Angelika

Ive come across quite a few posts talking about sumps... can someone please explain what it is, why would one use it, and where does one put it...

thankyou!

Christian Patti

A sump is usually an extra tank or something that's kept under the tank in the stand. You can use it to provide various methods of filtration. Many people make DIY sumps. The purpose of the sump is to increase the total amount of water flowing though your tank to keep water quality optimal. They can also provide filtration.

I'm not saying you should do this but here's an example. You have a 50 gallon tank and want to put about 70 small tetras in there. You could build a 25 gallon or 20 gallon sump to increase your water quantity to 70 gallons. Of course the sump provides increased water quality but it cannot make up for swimming space and hiding places.

Angelika

thankyou for taking the time to answer.... so ..... does it have to be an open additional tank?.... I think I get the idea... now its not a sump that I have but I have a 55 gallon tank, and I have a Rena Filstar xp3 canister filter, which is good for up to a 175 gal tank and that filters up to 350 gal per hour...... I know its not a sump, but it filters the water very well so does that give me more play room with fish stock (not that I want to put in any more fish in the tank as Im really happy with whats in there, any more fish it would look too busy) but as it filters more water an hour than a regular HOB for a 55 gal, would that give me the ability to add more fish than would be normally acceptable to a 55 gal. AGAIN, I have to state I am not planning it, Im only asking a question related to the efficiancy of my filter, compared to a sump system... as my filter is cleaning out my water at 350 gal per hour.

jdhef

I don't think canister would give you the same benefit as the sump. The ammonia gets turned into nitrites and the nitrites get turned into nitates. Your cannister filter does not filter out nitrates, so you get your parts per million based on 55 gallons of water. With the sump, you have an extra volume of water so the nitrates in parts per million are diluted due to the additional water.

So basically, having the sump still gives you 1" of fish per gallon of water, but the water is in two different places.

Christian Patti

Also sumps can provide great aeration if setup correctly. I've never personally had one on my tank but I am considering it.. someday lol

pepetj

Angelika, I use the rule of 10 times the water volume per hour and try to exceed it as filtration goes. It may not be cost-effective in terms of electricity, but it keeps my water cristal clean.

The sump is almost a must for saltwater, but in freshwater it is only worht considering if you are:
a) keeping fish that represent a heavy bio-load (e.g. messy fish like Oscars, or large schools as Christian Patty suggest), or require an extra-mile in filtration (e.g. Discus).
b) if you require equipment that must be installed in-line with a sump (e.g. most chillers)
c) any other needs/uses that I have no idea exist but an expert here will likely let us know about.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Angelika

Thankyou, that makes sense.... no, I dont have any needs, I got more than I can handle.... and my 55 gallon is going to my medspa next week as I think it will be nice there... and I could do with the extra room at home..

pepetj

You have a medspa? like for physical therapy? Your 55 would certainly add to the therapeutic atmosphere!

I'm placing one inside my office too, going to keep some Mbuna in them (might be a distractor during assessment for ADHD patients, but would enhance the psychotherapy ambience).

Are you going to move your Angelfish too? or is he staying home at the 20gal as you move the neons to the 55 as you... set the... fourth tank going into that extra room at homee...

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Angelika

I own a medspa. Im a licensed aesthetician and massage therapist, I also have a massge therapist, a naturopathic physician and currently a reflexologist that lease space within my medispa.. Im also looking for a hypnotherapist and another alternative medicinal therapist to balance out my clinic....

As for my angel, Hannable is going to the medspa, she is happy in the 55 gal, with the hatchets.. I also have a koi angel in the smaller tank and Im waiting for it to grow bigger, when it does, it will go in with Hannable into the 55 gal... along with the hatchets, corys and ottos.....

I will PM you versus chatting about 'not fish stuff' on the board as Im interested in your line of work...