Sump or no sump, Need Opinions

danb73 · 01/04/2008, 09:37 PM

I have had a 29G tank set up for close to a year now with two clowns and a six line and a few soft corals. From the beginning my goal was to keep the setup simple, easy to maintain, and relatively cheap. I have read all the posts about sumps and understand their benefits but am questioning whether to go that route or not. I have a Coralife Skimmer (65), Aquaclear 500 that I run carbon in when needed and a Koralia 2 for flow. My two main concerns about adding the sump are the problems that I have heard about overflow boxes and problems that could occur with the return pump. I am one of those people that would worry every time I was on vacation the pump would fail and the temp in the tank would drop along with losing the skimmer and return flow. I guess i'm wondering if the benefits would outway the negatives with such a small system. I'm just a newbie but it would appear that it would just add more worry and headaches. Please convince me by giving your opinions.

SuperAWE · 01/04/2008, 09:43 PM

If what you have is working and you like it. Don't change it. If you plan on adding more fish/corals lps/sps then a sump/fuge may be an option.

fambrough · 01/05/2008, 08:23 AM

I felt similarly. However, a properly configured over-flow, sump and return will be problem free. Presumably, you'll need someone to check/feed/top off the tank anyway, while you're on vacation.

Adding a sump was hands down the single best thing I have done for my tank.

Cheers.

01/04/2008, 09:37 PM	#1
danb73 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 64	Sump or no sump, Need Opinions I have had a 29G tank set up for close to a year now with two clowns and a six line and a few soft corals. From the beginning my goal was to keep the setup simple, easy to maintain, and relatively cheap. I have read all the posts about sumps and understand their benefits but am questioning whether to go that route or not. I have a Coralife Skimmer (65), Aquaclear 500 that I run carbon in when needed and a Koralia 2 for flow. My two main concerns about adding the sump are the problems that I have heard about overflow boxes and problems that could occur with the return pump. I am one of those people that would worry every time I was on vacation the pump would fail and the temp in the tank would drop along with losing the skimmer and return flow. I guess i'm wondering if the benefits would outway the negatives with such a small system. I'm just a newbie but it would appear that it would just add more worry and headaches. Please convince me by giving your opinions.

01/05/2008, 08:23 AM	#3
fambrough Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cleveland Heights Posts: 545	I felt similarly. However, a properly configured over-flow, sump and return will be problem free. Presumably, you'll need someone to check/feed/top off the tank anyway, while you're on vacation. Adding a sump was hands down the single best thing I have done for my tank. Cheers. __________________ ...if you get confused, listen to the music play... Current Tank Info: 40 breeder clown/anemone tank; RR 75 mixed corals and fish: radions over both, vortechs; one 37 cube fresh water with ryukin goldfish

01/04/2008, 09:43 PM	#2
SuperAWE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 245	If what you have is working and you like it. Don't change it. If you plan on adding more fish/corals lps/sps then a sump/fuge may be an option.