Sump question

[chris tissot]

Hello,
My friend recently disbanded his fish tank, and he had a sump with bio balls. He asked me if I wanted it, and I'm not sure. I KINDA understand the concept of a sump, but not really. Would it be worth it for me to use the sump (I have room) Are the bio balls necesssary. I hear people talk about putting plant life in the sump and other things. Could someone please explain the sump to me in detail?
Thanks,
Chris

 

[reefer75]

Well, the sump in general is just a tank, or tub that is used to collect, and return water to the tank. This is also a good place to put heaters, and filtration instead of your main tank. In order to use this tank as a refugium, you will need to add baffles, to seperate things. Usually 3 sections. Where as a sump can just be a 20 gal fish tank, or whatever you have room for.

 

[chris tissot]

ok..there are 3 sections i've seen the sump today.....so how do i start this, i know how to set it up as far as waterflow, etc....but what goes in it...also do i need lighting...because i plan on putting it under my stand....

 

[earlybird]

Can you get a picture? 3 sections tells me it is equipped with a built in fuge which you can have depending on size, a deep sand bed, some rock, and macroalgae. It will be a major positive addition. There are no drawbacks to a sump it will be the best thing you've done for your tank to add one. You'll need a light if you plan to house macroalgae in your fuge.

 

[chris tissot]

like I said im still trying to understand this concept, lol. What is the purpose off having multiple sections in the sump? why not just one section? I will take pictures tonight and post ASAP....

 

[earlybird]

Water comes in one section and rises over and under zig zag baffles which controls and slows the flow in the sump. The baffles are also designed to trap bubbles so that they don't enter the DT at the other end of the sump with a return pump. Depending on size you'll put your skimmer, heater, and any other equipment that will fit. If it's the kind of sump I'm thinking of the middle section should be used as a refugium which serves different purposes to different people. Most refugiums have a deep sand bed which helps reduce nitrates. The even have some live rock rubble so to help produce pods and more biofilter. Some use their fuge to grow pods which get sucked through the return pump and back to DT to feed the fish and they are great cleaners. Chaeto is a good choice of macroalgae and is put in the fuge. It will grow like mad under right lighting conditions and will help to further reduce nitrates and phosphates. It is also a place wher pods, brittlestars, bristleworms, and other beneficial critters live. If it grows fast enough you can sell it or trade it. Some throw nusiance species/hitchhikers in their sump/fuge so that they can live and not bother fish, corals, or other livestock. However, this sometimes negates the purpose of using the fuge to grow pods depending on if there's something down ther eating them. A recent trend is to house xenia in the fuge which people believe to be nutrient exporters as they tend to do better in less than perfect water quality.
Winded but I think I covered everything.
Here's an example of what I'm talking about.

 

[chris tissot]

you did an excellent job, thank you. Couple more questions, does it matter where in the sump I put my skimmer,etc. Also, what kind of lighting do I need for this, I really dont want to spend a lot more $$ on another lighting system

 

[earlybird]

Put the skimmer where it will fit. Best to keep it out of the fuge if you have the space. Lighting ranges from a simple clamp on light with a 6500 flourescent bulb, to lights meant for sumps or smaller tanks. There's a lot out there.