Sump and stocking levels

[yhbae01]

Hi guys,

I am going to say up front that I have no experience in sumps. Every single aquarium I had in the past used either power, sponge or canister filters.

I am looking into adding support for sumps in AqAdvisor application.

Now I am wondering how sumps affect the overall stocking levels.

Take this simple example:

Setup 1:
- 125g tank
- two FX5 canisters

Setup 2:
- 125g tank
- 125g sump

Lets say you managed to create the equivalent filtration capacity of two FX5s using 125g sump.

What about the stocking level? Am I dealing with basically a tank that is twice as big but half of it blocked out using a divider? i.e. Can I add twice as many fish into Setup2 (compare to Setup 1) as long as space is not an issue for the species? (which is a different problem altogether)

Appreciate some feedback.

 

[TheCanuck]

well even 1 fx5 is overkill on a 125.

It really depends on your sump and how it is created. If you ran one that had filter socks, large media space, bubble catcher, and wet/dry (with fuge as well) it could never be beat. A customized sump/wetdry (if you can do both it cant be beat) is your best answer for the requirements you need out of your filtration.

Stocking ideas amount, tank size, sump size, and feeding habbits would be a little better to advise more specifically. But if your jsut doing africans its a waste lol, get some real fish!!

So if you think you can beat an fx5 design do it... i know i did....

 

[yhbae01]

well even 1 fx5 is overkill on a 125.

Ok, so that's probably true. But the point was not about whether FX5 will do the job but about creating a sump that would have the equivalent capacity so that we can throw the filtration part of the equation out of the window and focus on the stocking area.

It really depends on your sump and how it is created. If you ran one that had filter socks, large media space, bubble catcher, and wet/dry (with fuge as well) it could never be beat. A customized sump/wetdry (if you can do both it cant be beat) is your best answer for the requirements you need out of your filtration.

Yes I believe these are good ideas to improve the filtration capacities of the sump which I will need to get into as well.

Stocking ideas amount, tank size, sump size, and feeding habbits would be a little better to advise more specifically. But if your jsut doing africans its a waste lol, get some real fish!!

So if you think you can beat an fx5 design do it... i know i did....

Again, that was not the point of this question.

 

[Toby_H]

In short... the answer to your question is yes...

If your fish produce 2ppm of ammonia per day in a 125 gal tank... the same fish will produce 1 ppm of ammonia per day in a 125 gal tank with a 125 gal sump...

We must remember, "ppm" (parts per million) is a measurement of 'concentration', not a 'volume'...

The solution to pollution is dilution... and using a huge sump is definitely dillution!


Just keep in mind that aggression limits stocking just as much as water quality. I knmow you mentioned that concern but I wanted to repeat it for others whho are following along

 

[Just Toby]

2 FX5s (assuming for africans) is totally fine, your challenge is Nitrate and that is water change territory assuming low nitrate in the tap.

The advantages of the sump IMO are easy change of media, high gas exchange and easy addition of trickle towers, ion exchange resins and ease of hiding hardware. PLUS you get much more water capacity.

I have kept africans for years, it is easy to break down the constant ammonia production using any filter and then water change to dilute the nitrates.

Sorry if I have missed your point but I think I am answering your question?

 

[yhbae01]

Thanks for the responses guys.

So in summary, having sumps do allow more stocking of fish as long as the space issue is not present.

 

[Just Toby]

In short... the answer to your question is yes...

If your fish produce 2ppm of ammonia per day in a 125 gal tank... the same fish will produce 1 ppm of ammonia per day in a 125 gal tank with a 125 gal sump...

We must remember, "ppm" (parts per million) is a measurement of 'concentration', not a 'volume'...

The solution to pollution is dilution... and using a huge sump is definitely dillution!


Just keep in mind that aggression limits stocking just as much as water quality. I knmow you mentioned that concern but I wanted to repeat it for others whho are following along

This is quite simply one of the best posts I have read so far on this forum - clear, concise and insighful!