Good concept on Sump????

ReefVideos
Watch the video that is second one over from the left on the top row and see what you think about this concept. I want to build or buy a sump because I am afraid the Fluval canister filter will not be enough to keep my water parameters correct. I know nothing of sumps or how they work so any info will be greatly appricated. I am still new to the saltwater world and I just wonder why eveyone has these on their tanks. :-/

 

The main benefit of a Sump is to get heaters, probes, skimmers, carbon bags, and any other piece of equipment out of the main display tank. A sump by itself has no denitrating properties at all. On top of having a place to put all the hardware you can section off part and use it as a Refugium or just add some more LR.
But with out the LR or Refugium a sump adds a little more water volume and that is it.
As for you canister filter. I have never ran any mechanical filtration on a SW Reef tank that has LR. I am of the belief that they are not required because the LR contains all the bacteria needed to convert my Ammonia/Nitiretes

J

 

Jason
Did you watch the video? I was under the impression that they were used for some kind of a filtration system. This is a total assumption on my part. :-/ Thanks for your knowledge on this. So all I should worry about is good water movement in the tank? I always thought there was more to it then that. Guess that is why I always had freshwater tanks.

 

In my belief also, one of the key factors to good quality water is a good water flow, good skimmer, and a refugium.

 

Is this what you have Turbo:
Ocean Homes Etc.
Do you have a good picture of yours?

 

Jason, hit it right on the head as usual
My sump / refugium is a 20 long all glass aquarium that I paid $40.00 for.
I had the local hardware store cut some glass for me $8.00. Then I put the glass pieces in with 100% pure silicone. It is sectioned off so that I have an area for the return line to go into. A larger area for macro algae to help remove nitrates and phosphates. A small area for a sponge to keep the Algae and other floaties from entering the area where I have my mag 7 pump returning the water flow into the main tank.
so the key points are.
Increase the total volume of water
A place to keep my skimmer
A place to grow macro algae
I can also put hurt fish or invertebrates in there to keep the other fish/animals from picking on them and maybe give them a chance to heal.


Jim

 

Here's a link that should help you a lot with sumps.

Melevsreef.com - Welcome!

 

I just figured there was more to them then that. Just stamp new-be to my forhead.

 

Your giving us more credit than we deserve LOL

We have given you an very simplified answer but if you think about it. Getting a heater out of the display tank, that is a huge eye sore hidden
Not having the intake and output of a skimmer in the display, again huge eye sore gone.
Plus there are a lot more options in heaters, skimmers, UV sterilizers etc. that are designed for in sump or External, or hang on. (no one said you couldn't hang it on your sump)

Plus my wife will not let me kill anything even nasty crabs that are eating my coral. So were do they go. In the sump.

J

 

I had a nasty crab in my tank and he ate one of my ric mushrooms! I got him out and my other half didnt want me to get rid of him, but I dont have a sump! So, he had a long trek with me on my way to work (couple of hours) which happens to be near a friend I know who has a fish only tank. She accepted the little guy and now he has a new home.

A lot of running around and hassle but I suppose he deserves a chance, and hey, he is doing well!