Explain The Sump System To Me.....

[Big_eyes]

I understand that with a sump system the water flows through and back up into the main tank (ie. I aint that stupid ) but does this remove the need for a powered filter?

I saw pics of a tropical tank with a sump and couldn't spot any evidence of filtering anywhere

So what is/are the benefits of sumping?

Are there any downfalls with it other than space?

etc...

 

[GAB99]

usually sumps are for really really big feshwater and the tanks in saltwater

 

[Big_eyes]

usually sumps are for really really big feshwater and the tanks in saltwater

Why though? what do they do?

 

[VaegaVic]

I do believe they act like massive bio-filters. If you take what goes on in your filter and expand it. Basically it's like a massive external filter but just move the internal workings into a small sized tank.

 

[Bebobb]

If I recall correctly, I remember my aquarium club talking about sumps one time. One of the people said that they have filter media in one of their sumps. In my mind, I view a sump as a huge external filter. Larger than a canister filter. I have never used one, so I can't tell you all of the particulars on how they work...

 

[Big_eyes]

So my observations were correct then, you don't need a filter if you have a sump system going on..........

It's an interesting thing and I like the idea of it but I would like to know more.........anyone?

 

[VaegaVic]

You still need powerheads of some sort in order to push the water around, and a #41#### decent powerful one at that.

Basically, take an external filter, attach power heads onto the end of either hose and you've got a sump. That's the basic idea of it.

There are alot of ways to make home made ones as well, but they can go horribly wrong if not done correctly.

 

[england]

It helps to pass alot more water per hour,alot more filter mass is also possible and hiding all heaters etc in the sump,leaving all tank for space for fish,also a good place to keep a fish should bullying break out...

hope this link helps exsplain a little
http/saltaquarium.about.com/cs/bcorsettingup/a/aa020298sumps.htm

also this guy has a sump,ask him how it works...
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/317640-my-humble-setup/

 

[bavy2]

HI.....im running a 4ft long 12inch wide 15inch high sump on my 5x2x2 tank....to run a sump you need your tank drilled realy but i have read that you can get some kind of overflow system so your tank dont need drilling.To pump the water back into the main tank i got a ehime 1260 return pump that pumps 2500lph but the water flows out of the tank from a 1.5inch pipe set just below the water level.inside the sump i got sponge from a pond filter and loads and loads of scourers that you clean pots and stuff with LOL......The main advantage of a sump is the media it it much much bigger than any external filter and with the extra water in the sump your tank increases in the amount of fish you can put in your tank.I will say though it is a lot easyer to do water changes as well you just turn off the return pump let the water drain in to the sump from the overflow outlet once that stops i do a gravel clean and replace the water till it reaches the outlet pipe and just turn on the return pump and away it go's EASY AS THAT but thats my opinion some peaple i know have bad times with sumps......what i done was looked on the net for loads of information on sumps and pro's and cons on having one, it is a little more noisey than an external due to the flow of water down the outlet pipe to the sump but not to noisey and you can hide the heaters so dont take up to much space in the main tank.....HOPE THIS HELPS ALL THE BEST

 

[bitteraspects]

Looks like most of the basic ideas are here. Now its just a matter of piecing them together.

A "sump" is a tank or container that sits under your display tank. your sump usually acts as your main, if not only, form of filtration with either a wet/dry or submerged media system. Adding a sump offers many benifits including a huge amount of media space, increased volume of your water column (helping to stabilize your water parameters), space to keep equipment (like your heaters) out of the display, and the ability to completely customize your filtration to your needs.

a basic sump filter consists of 3 sections. The first is the filter portion. an overflow from your display tank drains water into this section which holds all your bio-media as well as a layer of mechanical media to filter out detritus and debris. The second section is a holding area for your equipment, and the last section houses your return pump which pushes the clean water to your display. (in advanced systems there can be other additions like a refugium, algae scrubber, FBF, auto top off, etc.)

The water flows out of your tank via a overflow system. This can be achieved by drilling your tank and adding bulkhead fittings, buying a pre built overflow box, or my personal favorite, DIY.
You can build an overflow out of PVC pipe for only a couple of dollars. Is cost effective and works like a charm.
The overflow system will drain excess water from your tank into your sump, where it will filter through the first section, be heated in the second section, and finally returned to the tank by the pump n the last section.

I hope this has helped to give you an understanding of the basic functions of a sump system.

 

[AdamM]

i was just wondering; instead of an overflow, could you use the same intake as an external filter, but just attach a powerhead to the bottom?

 

[bitteraspects]

No. It needs to run off of an overflow. If you use a siphon to pull water from the tank, you're asking for your tank to spill over. Even of your siphon pump and your return pump arenthe same size, there are tons of factors that could cause the tank to spill over.