Convince me to install a Sump!

[Tanked_Life]

I have been debating with my 55G reef weather or not to toss my canister filter and install a sump... someone please list out for me the Pros/cons of a sump

 

[Paul B]

I can't convince you because I myself don't have one.

 

[jsker]

On that note I am very happy going from a HOB to a sump. One it is easier to clean, changable filter,socks, not heaters in the tank, no probes in the than, skimmer is in the sump, and more

 

[FMF0331]

why would we have to convince you, if everything is working out for you the way it is - stick with it

 

[RyanCSGO]

more water volume, hides equipment, easier maintenance.
i do agree with FMF, don't fix what isn't broken. however, I will probably never have another tank without a sump, I like having one far better than not having one.

 

[clsbgirl]

If its been working why mess with it. The more I stopped messing with things & let them kinda settle, the more they work out. Stability & consistency. I have a wet dry filter on mine, seachem, chemipure elite, & ruble rock in mine & its doing the job. I will say though I do like a cleaner looking tank, so when I upgrade Im probably gonna find a way to stick a heater in there.

 

[NeptuneGarden]

Because canister filters suck.

Lets face it, disconnecting, opening, cleaning, closing, priming, and reconnecting a canister filter is always a headache.
I would never own another after going sump.

 

[Agamerce]

I think that depends on what you want out of your new setup. are you not satisfied with something? are you looking to improve the health or quality? I think it could be said that a sump gives you more options, however, I think that a sump is going to cost more. You can put what you want to in the sump but, I believe that most people get a sump with the idea of lower maintenance. know this, nothing you ever do will take the human element work out of the equation. I know setups that have a sump for a 6-gallon tank so it just depends on what you want.

In response to the previous posts, I think most people have a point. I would do the research and find out exactly what you want from it, how it's gonna work, cost basis, equipment, functionality, knowledge of tank management at that level. Give yourself time, say 6 months, to integrate the new setup. Start slow and realize that if you want an upgrade the water parameters will change and so can the health of the tank if done too fast. Sumps are always better because the more water in a system the slower the parameters will be able to change. Stability is good.

Think about it like this. 10% water change of 6 gallons is a bigger change than 10% of 300 gallons.

 

[Salty1962]

What are you wanting to achieve with your tank. A sump provides:
A place to put all, or most of, the equipment you want to achieve a balanced tank; PS, heater, reactor, macro algae, more volume to achieve better stability, balanced ph through alternating lighting schedules and macro algae, let your livestock be happy due to not having to live around equipment, etc.....

 

[Tanked_Life]

Thank you all! Right now the maintenance on the canister filter is atrocious. Every time I stop it, the settlement in the tubes flush into my main system so to stop that I need to relieve the water in the tubes into a secondary bucket. Also I run a UV filter in my tank and having a bunch of stuff in my actually tank makes it hard to clean the back and side glass. I was thinking of using my 10 gallon spare tank and putting it under my tank as a sump. I can separate that tank into segments using acrylic "gates" any ideas on how many chambers to make, what to put in the chambers, and the order that the water will flow through them?

 

[andyg1960]

Because canister filters suck.

Lets face it, disconnecting, opening, cleaning, closing, priming, and reconnecting a canister filter is always a headache.
I would never own another after going sump.

Takes less than 30 minutes. Big deal.

 

[Agamerce]

Thank you all! Right now the maintenance on the canister filter is atrocious. Every time I stop it, the settlement in the tubes flush into my main system so to stop that I need to relieve the water in the tubes into a secondary bucket. Also I run a UV filter in my tank and having a bunch of stuff in my actually tank makes it hard to clean the back and side glass. I was thinking of using my 10 gallon spare tank and putting it under my tank as a sump. I can separate that tank into segments using acrylic "gates" any ideas on how many chambers to make, what to put in the chambers, and the order that the water will flow through them?

The sump setup depends on the dimentions of your spare tank. Maybe look at sump kits as this will give you an idea of typical types and provide some insurance. Consider a canister filter too as That would be an intermediate step between your current issue and possible solution. Canisters come with pumps installed and very compact. Check out Dr fosters and smith's Proflex Sumps!

 

[4FordFamily]

Build a sump. You should do it. All three of my main display tanks have one. Everyone is doing it. Sump!

 

[Russ265]

....what are you trying to solve?

 

[jsker]

Last post on this thread. As i read through the pros and cons. There are the canister filter believers and non believers. When I ran my Follers I ran a canister. The day I got rid of the canister was a happy day. Then I went with the HOB ref. That was great until I pulled the boi balls and added a DIY skimmer. As I stated earlier I am very happy going with a sump.

 

[Untamedrose]

Thank you all! Right now the maintenance on the canister filter is atrocious. Every time I stop it, the settlement in the tubes flush into my main system so to stop that I need to relieve the water in the tubes into a secondary bucket. Also I run a UV filter in my tank and having a bunch of stuff in my actually tank makes it hard to clean the back and side glass. I was thinking of using my 10 gallon spare tank and putting it under my tank as a sump. I can separate that tank into segments using acrylic "gates" any ideas on how many chambers to make, what to put in the chambers, and the order that the water will flow through them?

Two methods to help with that issue...many have a locking system for the tubes. Lock it..turn it off.. and it wont back flush on you at all the water in the tubes just freezes. .....the older ones Id had stick in the bucket.. turn off pop the top. flow will go in the bucket from both lines (Biggest ***** I have with canisters....Fastest way to empty a tank? have a two year old pop just one side...so it's can still close and suction but then opens to dump water everywhere. can empty a 39 gal tank in less time then it takes you to pee!)

BUT to the sump looks like you already talked yourself into it. BUT IDK if adding a 10 gal is going to be enough to support a 55 gal??? Some sump user will have to comment on that one.

way they are set up your not going to get that whole 10 gallons...maybe 6? got to leave room for power out pump failures ..back flow issue.
And do you have room for all the same stuffs you want Out of the tank in a 10 gal? just something to think about.

Kinda having the same issue..with my 65 gal.(except I'm keeping the canister, sorry ten years in never had a sump not sure I'm comfortable just ditching the filter..I know plenty of others do but)
I really want to give a refugium a try(but with more room then the HOB ones have) BUT my stand is so not made for such. At best I could get a 20 long Under...with a whole 1 inch of clearance :/ Or set up one to the side.

 

[Tanked_Life]

Two methods to help with that issue...many have a locking system for the tubes. Lock it..turn it off.. and it wont back flush on you at all the water in the tubes just freezes. .....the older ones Id had stick in the bucket.. turn off pop the top. flow will go in the bucket from both lines (Biggest ***** I have with canisters....Fastest way to empty a tank? have a two year old pop just one side...so it's can still close and suction but then opens to dump water everywhere. can empty a 39 gal tank in less time then it takes you to pee!)

BUT to the sump looks like you already talked yourself into it. BUT IDK if adding a 10 gal is going to be enough to support a 55 gal??? Some sump user will have to comment on that one.

way they are set up your not going to get that whole 10 gallons...maybe 6? got to leave room for power out pump failures ..back flow issue.
And do you have room for all the same stuffs you want Out of the tank in a 10 gal? just something to think about.

Kinda having the same issue..with my 65 gal.(except I'm keeping the canister, sorry ten years in never had a sump not sure I'm comfortable just ditching the filter..I know plenty of others do but)
I really want to give a refugium a try(but with more room then the HOB ones have) BUT my stand is so not made for such. At best I could get a 20 long Under...with a whole 1 inch of clearance :/ Or set up one to the side.

For this reason I may just go for a 20 Gallon and position the inlet and outlet tubes only about 2" under the water so that in case of a power outage I do not get massive back flow that could empty my tank.

 

[Paul B]

Why do you run a canister filter anyway?

 

[Tanked_Life]

Because it was an easy introductory source of filtration at first, but maintenance is a pain! And what do you run @Paul B

 

[Desmond]

I added a sump in my system and was very happy. As said you can hide heaters , skimmer , auto top of unit. Possibly add a fuge which can help with your N03 and also a nice place for pods to grow. I would not have a tank without one again.