You can add a sump if you want. They are helpful but they aren't really necessary in a fish only tank.
A sump is simply a tank that is connected to the main tank, (usually underneath it). The water from the main tank drains into the sump and then gets returned to the tank. In the sump you can keep filter materials, protein skimmers, heaters, etc.
Sumps give you more water volume and are useful in coral tanks because of the large amount of rock kept in the main tank. The rock displaces water and by having a sump you get to increase the amount of water that is in the entire system.
eg: you have a 6x2x2ft tank and it is half full of rock. Instead of holding 600litres of water, (the amount it would hold with nothing but water in), the tank only holds 300litres of water. You have a 3x2x2ft sump joined to the main tank and it holds 200 litres of water. The total volume of water in the system is 500litres and you get half a tank of rock to make a nice looking reef.
Without the sump you only have 300litres of water which is not as stable as 500litres. The more water the more stable the environment.
Sumps can also be used to grow marine algae which help keep the water cleaner by using any nutrients produced. Many marine fish eat algae and the algae can kill corals. By having it growing in a sump you can grow it without the fear of it getting eaten or taking over the corals.
A sump is simply a tank that is connected to the main tank, (usually underneath it). The water from the main tank drains into the sump and then gets returned to the tank. In the sump you can keep filter materials, protein skimmers, heaters, etc.
Sumps give you more water volume and are useful in coral tanks because of the large amount of rock kept in the main tank. The rock displaces water and by having a sump you get to increase the amount of water that is in the entire system.
eg: you have a 6x2x2ft tank and it is half full of rock. Instead of holding 600litres of water, (the amount it would hold with nothing but water in), the tank only holds 300litres of water. You have a 3x2x2ft sump joined to the main tank and it holds 200 litres of water. The total volume of water in the system is 500litres and you get half a tank of rock to make a nice looking reef.
Without the sump you only have 300litres of water which is not as stable as 500litres. The more water the more stable the environment.
Sumps can also be used to grow marine algae which help keep the water cleaner by using any nutrients produced. Many marine fish eat algae and the algae can kill corals. By having it growing in a sump you can grow it without the fear of it getting eaten or taking over the corals.
