What to put in a sump

wyatt322 · 07/04/2008, 12:44 PM

I'm up-grading to a 55 gallon tank with a sump. It was a display tank from a shop and I saw it with amazing corals etc so I know I have a good set up. However, what I'm unsure of, is what to put in the sump? I tried to ask the owner but he does not speak English (i live in Thailand).

I know I need live rock and a protein skimmer in the sump.

Should i put sand in it? Do I need sand? I will have a deep sand bed in my main tank.

What about bio balls? I know they can become a nitrate factory. Should I put my bio balls from my old 30 gallon in the sump for a month or two to help with the cycle.

Also, any comments on crushed coral?

Thanks guys

sassafrass · 07/04/2008, 01:02 PM

You should put a skimmer ,heater , any reactors or mechanical filtration you don't need live rock in your sump or sand basicly it is designed to increase your water volume and put things you wouldn't want in your display
Lee

Playa-1 · 07/04/2008, 01:27 PM

Maybe you should make it a sump fuge in which case it would be a gr8 place to put:
Protein Skimmer
Heater
Media reactors (carbon and/or Phosphate media)
Return Pump
Macro Algae and Lighting to support it.
Bubble Traps
Part-time filter sock

snorvich · 07/04/2008, 03:52 PM

That is a cool diagram and a good idea!

Playa-1 · 07/04/2008, 04:34 PM

I can't take credit for the design but I did the cheezy diagram

Thanks...

Acillaton · 07/04/2008, 06:29 PM

Skimmer, heaters, chiller, and forget about those bio balls. They are nitrite factory.

07/04/2008, 12:44 PM	#1
wyatt322 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangkok Posts: 21	What to put in a sump I'm up-grading to a 55 gallon tank with a sump. It was a display tank from a shop and I saw it with amazing corals etc so I know I have a good set up. However, what I'm unsure of, is what to put in the sump? I tried to ask the owner but he does not speak English (i live in Thailand). I know I need live rock and a protein skimmer in the sump. Should i put sand in it? Do I need sand? I will have a deep sand bed in my main tank. What about bio balls? I know they can become a nitrate factory. Should I put my bio balls from my old 30 gallon in the sump for a month or two to help with the cycle. Also, any comments on crushed coral? Thanks guys

07/04/2008, 03:52 PM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	That is a cool diagram and a good idea! __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

07/04/2008, 01:02 PM	#2
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	You should put a skimmer ,heater , any reactors or mechanical filtration you don't need live rock in your sump or sand basicly it is designed to increase your water volume and put things you wouldn't want in your display Lee

07/04/2008, 01:27 PM	#3
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Maybe you should make it a sump fuge in which case it would be a gr8 place to put: Protein Skimmer Heater Media reactors (carbon and/or Phosphate media) Return Pump Macro Algae and Lighting to support it. Bubble Traps Part-time filter sock

07/04/2008, 04:34 PM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I can't take credit for the design but I did the cheezy diagram Thanks...

07/04/2008, 06:29 PM	#6
Acillaton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: CT Posts: 430	Skimmer, heaters, chiller, and forget about those bio balls. They are nitrite factory.