To sump or not to sump.

zhoey · 08/08/2010, 10:38 AM

So I'm a newb. Just get that out of the way right now.

I'm taking my slow steady time getting into this hobby which is taking an immense amount of will power. I'm starting with a 40 gallon breeder because it's not ginormously huge and it's not terribly small either. I've heard it could be easier to manage the water in a slightly larger tank. But before I get any water in it or start anything really, I'm debating a sump. I'm trying to read everything I can find on the things and I agree with the usefulness. But do I reallly need one? My tank with be reef and fish. I'm not planning on anything terribly difficult.. baby steps. But before I do.. to sump or not to sump? I'd appreciate any feedback! Thanks so much!

Sugar Magnolia · 08/08/2010, 10:43 AM

For the sake of simplicity, no sump.

I had a sump on my 30g cube for a few months but was constatly having to fuss with things so I took it off. Sure, the extra water volume a sump will provide gives you some wiggle room as far as parameter stability goes, but it's not really necessary. Keeping on top of your water changes will take care of that as well. Just my opinion as a sumpless reefer.

Palting · 08/08/2010, 11:28 AM

The key phrase is "really need". The answer is relative and personal. From a strictly impersonal standpoint, the answer is no, as proven by several reefers. Plus, you can always add it later. If, as you say, you've done a lot of reading, then you know all the advantages of having a sump. Whether these advantages are "really needed" is up to you.

BTW, WELCOME!!

chimmike · 08/08/2010, 12:12 PM

I'd do the sump. Easier to drill the tank now and add it than doing it later!

mutateddogbone · 08/08/2010, 12:25 PM

its nice having a sump to hide all your equiptment and pumps, just a cleaner look in the display

ta_billy · 08/08/2010, 12:30 PM

OK, you could drill now...really a 40 breeder, drilling it. Nah. You will want something bigger once you get your "sea legs". Here's a couple of cool options to enhance your breeder:

1. Buy a tunze reefpack which will surface skim the water and I'm impressed with the little skimmer. See below link.

http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C..._tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter007

2. You could also also add a hang-on refugium to the back side of the tank which gives you the ability to do a couple of different things like a deep sand bed, algae scrubber, etc. Just do a Google search for an Aquafuge.

Once you have fun with this little tank you can always bump up to something bigger that is pre-drilled...and you will know more and can plan.

There's my two cents...

Matt Dean · 08/08/2010, 12:39 PM

Well, I had a 46 without a sump and I was very disappointed noone told me to do one. I hate the look of everything hanging off the back and I would have loved the extra volume to help with the water parameters. If you plan on having this tank for a period of time, I would suggest it. If you just want to get your feet wet (pun intended) then keep it simple and upgraded in a few months (that;s what I did, 4 months later and I tripled the size of my system!)

Crustman · 08/08/2010, 02:07 PM

Sump yes! Need place for your carbon and GFO reactor. Can also add kalk stirrer and filter sock. Place for large protein skimmer. Additives can easily be added in the sump for mixing before return. Get drilled tank with with baffle and overflow. Any power outages, no flooding because water goes in sump.

TellyFish · 08/08/2010, 02:57 PM

As others have mentioned, a sump makes everything MUCH easier.

rayn · 08/08/2010, 06:34 PM

Sump depends on your patience level lol. If you want your tank started NOW, then go sumpless and add one later with a HOB overflow. If you want the clean neat look, then go with the sump now. Look into all the stuff you CAN have for your tank. Filter, skimmer, GFO reactor, refugium, heaters, lights, powerheads. I think all but two of those could move to a sump and really clean up the display tank. If your the I want it now, but don't have the time for a sump, look for the type of skimmer that will work both HOB and in a sump as you can move it later. It is mainly personel preference what you want to spend and look at.
I will add that if you are going to go with the sump, drill. Much cleaner then having the HOB overflow. I have both running now and prefer the drill look.

muttley000 · 08/08/2010, 06:42 PM

Another vote for a sump here. You could start out without, and then use the 40B as a sump for the 90 or 120 you are going to want very soon!

Canadian Reefer · 08/08/2010, 08:28 PM

Sump it. life is easier that way IMHO. Everything is hidden and water changes are a snap just have an extra hose with a valve on it coming from your return pump and you can fill a 5gal bucket in no time.

zhoey · 08/09/2010, 10:10 AM

Thanks everyone! All that advice was incredibly helpful! I think I may stay sumpless for the moment but the idea of using the 40B for a sump later on something bigger is a really smart idea! Time to go shopping.

DeepSeaBeauti · 08/09/2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhoey

Thanks everyone! All that advice was incredibly helpful! I think I may stay sumpless for the moment but the idea of using the 40B for a sump later on something bigger is a really smart idea! Time to go shopping.

I like the way you think.

thegrun · 08/09/2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zhoey

Thanks everyone! All that advice was incredibly helpful! I think I may stay sumpless for the moment but the idea of using the 40B for a sump later on something bigger is a really smart idea! Time to go shopping.

Then you can use that tank as the sump for the big tank you wanted all along...

moevilla · 08/09/2010, 01:38 PM

Sump is great if it's not under the display. Always had a pain with mine due to the space constraints. Next build will be sumpless 100g shallow reef!

kichimark · 08/09/2010, 01:50 PM

I don't have a sump on my 90 gallon reef. The only real down side I see is having a hob fuge and skimmer in view in the display (pumps) which could be hidden in the sump so it gives a little eye sore.

Uncle Salty 05 · 08/09/2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutateddogbone

its nice having a sump to hide all your equiptment and pumps, just a cleaner look in the display

+1

cdeboard · 08/09/2010, 02:15 PM

I wouldnt run without a sump personally. Unless it was like a 10g or so.

Patrick Cox · 10/08/2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutateddogbone

its nice having a sump to hide all your equiptment and pumps, just a cleaner look in the display

Hi,
I am considering a sump and trying to decide how much I can actually hide. I have a 36G tank with a canister filter. In the tank now I have a power head, heater and an intake and output from the canister filter. So let's say I dump the canister in favor of a sump. I will get rid of my intake and output to and from the canister. But I will need to add an overflow box and then an output from the sump to the DT. Now, since my sump will only be about 10G, can I really move my heater to the sump and effectively keep the DT at the correct temperature? Not sure, but assuming I can, then I think I have only gotten rid of my heater from the DT. So, what am I missing?

Thanks!
Pat

Agu · 10/08/2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeboard

I wouldnt run without a sump personally. Unless it was like a 10g or so.

I have a sump under a ten gallon

. Sumps make reef keeping easier and can hide a lot of equipment, but they're not necessary to be successful.

LakeShow · 10/08/2010, 05:57 PM

Another vote for the sump, i was in your shoes about 6 months ago setting up my first 50g tank. I ended up not going with a sump, and now after getting more familiar with the hobby, i really wish i went with one from the beginning.

I am now adding one to the tank, which would of been much much easier to do before everything was set up, also would of saved me a lot of money that i spent on HoB stuff.

Go with a sump!

ahud · 10/08/2010, 09:54 PM

I was planning on starting a sumpless system for about one week....did not take long to see how much the benefits over weigh the aggravation.

A lot of people prefer smaller tanks, I think 40 breeders are the perfect size for a smaller reef. I am planing one right now as well.

batdisciple · 10/08/2010, 10:10 PM

yes dude please get sump! i used to hate them, i was all about canisters but now i realize the truth sumps are just better im a bit tipsy from being out with friends so i wont write much but please get sump!

bmiller1234 · 10/09/2010, 07:12 AM

I would def go sump but if you decide to not go sump right now, still drill the tank and add bulkheads with caps. This way if you do go sump before an upgrade all you have to do is drain a little water and hook up plumbing instead of tearing down tank or dealing with an overflow box.

08/08/2010, 10:38 AM	#1
zhoey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	To sump or not to sump. So I'm a newb. Just get that out of the way right now. I'm taking my slow steady time getting into this hobby which is taking an immense amount of will power. I'm starting with a 40 gallon breeder because it's not ginormously huge and it's not terribly small either. I've heard it could be easier to manage the water in a slightly larger tank. But before I get any water in it or start anything really, I'm debating a sump. I'm trying to read everything I can find on the things and I agree with the usefulness. But do I reallly need one? My tank with be reef and fish. I'm not planning on anything terribly difficult.. baby steps. But before I do.. to sump or not to sump? I'd appreciate any feedback! Thanks so much!

08/08/2010, 10:43 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	For the sake of simplicity, no sump. I had a sump on my 30g cube for a few months but was constatly having to fuss with things so I took it off. Sure, the extra water volume a sump will provide gives you some wiggle room as far as parameter stability goes, but it's not really necessary. Keeping on top of your water changes will take care of that as well. Just my opinion as a sumpless reefer. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

08/08/2010, 11:28 AM	#3
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	The key phrase is "really need". The answer is relative and personal. From a strictly impersonal standpoint, the answer is no, as proven by several reefers. Plus, you can always add it later. If, as you say, you've done a lot of reading, then you know all the advantages of having a sump. Whether these advantages are "really needed" is up to you. BTW, WELCOME!! __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

08/08/2010, 12:12 PM	#4
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	I'd do the sump. Easier to drill the tank now and add it than doing it later! __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

08/08/2010, 12:25 PM	#5
mutateddogbone Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 1,016	its nice having a sump to hide all your equiptment and pumps, just a cleaner look in the display __________________ 2013 Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society - President An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure Current Tank Info: 75g braceless SPS dominated w/ 50g Frag Tank

08/08/2010, 12:30 PM	#6
ta_billy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 88	OK, you could drill now...really a 40 breeder, drilling it. Nah. You will want something bigger once you get your "sea legs". Here's a couple of cool options to enhance your breeder: 1. Buy a tunze reefpack which will surface skim the water and I'm impressed with the little skimmer. See below link. http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C..._tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter007 2. You could also also add a hang-on refugium to the back side of the tank which gives you the ability to do a couple of different things like a deep sand bed, algae scrubber, etc. Just do a Google search for an Aquafuge. Once you have fun with this little tank you can always bump up to something bigger that is pre-drilled...and you will know more and can plan. There's my two cents...

08/08/2010, 12:39 PM	#7
Matt Dean I don't like wet hands! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 555	Well, I had a 46 without a sump and I was very disappointed noone told me to do one. I hate the look of everything hanging off the back and I would have loved the extra volume to help with the water parameters. If you plan on having this tank for a period of time, I would suggest it. If you just want to get your feet wet (pun intended) then keep it simple and upgraded in a few months (that;s what I did, 4 months later and I tripled the size of my system!)

08/08/2010, 02:07 PM	#8
Crustman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 941	Sump yes! Need place for your carbon and GFO reactor. Can also add kalk stirrer and filter sock. Place for large protein skimmer. Additives can easily be added in the sump for mixing before return. Get drilled tank with with baffle and overflow. Any power outages, no flooding because water goes in sump. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: 65 gallon reef with 8 T-5's, ATI Blue Plus, Blue Special, KZ Fiji Purple, Vertex IN 100, phosphate and carbon reactor Coralife Turbo Sea Pump

08/08/2010, 02:57 PM	#9
TellyFish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago 60607 Posts: 1,130	As others have mentioned, a sump makes everything MUCH easier. __________________ ...and life spirals into astonishing diversity. Current Tank Info: Hawaiian inspired 109g Miracles Rimless - 100g Prop Tank - 300g total system volume

08/08/2010, 06:34 PM	#10
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	Sump depends on your patience level lol. If you want your tank started NOW, then go sumpless and add one later with a HOB overflow. If you want the clean neat look, then go with the sump now. Look into all the stuff you CAN have for your tank. Filter, skimmer, GFO reactor, refugium, heaters, lights, powerheads. I think all but two of those could move to a sump and really clean up the display tank. If your the I want it now, but don't have the time for a sump, look for the type of skimmer that will work both HOB and in a sump as you can move it later. It is mainly personel preference what you want to spend and look at. I will add that if you are going to go with the sump, drill. Much cleaner then having the HOB overflow. I have both running now and prefer the drill look. __________________ Currently changing, stay tuned for new details...

08/08/2010, 06:42 PM	#11
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	Another vote for a sump here. You could start out without, and then use the 40B as a sump for the 90 or 120 you are going to want very soon! __________________ Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon! Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!

08/08/2010, 08:28 PM	#12
Canadian Reefer Reefer Madness Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 261	Sump it. life is easier that way IMHO. Everything is hidden and water changes are a snap just have an extra hose with a valve on it coming from your return pump and you can fill a 5gal bucket in no time. __________________ Reefing can't be an addiction, I don't smoke it or drink it. I just need it to be happy!

08/09/2010, 10:10 AM	#13
zhoey Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	Thanks everyone! All that advice was incredibly helpful! I think I may stay sumpless for the moment but the idea of using the 40B for a sump later on something bigger is a really smart idea! Time to go shopping.

08/09/2010, 01:38 PM	#16
moevilla IRS Benefactor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Aurora CO Posts: 387	Sump is great if it's not under the display. Always had a pain with mine due to the space constraints. Next build will be sumpless 100g shallow reef! __________________ It's never too late to become what you could have been...

08/09/2010, 01:50 PM	#17
kichimark Μολὼν λαβέ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SFV, S. California Posts: 1,304	I don't have a sump on my 90 gallon reef. The only real down side I see is having a hob fuge and skimmer in view in the display (pumps) which could be hidden in the sump so it gives a little eye sore.

08/09/2010, 02:15 PM	#19
cdeboard Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Grayson, KY Posts: 520	I wouldnt run without a sump personally. Unless it was like a 10g or so. __________________ CVRC Current Tank Info: 90g

10/08/2010, 05:57 PM	#22
LakeShow Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 82	Another vote for the sump, i was in your shoes about 6 months ago setting up my first 50g tank. I ended up not going with a sump, and now after getting more familiar with the hobby, i really wish i went with one from the beginning. I am now adding one to the tank, which would of been much much easier to do before everything was set up, also would of saved me a lot of money that i spent on HoB stuff. Go with a sump!

10/08/2010, 09:54 PM	#23
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	I was planning on starting a sumpless system for about one week....did not take long to see how much the benefits over weigh the aggravation. A lot of people prefer smaller tanks, I think 40 breeders are the perfect size for a smaller reef. I am planing one right now as well.

10/08/2010, 10:10 PM	#24
batdisciple Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: miami/kendall/cutler bay Posts: 34	yes dude please get sump! i used to hate them, i was all about canisters but now i realize the truth sumps are just better im a bit tipsy from being out with friends so i wont write much but please get sump! __________________ I'M PEE WEEE! Current Tank Info: 72 gallon indo-pacific reef/

10/09/2010, 07:12 AM	#25
bmiller1234 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cranberry TWP PA Posts: 802	I would def go sump but if you decide to not go sump right now, still drill the tank and add bulkheads with caps. This way if you do go sump before an upgrade all you have to do is drain a little water and hook up plumbing instead of tearing down tank or dealing with an overflow box. __________________ Brian Am I hallucinating here? Just what in the hell do you think you're doing?

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