[The Fire]

I will be upgrading to a reef very soon with my 55 gallon FOWLR tank. I cannot grasp the idea of a sump. I've tried searching all over the internet and i just don't understand. Could someone clearly explain to me how to build a sump. It would be greatly appreciated.

[leebca]

You want to first wrap your head around the function of a sump, I think.

Think first that saltwater is being circulated in the display tank by powerheads, etc. Now think that water is being pumped into the display tank. The excess water overflows into pipes and the water drops by gravity into a container on the floor level. In that container you have tank water. The container is rectangular. At one end the water from the display is coming in by gravity. At the other end is the pump that is pumping water into the display aquarium (the one mentioned above).

If that container is sized properly, that container can hold water treatment equipment, including a skimmer, heater, mechanical and/or chemical filters.

Since the water coming in is 'splashing' you want to design the container with bevels or panels that will 'calm' the water and allow bubbles to rise.

Since water is flowing from one end to the other you can make all water pass through filters or you can add pumps for a skimmer, pumps for a mechanical and/or chemical filter.

Once finished you have what is known as a sump. Many are commercially available already plumbed and designed with the proper baffles and dividers. Reefland has a do-it-yourself forum (DIY Forum) that you should post in, if you want to learn how to make one of your own.

[Reefland]

You might find this link helpful:
http://www.reefland.com/rho/2006/05/overflows_sumps.php

[The Fire]

ok this helps alot, thank you very much

[jsheffel]

Try this link as well.

Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

This guy is a sump g_d.