At What Point do You Need a Sump?

Falconeer · 11/08/2009, 10:17 PM

Basically, the title says it all.

I'm (this week) setting up my first SW tank at home (not the first that I have experience with though) and it'll be a 10 gallon tank (because of size limitations). Now, I really don't want to have a sump (again, because of space issues) but the idea of having a 2.5 gallon tank, or even a 5 gallon tank serve as a sump popped into my head.

I'm not planning on having a sump, as I'm not that worried about asthetics just yet. However, I was wondering, at what point does a sump become neccesary?

jflick345 · 11/08/2009, 10:31 PM

I would say when the amount of equipment you need in the DT becomes a pain or just ugly in the tank. Also, depending on your lighting choice the added water volume would be nice to help with evap

Falconeer · 11/08/2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jflick345

I would say when the amount of equipment you need in the DT becomes a pain or just ugly in the tank. Also, depending on your lighting choice the added water volume would be nice to help with evap

Ok. As a base (with, lets say PC lighting), would you say 20 gallons would be the point at which you would want to consider a sump?

These questions are solely driven by curiousity right now, not neccesity.

jflick345 · 11/08/2009, 10:42 PM

In all honesty, right now I have a 12g nanocube dx and the only pieces of "equipment" I have for it are the built in lights and a return pump and heater in the back sections. All I do is water changes and top off plus I have a bag of carbon in back overflow. Right now I have a CUC, a monti cap, 3 ricordea, some palys, and some xenia, all growing and thriving. I think since the bioload is so small I can get away with it but I doubt I would even think about a sump unless I planned on a large bioload or just a bigger tank probably 20+ like you said.

Falconeer · 11/08/2009, 10:52 PM

Ok, I wasn't planning on one for my 10 gallon (I'm not even planning on having anything but maybe a few inverts (A crab, maybe a shrimp, and some snails--possibly a starfish. The starfish I have at school is pretty cool.) for a long time).

Michael · 11/09/2009, 12:43 AM

a sump is purely for hiding equipment, they are very handy for sure, if your not going to use a sump for nutrient control and only to hide equipment then they are not needed, most of us use 1 for convenience and nutrient control, you could manage quite easily without 1, however as the tank is fairly small a canister filter connected to it filled with nothing except water of course would help as the extra water volume would stabilise water temperature and aid water movement, this also isnt needed but a easy way to aid nutrient control as you could also fill it with carbon or a phos removing media

mbl · 11/09/2009, 07:43 AM

sumps alos add volume and a place for water to cool if you have mh. but the solana 34 doesnt have a sump or a good working skimmer and i grew sps just fine . just do weekly water changes.

lordofthereef · 11/09/2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbl

sumps alos add volume and a place for water to cool if you have mh. but the solana 34 doesnt have a sump or a good working skimmer and i grew sps just fine . just do weekly water changes.

+1
Adding a sump to my nano was one of the best things I did IMO. I effectively doubled the water volume in a system that is really easy to get out of whack simply because of that fact that it is so small. Also great place to add a fuge to grown pods and get some extra macro algae nutrient export.

11/08/2009, 10:17 PM	#1
Falconeer Can I get another tank? Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wilmette Posts: 330	At What Point do You Need a Sump? Basically, the title says it all. I'm (this week) setting up my first SW tank at home (not the first that I have experience with though) and it'll be a 10 gallon tank (because of size limitations). Now, I really don't want to have a sump (again, because of space issues) but the idea of having a 2.5 gallon tank, or even a 5 gallon tank serve as a sump popped into my head. I'm not planning on having a sump, as I'm not that worried about asthetics just yet. However, I was wondering, at what point does a sump become neccesary?

11/09/2009, 12:43 AM	#6
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	a sump is purely for hiding equipment, they are very handy for sure, if your not going to use a sump for nutrient control and only to hide equipment then they are not needed, most of us use 1 for convenience and nutrient control, you could manage quite easily without 1, however as the tank is fairly small a canister filter connected to it filled with nothing except water of course would help as the extra water volume would stabilise water temperature and aid water movement, this also isnt needed but a easy way to aid nutrient control as you could also fill it with carbon or a phos removing media __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

11/08/2009, 10:31 PM	#2
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	I would say when the amount of equipment you need in the DT becomes a pain or just ugly in the tank. Also, depending on your lighting choice the added water volume would be nice to help with evap

11/08/2009, 10:42 PM	#4
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	In all honesty, right now I have a 12g nanocube dx and the only pieces of "equipment" I have for it are the built in lights and a return pump and heater in the back sections. All I do is water changes and top off plus I have a bag of carbon in back overflow. Right now I have a CUC, a monti cap, 3 ricordea, some palys, and some xenia, all growing and thriving. I think since the bioload is so small I can get away with it but I doubt I would even think about a sump unless I planned on a large bioload or just a bigger tank probably 20+ like you said.

11/08/2009, 10:52 PM	#5
Falconeer Can I get another tank? Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wilmette Posts: 330	Ok, I wasn't planning on one for my 10 gallon (I'm not even planning on having anything but maybe a few inverts (A crab, maybe a shrimp, and some snails--possibly a starfish. The starfish I have at school is pretty cool.) for a long time).

11/09/2009, 07:43 AM	#7
mbl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 113	sumps alos add volume and a place for water to cool if you have mh. but the solana 34 doesnt have a sump or a good working skimmer and i grew sps just fine . just do weekly water changes.