way, I would leave the sweep in the tank, more flow is not a BAD thing!

[8inthechase]

O.k. her is another, which would be better my bio-wheel or construct my own drip bio tower in the sump?

[Reefland]

Neither are needed....really. With liverock in the tank, you have more than enough surface area for biological filtration, and liverock is natural. These "bio" filters allow for more bacteria to develop (not needed with liverock) and they also get dirty and require a lot of cleaning to keep them from contributing to nitrates.

[The R/C Man]

As far as sumps are concerned, the larger the sump the better. Increasing the water volume creates a more stable environment for the inhabitants. I have seen people with 25 gallon tanks and 100 gallon sumps in the basement. This also allows for a large bio load in the tank.....

[8inthechase]

Thanks for all the info, I will keep it all in mind when I build mine.