Are there anything to worry about with sumps.
- Thread starter j-lor
- Start date
Yes. Flooding is a concern if it's designed incorrectly.
You either need 1 way valves so water doesn't run back into the sump through the pipe that goes out of your pump back to the tank when the power shuts off.
Or you need to have enough extra room in the sump for the water that's going to flow in once the power is turned off.
You either need 1 way valves so water doesn't run back into the sump through the pipe that goes out of your pump back to the tank when the power shuts off.
Or you need to have enough extra room in the sump for the water that's going to flow in once the power is turned off.
If you have the proper sized pump, to the proper overflow, it works well.
You should watch for things that might plug overflows, like plants, dead fish, gunk etc.
You must also watch when replacing water that you don't overfill, I add water directly to the sump during water changes .
You should watch for things that might plug overflows, like plants, dead fish, gunk etc.
You must also watch when replacing water that you don't overfill, I add water directly to the sump during water changes .
A check valve (one way) stops water from flowing backward.
If your overflow gets plugged, the pump keeps pumping and the tank can overflow on the floor until the sump runs dry. I have had a dead fish, and plants cause this.
Some pumps have an automatic shutoff if water level gets low.
If your overflow gets plugged, the pump keeps pumping and the tank can overflow on the floor until the sump runs dry. I have had a dead fish, and plants cause this.
Some pumps have an automatic shutoff if water level gets low.
i have a 180 gallon tank with a 55 gallon sump. works awesome.
Little ****ty drawing to eeze your worries
Top box is 180 and bottom one is 55.
Grey is overflow box and piping running down to 55. The 55 is filled half full so that if the pump shuts off the tank will drain into the 55 until the overflow stops but the 55 wont over flow.
Pink is pump pumping water back to tank
orange is filter **** lol
you can go way more in depth with the sump but mines simple i guess-the pump just has to pump more gph then the overflow box and and you have to compensate for the puump shutting off in the 55 so i would use a bigger tank then a 30 for a sump on a 180
Little ****ty drawing to eeze your worries
Top box is 180 and bottom one is 55.
Grey is overflow box and piping running down to 55. The 55 is filled half full so that if the pump shuts off the tank will drain into the 55 until the overflow stops but the 55 wont over flow.
Pink is pump pumping water back to tank
orange is filter **** lol
you can go way more in depth with the sump but mines simple i guess-the pump just has to pump more gph then the overflow box and and you have to compensate for the puump shutting off in the 55 so i would use a bigger tank then a 30 for a sump on a 180
another important thing: if you have a heater in your sump and it runs dry, you might have a fire on your hands.
it happened to me while i was away for a two weeks for work.
it happened to me while i was away for a two weeks for work.
It may seem a bit complicated, but the benefits are many.
I hide all hardware in the sump, heaters, filter socks and pumps.
I lay heaters on the bottom of the sump, because even if an overflow gets plugged, an inch or 2 of water remains in the sump.
I use 1200=1800gph hour pumps, so my flow is much greater than any canister I've found.
Maintenance such as cleaning filter socks is fast and easy, thus is done much more often.
Because water is sent to the sump during water changes, less chance of fish getting shocked by any change in temp, or oxygen saturation embolism.
And sumps are a great place for an injured or bullied fish, or grow out fry.
I prefer 40 gals and up for sumps
, although a 20 can be used.
You must check it daily if small like a 20, for evaporation can bring the level down fast in warm weather.
I hide all hardware in the sump, heaters, filter socks and pumps.
I lay heaters on the bottom of the sump, because even if an overflow gets plugged, an inch or 2 of water remains in the sump.
I use 1200=1800gph hour pumps, so my flow is much greater than any canister I've found.
Maintenance such as cleaning filter socks is fast and easy, thus is done much more often.
Because water is sent to the sump during water changes, less chance of fish getting shocked by any change in temp, or oxygen saturation embolism.
And sumps are a great place for an injured or bullied fish, or grow out fry.
I prefer 40 gals and up for sumps
, although a 20 can be used.
You must check it daily if small like a 20, for evaporation can bring the level down fast in warm weather.
I was quite unsure about setting up a sump, especially when having 2 fx5's. But after a lot of research I decided to go for it. Now, I doubt I would ever go back to an external. I have space for a LOT more media, space to hide my heater and pump, two compartments for injured and sick fish, it has increased the volume of water in circulation. Because the water flow over the heater the tanks temp is more stable - reducing electricity. There is only one pump - reducing electricity. I no longer have a airstone as the flow through the sump oxygenates the water more than any airstone ever would. Also, the maintenance is a million times easier, faster and cleaner.
The pro's are endless. If setup correctly.
As for the cons. There are very few provided it is set up properly and to your needs. Evapouration tends to happen faster than it would in a canister and there is always the possibility of a flood (if incorrectly setup). For me - I don't have an emergency drain as It would have set back the build and cost a lot to fit one. So instead I used a pump which shut if automatically in the case low water.
I will try get some pics up to show my setup. But I would recommend a sump to anyone vs a canister.
The pro's are endless. If setup correctly.
As for the cons. There are very few provided it is set up properly and to your needs. Evapouration tends to happen faster than it would in a canister and there is always the possibility of a flood (if incorrectly setup). For me - I don't have an emergency drain as It would have set back the build and cost a lot to fit one. So instead I used a pump which shut if automatically in the case low water.
I will try get some pics up to show my setup. But I would recommend a sump to anyone vs a canister.