New To Haveing A Sump!

[garybuk]

I just broght a 2nd hand fishtank and it comes with a sump all pipeing and return pump! can anyone tell me whats good about them! what i can use it for ect ect

do people put fish in them? plants? any info would be greatfull thanks!

i pick up my tank friday(today)

 

[garybuk]

Got the sump got all the plumping done too! can anyone help? do i just stick my old filter pads ffrom my old fish tank in to my sump for now

 

[andywg]

Sumps are usually used to put filter media in, as well as heaters and anything else you don't want in a display tank (skimmers and reactors are a favourite from SW). Also, the extra water volume adds to stability and the extra turbulence of water and surface area aids gas exchange (not so great if you are adding CO2 for plants).

 

[Colin_T]

Sumps are generally used on marine tanks to give extra water volume to a tank after it is filled up with rocks. Sumps can be used to house plants, heaters and other equipment that you don't want seen in the main tank, including filter materials.
One of the main things with a sump is to make sure it is big enough to hold the excess water that comes from the main tank during a power failure. Many people get a sump that is too small and even though it works well when the power is on, it overflows when there is a power outage.

 

[shroob]

The greatest filters of all time. Highly customable not to mention acres of space for media.

Just on a note though, I wouldnt put fish in the sump. I suppose you could put plants in them, to export waste, but depending on the location (most sumps are under the stand) you would need more lights for them.

 

[garybuk]

Thanks people! 1st my tank will be tropical! the sump will be able to cope with a power faulier but even so it has an over flow!!

what part shud i put the filter parts in? does any filter do?

so can i put stones in the middle part ov my sump to hold plants? what will plants do? i have a light under the cabnit anyway so no worrys about that!

 

[Colin_T]

The filter materials usually go in one side where the tank water is coming in from. That way the tank water gets filtered straight away. Have a fine filter material first and then work your way down to courser materials like sponges and noodles. Wash the top layer (fine material) of filter material out each week or whenever it looks dirty. Have carbon last. If you want to grow plants don't use carbon because it will absorb iron plant fertilisers.
In a marine tank people use sumps to grow caulerpa (marine plants) because many marine fish eat them. By growing them in the sump the plants help keep the water clean and the fish can't chew them all up. In a freshwater setup you can keep the plants in the main tank unless there are cichlids or other fishes that dig up gravel or eat plants.
In a freshwater system the sump would be used mainly to hold filter materials, heater and extra water.
If you ever have to treat your tank with medication remember to include the sumps water volume.

 

[andywg]

Have carbon last. If you want to grow plants don't use carbon because it will absorb iron plant fertilisers.

I would recommend not using carbon at all as it tends to be full up within a couple of days and is a relic of the days when water changes were considered bad.

In a marine tank people use sumps to grow caulerpa (marine plants) because many marine fish eat them.

Surprisingly few fish kept by marine keepers will eat live caulerpa. By growing the macroalgae in a separate place it prevents the algae from making the display tank looking messy and getting in the way of corals.

By growing them in the sump the plants help keep the water clean and the fish can't chew them all up. In a freshwater setup you can keep the plants in the main tank unless there are cichlids or other fishes that dig up gravel or eat plants.

The problem is that you need low CO2 plants (such as floating plants) as a sump naturally causes CO2 to off gas. Growing plants in a sump is not easy. Growing algae is a much better idea.

Many people get a sump that is too small and even though it works well when the power is on, it overflows when there is a power outage.

Many? I find that hard to believe. Some people may, but I doubt that many will. It is also not a matter of getting a sump that is too small so much as overfilling the system.

When filling up a sumped system make sure that all the return pumps are turned off. Then once the water starts to drain from the display tank to the sump, change where you are filling to the sump. Once the sump is full you have established the level the water will return to if there should be a power cut. The only way to get a sumped system to overflow is to put too much water in when filling it.

 

[garybuk]

cheers for you help people but didnt relise how noisey the sump setup think was! and as its in my bed room i could never sleep with it! so will be selling my sump n pump on ebay! or if anyone is intrested in it on hear just let me know

 

[andywg]

Have you tried sumberging the outlet from the drain in the sump and constructing a Durso standpipe? Those two things will make it massively quiet. I have 4 tanks which drain to sumps in my bedroom and there is not much noise.

 

[garybuk]

Have you tried sumberging the outlet from the drain in the sump and constructing a Durso standpipe? Those two things will make it massively quiet. I have 4 tanks which drain to sumps in my bedroom and there is not much noise.

A what?? sorry am new to sump!! its got two out lets! and two inputs!