Do I need a Filter with a Sump???

[shuhu]

I was wondering if a Sump acts as a Filter as well, I'm thinking about making a sump And I thought that it did replaced the Filter but I've seen pics were there are filters and sumps on the same tank, and others were there is only a sump with no filter, so I'm not sure now.

 

[StarOrbs]

A sump is pretty much a large filter. So yes it is a filter.

 

[Waterloo Kid]

Depending on how the sump is consructed it can be a filter. Some people make their sump into a large filter or place filter(s) in the sump. Just having a volume of water sitting beneath the main tank will NOT filter your tank. If the sump has a compartment filled with a filter material though which the water passes then the water is being filtered. There has to be some sort of media over which the water passes for any sort of filtration to take place.
Sumps are traditionally used in marine systems to increase the overall water volume so makingh the sysytem more stable. They are also used to house the equipment that usually lives in the main tank so making the main tank look neater. you can put the filter, heater (and skimmer etc for marine tanks) in the sump.
If you just want an external filter then go buy one. It'll be much less hastle than a sump! If you go for a sump then make sure you set it up properly or you'll have a big mess on your hands. Beware the siphon!!!!!!!!!!!

WK

 

[vantgE]

I would keep a filter on the tank in addition just in case the sump fails

and as said it really depends mostly on the design of the sump and what your entire plan is for the tank

EDIT-> also note that sumps provide very little mechanical filtration, without aditional powerfilter you will have to put a little more effort into gravel vacumeing

 

[shuhu]

alright thanks, now I have to find a good design that suits my 55/75Gal tank "to be"

 

[Ed4567]

If you are setting up a sump then IMO make sure your tank is drilled. This is far more reliable, and less likely to leave a mess on your floor than an overflow box.

 

[shuhu]

thanks Ed4567

I know that but I don't like the un-flexibility of that, If I do make a sump, I'll make sure to do it right so that it won't happend

 

[jimboliana]

shuhu, check out my tank on the link in my sig, i am trying to do it right so if mine fails you can see what probs i have/had and how i resolve them etc, i have been doing my project for some 2/3 months now and it is still not set up but it will be in the next couple of weeks or so.

I am trying to be methodical and trying to get it all right by reading all the info i can and putting it into practice, i use my sump for an increase in water volume and will house my power filter, pH meter, CO2 etc so my fish will also have more space to swim around in

 

[shuhu]

thanks jimboliana

will check it out

ohh and btw, could you post the spects of the sump??? from what I read, you got it custom made or something, but since I want to do it myself I could use some detailed info, if thats OK by you that is (at your topic, not here, so that other people can see it aswell)

EDIT: I just noticed that your tank is drilled (2 holes) that changes everything 'cause it doesn't works for me but I will still keep a closer look at your topic, remember the more pics you post for us the better, specially of little details hope it goes great.

 

[andywg]

I would keep a filter on the tank in addition just in case the sump fails

and as said it really depends mostly on the design of the sump and what your entire plan is for the tank

EDIT-> also note that sumps provide very little mechanical filtration, without aditional powerfilter you will have to put a little more effort into gravel vacumeing

If you use baffle bars then a sump will provide excellent mechanical filtration trapping it as the water flows over and under the baffles, also if you put in a compartment that runs the water through varying sponge density it will mechanically filter as well. I would say that my sumped tank has far less muck on the floor than my others - to the degree that I haven't vacuumed it for about 3 months.

Also, so long as you set up the sump well (I always recommend a drilled tank with a durso standpipe) then the only time the sump won't run is in a powercut whih will cut out any other filters as well.

The important thing with a sump is to research, research, research. As mentioned before - they are more common in salty tanks and I learnt how to set mine up by asking people in the saltwater section here and on other reef-specific forums.

Andy

 

[jimboliana]

shuhu, i have posted a little about my sump for you and others in my thread, if you want any more info please feel free to ask

 

[shuhu]

alright, thanks