Whats the purpose of a sump?

Whats the purpose of a sump?

Tom, dont answer this, I know your answer already.

 

I use my sump mostly for keeping all the hardware out of the tank, and increasing water volume in the system.

 

There will be more answers for this then there are needs for the sump its self.. But as was mentioned its a way to add a few more gallons to the system But i see no real benefit to that .
Back when it all just starting out with sumps the theory was its a mixing bowl and if piped properly would agitate and aerate the water a bit better and in the mixing and the water passing by a skimmer at five times or so the total tanks volume then we could size the skimmer and its pump to skim a given amount of DOC ( Dissolved Organic Carbons) waste from the water and it wold skim more efficiently in that all the oils from the fish waste where being removed from the very top inch or so of the aquarium
And also in the falling to the sump like a mini waterfall all the DOC's where being better mixed into the water for the skimmer..

But as with everything some smart person got to thinking more was better and started to add way way over sized skimmer and far to much through the sump flows and as with everything a simple concept was taken and just ran out of control . But that was the premise for the original sumps.

 

Oh, come on Brian...your no fun!
Sumps are good to have...rest my case pros outweigh the cons!!!
Done talking...LOL
By the way, I hope everyone had a nice Easter!!!

 

I agree, the benefits out weigh the cons. I think that when you talk about sumps, you have to include Refugiums though. The main reason I built a sump was so that I could also have a refugium. I think that the increase water volume that comes with a sump may benefit smaller tanks more than larger ones.

 

In theory, refugiums are a good idea. But when you have one in a sump or any small refugium for that matter, and you notice it grows a lot and you thin it out, you're wasting your time. In order for a refugium to be TRULLY beneficial, it needs to have twice the volume of the main tank or similar depending on the bioload. Refugiums take the tank water and turn it into fertilizer for macro's. Well skimming removes the same stuff that the macro's utilize, so that cancels itself out. If you know anything about gardening/aquatic gardening you know it doesnt take much fertilizer to make plants grow, and when it grows so much that you need to thin it out, thats telling you have too much fertilizer.

 

If I was you have a refugium instead... Heres the pourpose of one


One of the relatively new concepts in marine aquarium and reef keeping, but one that has caught on dramatically, is the use of a refugium attached to the main system. As their name implies, refugia provide a protected place where delicate organisms can grow and reproduce, free from predation and harassment from other animals. Many of the organisms which grow in refugia efficiently utilize and process nutrients found in the water column as part of their natural growth processes. Organisms such as feather duster worms, amphipods, copepods, small anemones, and even sponges, provide an amazing natural “filtration” service for the aquarist, and offer the added benefit of providing the system with a supplemental food source through production of plankton and other animals that find their way into the display aquarium. The implementation of refugia into captive displays is almost a “sub-hobby” of its own, and should definitely be explored by hobbyists for its rich potential benefits.

 

Refugiums and skimming compliment each other instead of cancelling each other. You have to thin the refugium to allow for more growth. As the algae grows its removing more nutrients and waste products. Refugiums remove things that skimmers dont, such as phosphates. And yes you need a large refugium to make a significant dent in waste removal. One way to partially circumvent this problem is to use fast growing algae. I use lettuce or Ulva Algae, its fast growing, doesnt go sexual and my tangs love to eat it. Chaetomorpha is nice but its slow growing.
The use of a 30g sump and refugium in my 120g FOWLR tank has lowered my nitrates by 15-20ppm. Thats significant enough for me.