To sump, or not to sump

[Rugid]

Hi everybody, it's been awhile since I've been on the site. anyways i will get to my question. Right now I'm running a canister filter( Rena XP3), and I'm trying to decide if I should convert over to a sump set-up. The canister was a impulse buy when I first did my set-up. Is it worth the extra expense and effort. And if so can anyone provide me with a proper set-up for a sump(which I have minimal knowledge about). Again thanks everybody for your knowledge and support.;;

[smidoid]

FWIW, I'm pro sump even though my (own) design has a tendency to overflow. The main advantage of a sump is that it can raise the systems capacity to perhaps as much as double it's normal size (more if you really want to) and that gives more room for a bacteria NNR plant. It also gives you somewhere to hide equipment such as the heaters, UV treatment, and so on.

[AOAndy]

Go with the sump. As has been pointed out it will give you so many more options equipment wise and increase you overall water volume as a bonus. So many people regret not adding a sump at the start of setting up a new display tank.




Andy

[Samper]

To Sump!!

[Poseidon]

To sump!

It adds volume, which adds stability, and that is a good thing.

Here is a picture of my old sump:



And my new one:

[smidoid]

Damn that's soooo cool Mike! Wish I had a basement.

[Poseidon]

Thanks Marc! It sure makes it easy to do water changes, my RO unit is to the left of the sump, behind a little wall. I have 2 32 gallon trash cans back there, one for fresh, the other for salt water. (I still have to plumb in the second one though....)

Also there is a sink just to the left of the sump as well, so I have a good place to clean the skimmer as well. All in all it works VERY well! In a couple of weeks I will add a Kalk reactor, with an auto top off to make the maintenance even easier. I also plan on coming up with an automated water changer, but that will have to wait till the next house!

[smidoid]

Just imagine how green I look right now... sort of emeraldy... ;-) Nice.

[The R/C Man]

Hey All!

Yes sumps are great. They add volume (already mentioned) this extra volume will give you some fudge room should something go wrong in the tank. They also give a place to add a refugium, more live rock and other inhabitants they may not be compatible with the main display critters.

Mike I am also jealous of you having a basement. I would lke to put 2 150gallon rubbermaids side by side. The first containing live rock and the second macro algae. That would almost double the system volume and add considerable filtration......

[Poseidon]

Yes it does! I doubled my volume adding that sump. I only have a 5 gallon bucket full of Chaeto, but it does a nice job, with the 20 or so pounds of rock that is in there.

I am sure the skimmer and UV take care of most of my filtration needs though, heck I can never get a reading for NO3!

[Rugid]

Alright, you guy's have me convinced. I still need to figure out the overflow box. I have a general idea how it works. I have an all glass tank. Now do I have to drill the bottom of the tank? If so, that would mean a total dismantle of my display, and I'm not sure if I want to do that. Also what goes in a sump, other than your equipment?

[The R/C Man]

To save you some serious trouble creating an overflow you can always purchase one of these: CPR AQUATIC, INC - CS Overflows
I currently have one running on my 25 gallon tank and have enjoyed its reliabilty. You will need to use their vacuum pump in order to keep a siphon going.

A sump adds water volume and is a great place to incorporate a refugium. A refugium is a place to grow macro algae and to keep criiters like ampipods and copopods safe from predation. Running the lights over the fuge opposite the main display aids in maintaining PH levels through out the night.