Sump

[elisuwe]

Can someone explain sumps to me? Nooby question i know but ive always ran externals... Does the sump have to be under the tank or can i run a sump next to the tank? Also how large a sump would i need for 150 gallon? Do they preform better than externals? And do you need to drill holes? Sorry about all the questions but really like the idea of a sump! Thanks for any replys

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[Livinviggen]

Sumps are great. I actually have a 150 with a 30 gallon sump. Im going to start out by saying I have had hob and canister filters for the longest time. I just built my first sump and it works great. It was very affordable. To my knowledge the sump should be underneath the tank but technically does not have to be. Same answer for the drilling question. Drilling is better but not needed. You can have an siphon overflow box that can hang on the back side or front of the tank technically. An overflow box would be needed to have the sump next to the tank. But i would recommend drilling or purchasing a drilled or reef ready tank. A drilled tank allows you to have a sump without needing a hang on back overflow box. This in my opinion is the best setup because it is less likely to have a very wet problem. Check out this thread http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...-see-what-s-in-your-stand!-mechanical-photo-s for some ideas and tips. You can also youtube sump and find many helpful videos. It is a very easy project that is fun as well. If you have any questions reply to this post I will subscribe.

 

[elisuwe]

Ill let you know!

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[DIDYSIS]

They can be just as good and better. Main reasons they can be better is they are larger and have more room and volume. If you could have a canister filter with a 5000gph pump and 6 feet tall that would be a Sweet filter. But would cost you thousands. Sumps work well as long as they are setup properly and maintained just like a good canister. Sumps can be overwhelming if you have never done one before. And that's the thing also you have to drill the tank setup all the plumbing have a pump to run it all possible buy or setup overflows. All costs money.

 

[Kujiraya]

Does the sump have to be under the tank or can i run a sump next to the tank?

Sump = low space where dirty water collects. So DIY non-sealed, non-pressurized filter underneath tank - we call this sump filter.
Of course, can have DIY non-sealed, non-pressurized filter next to tank. But these not called sump filters because they are not "low" space. These designs same as DIY flow-through filter chambers for koi ponds.

Also how large a sump would i need for 150 gallon?

As large as possible! Suggest minimum 1/4 of main tank.

Do they preform better than externals?

Sump filter >>> Canister filter. I mean, really, really, really! Total ownage, if adding K1 moving-bed and wet/dry options!!!

But note, because sump filter skims off water from water surface, it may not suck up dirt from tank bottom! So, either manually siphon tank bottom every 2 to 3 days when doing water changes, or recommend 2 x extra HOB filters, one at each end of fish tank, with intake tubes placed as low as possible to suck up dirt from bottom of tank. Of course, still need water changes every 2 to 3 days, just no need to siphon tank bottom when doing it!

 

[ElectricBlueSeanBurch]

Sump = low space where dirty water collects. So DIY non-sealed, non-pressurized filter underneath tank - we call this sump filter.
Of course, can have DIY non-sealed, non-pressurized filter next to tank. But these not called sump filters because they are not "low" space. These designs same as DIY flow-through filter chambers for koi ponds.


As large as possible! Suggest minimum 1/4 of main tank.


Sump filter >>> Canister filter. I mean, really, really, really! Total ownage, if adding K1 moving-bed and wet/dry options!!!

But note, because sump filter skims off water from water surface, it may not suck up dirt from tank bottom! So, either manually siphon tank bottom every 2 to 3 days when doing water changes, or recommend 2 x extra HOB filters, one at each end of fish tank, with intake tubes placed as low as possible to suck up dirt from bottom of tank. Of course, still need water changes every 2 to 3 days, just no need to siphon tank bottom when doing it!

I really wish I had the time to correct this advise. Hopefully someone will while I'm working...

 

[duanes]

A sump can be next to the main tank. I use an overflow box into a neighboring sump,

because my cichlids destroyed plants, and as plants use nitrates, hence the sump is planted.

But you may need to make/build a compartment for the pump, to keep plant parts out. The pic below is during a water change, that's why water is low.

or add another sump below tank for hardware. This is a 20 gal, the planted is a 40 gal. This was added later, and uses the same pump.
The planted sump now drains into the hardware sump.

almost anything can be a sump, I have a tank outside in the yard, a 50 gal tank, which uses a 900 gal pond as its sump.

 

[Livinviggen]

This is my DIY sump and it works great

 

[FuriousFish]

I have a 55 gallon sump for my 210!

 

[jerzy]

i love sumps heres a few pics of mine also with drilled tanks you can just use 1" pvc as your drain