Sump

Lighting, filtration etc
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Jamie G
Posts: 443
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 6:49 pm
Location: Crofton, MD
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Post by Jamie G »

Hey all im setting up my 72g tonight, and was debating adding a sump.. what are your thoughts ?

if so, how should I do this ? how do I set it up ?
gnatster
Posts: 474
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 2:45 am
Location: United States

Post by gnatster »

The pros and cons of a sump

Pros
Great for hiding stuff, heaters, reactors, etc
Increased water volume aids in overall stability
Convienient location to dose, no fish swiming into a stream of Nitrates
Hidden area for those breeding Cherry Shrimp

Cons
CO2 use may be higher
Possible flooding issues if not plumbed correctly
Rescuing fish/shrimp that went for a ride on the "Fish Slide"
Depending on setup can add considerable upfront costs.
In-tank real estate loss do to overflows.
Leaks

I have one, if I was to do it over again I know I would make changes in the setup. Would I use a sump again? Yeah I think so, but smaller. Also would not get a reef ready tank but would have holes drilled in tank back for overflow and return.

<a href="http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7923" target="_blank">My Journal</a>

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gnatster
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RTRJR
Posts: 558
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2003 6:23 am
Location: MD exurbs

Post by RTRJR »

I'm big on sumps, but have fewer than I once did.

CO2 loss is a real possibility, and is directly related to overflow design more than to the sump itself most of the time.

I don't mind overflows or constant-level siphons, in fact I prefer them to drilled tanks, but many overflows are noise-makers and do waste CO2.

I do also admit that most of my sumps have been on non-CO2 supplement tanks.

Redundancy of critical paths is the surest way to avoid floods.
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