Sump Help!

[madness]

hi everyone i have been thinking of adding a sump to my tank its only a 30 gal tank i have a external filter on it cant remember right now what it is but its more than enough for the tank. is a sump the way to go i dnt mind making one buying one etc. but are they worth it i have read alot on the subject but still unsure if its for me how can i prevent it overflowing what sump systems are best. i would in the future like to go marine when ive got time to take care of it so would it be worth me gettin a sump now an just leaving room for a skimmer!
any info on the matter will be greatly appreciated after reading up on them i dnt feel like ive got anywhere! i need someone to put it into simple english for me!

Thanx !

 

[mixmaster jay]

a smp needs to be roughly 25% of your tank volume

A sump is a tank under the main showtank.It is connected to the main tank via some sort of overflow and returned to the main tank by a return pump.A sump can be used both on marine and freshwater systems.It provides more water volume,which aids water stability, and can be used as a means of filtration too.
There are two ways of feeding the sump from the main tank.Both are basically an overflow. one way is to have the tank drilled. Another way is to have an overflow box fitted, this is used for undrilled tanks. the over flowbox provides a means for the water to overflow into the sump. The water overflows from the tank, into the box and down the pipework into the sump.The water is returned to the main tank from the sump via a large pump. the sump can have a deep sand bed and Caulerpa growing on the sand, The Calerpa basically feeds on the nutrients in the system thus removing them, the deep sand bed will denitrify, the sump is a good place for the skimmer to and also to hide the heaters in thus getting the equipment out of the main tank,


http/www.reefadvices.com/beginners/sump-work/ have a look at this mate

 

[Rooster]

... doesnt need to be under the show tank

 

[mixmaster jay]

its just a guide line to help them out and 99% of them are especially if you buy a new tank they are built in so its right to say that .

it doesn't need to be under the main tank but its best that it is as its easier to hide all your piping and cables behind the cabinet(if you have one for your heaters pumps ect and it quieter and generally neater in the cupboard under the tank

 

[BigC]

If your going into marines eventually then a sump IMHO is a necessity. But you will need to have your main aquarium drilled, Have a look at my thread.its round about the same volume as yours.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=202153
Regards
C

 

[madness]

i dnt think drilling is an option to be honest think im going to have to get a overflow box but would drilling be safer in case of a power cut. i mean if i do my calculations right an make sure theres enough space in the sump to take the excess water isnt this just as good?

 

[rabbut]

Overflow boxes tend to make you carpet wet when the power comes back on. The overflow boxes tend to loose their syphon when flow stops, and hence don't start draining back down to the sump when power is restored, so the sump's contents get pushed into and over the top of the main display... Drilling is by far the safest option