Sump must haves
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=73116
Printed Date: February 03 2026 at 5:52pm
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Topic: Sump must haves
Posted By: goin2disneyland
Subject: Sump must haves
Date Posted: September 27 2014 at 6:37pm
| Just wondering what everyone's "must have" equipment that they run in their sump. Skimmers I assume, but what else? I am planning my next tank and would like to know what works for everyone else. TIA! |
Replies:
Posted By: talwen
Date Posted: September 27 2014 at 6:43pm
| I think the most important thing is to build a manifold for the sump so you can add things later. When I had my 125 I ran carbon/ gfo off and on so it was nice to be able to take them on and off line with ease. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 27 2014 at 7:15pm
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http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36396" rel="nofollow - http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36396 Aloha  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: September 27 2014 at 9:29pm
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Return pump. Sorry. Just had to say it. I have multiple things in my sump, and would add more but have run out of room under the stand. Skimmer, filter sock (differing opinions on these), heaters, other mechanical filtration, dosing, refugium. That's just in my small sump. ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: -TYR-
Date Posted: September 28 2014 at 11:44am
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My new sump is 5 chambered one for the intake then my filter pads and carbon/phosguard one for my skimmer and then my refugium and return ------------- Blub Blub |
Posted By: PDoug
Date Posted: September 28 2014 at 10:28pm
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You all do chambers. I just raise my return pump a hair and clear out a place for my skimmer and keep the water level 2/3 full (enough to not overfill in A power outage) So that being said Macro and you have a wicked refugium my critter population down there is awesome ------------- (307)679-7898 Phillip Douglass 75 Gallon Reef Tank |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 29 2014 at 2:49am
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Auto topoff... ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 29 2014 at 7:19am
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I love auto top-off. It's definitely an advantage. There are several ways to do auto top-off. Currently I use the simple "Glug Jug". Baffled chambers create a special need for auto top off. If the return pump sits in a small chamber, the water level in that chamber can drop a long way in a day. I agree with PDoug. The solution is to expand the chamber volume, even to include the entire Sump/Refugium. If the return pump is submersible(as more and more are these days, since the development of stream powerheads), it can be raised up within inches of the operating water level. This offers several advantages. 1. allows for the sand bed, macroalgae and bugs to occupy the entire sump/Refugium. (more sand bed, Macroalgae and bugs = more biofiltration and less need for a *skimmer  )2. keeps sand from entering the return pump. 3. is a safety feature by reducing the amount of water that can be pumped out of the sump/Refugium during a drain blockage(no overflowing display tank  ).* Skimmer - Though I have often gone skimmerless, a skimmers major advantage is as a safety precaution against the pollution that arises from a big animal that died and was not immediately removed. Also, depending on the fish bio-load, some animals, Acropora for example may do better in water cleaned by a skimmer. In an open Sump/Refugium, if the water is too deep for the Skimmer, simply set it on a pedestal made from eggcrate, which again allows open sand bed underneath. Aloha
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: herrera
Date Posted: September 29 2014 at 5:09pm
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Ato,skimmer,grow light, tons of chaeto. ------------- 125g Aggressive tank SWC-Xtreme cone prtein skimmer 40g Sump ------------------------------ 16g Innovative Marine Reef AI led 75W |
Posted By: bur01014
Date Posted: September 29 2014 at 10:26pm
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some other additional things I have found....in addition to the great suggestions above 1. bubble trap, or a way to address micro bubbles. 2. Small area for frags/small light 3. Small area to house a fish or two during acclimation or removal if trying sell or if they are being picked on/beat up - this also helps to have a place to float a bag of newly purchased corals or fish as floating in display can be annoying. 4. Plenty of room to work, avoid cramming and tight spaces or maintenance will become a chore. 5. be sure to design your sump to handle salt creep and splashing... |