What is a sump?
A sump is a separate tank placed below your main aquarium. It houses various filtration components, providing a cleaner, more efficient environment for your marine life.
Why should i use a sump?
- Increased Filtration: Sumps allow for more filtration options like protein skimmers, refugiums, and chemical filtration.
- Equipment Storage: Hides unsightly equipment like heaters, pumps, and controllers.
- Water Stability: Helps maintain stable water parameters.
- Emergency Overflow: Prevents flooding in case of equipment failure.
What size sump do i need?
The general rule of thumb is to have a sump that's 25-30% of your main aquarium's volume.
For example, if you have a 100-gallon tank, a 25-30 gallon sump would be a good starting point.
However, there are factors to consider beyond this basic guideline:
Factors Affecting Sump Size:
- Available space: Your tank stand's dimensions will limit the sump size.
- Desired equipment: The more equipment you plan to include (skimmer, refugium, reactors), the larger the sump you'll need.
- Water volume: A larger sump can help stabilize water parameters.
Additional Considerations:
- Bigger is often better: While a smaller sump can work, a larger one provides more flexibility and benefits.
- Overflow capacity: Ensure your sump can handle the water volume from your main tank in case of a power outage.