Setting up a Sump

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How to Set up a Sump with Overflow Box for a Saltwater Aquarium.

Today we’re going to talk about the benefits of using a sump, as well as how to set one up on your saltwater aquarium. First of all what is a sump and how does it benefit my tank? A sump can simply be defined as a storage area for processing (filtering, heating, cooling, skimming) and recycling tank water. Here are some advantages to using a sump on a saltwater tank:

• Increased water volume. By increasing the water volume, you will have a more stable fish tank capable of holding more livestock. As an example, a 55 gallon tank without a sump might contain 35-40 gallons of saltwater after you subtract for sand and live rock. By adding a small sump below the tank, you can easily gain another 10-15 gallons of capacity without increasing tank size. This is more beneficial for smaller, nano type tanks.
• The sump allows you to place all your equipment; heater, protein skimmer, mechanical filtration, refugium, etc., out of site under the tank stand.
• Water level in tank always stays the same. Hopefully we all add fresh makeup water to the tank regularly, but without a sump, the water level in a tank will drop as evaporation occurs. This can be unsightly and problematic to have to add water to the tank directly on a regular basis. In a sump system the water level in the tank stays the same, but drops in the sump as water evaporates.
• Easy access! The sump creates an easy place to add makeup water and other chemicals to the tank, without having to move lighting or glass tops.
• Larger space for equipment. This allows for a larger skimmer and return pump as well as room for extra live rock etc.
• Extra filtration. A sump allows for a much greater level of filtration and flow in the aquarium, which means a healthier tank that can sustain a higher livestock load.
• Can serve many other purposes such as biofiltration, refugium, temporary livestock storage, etc.

So this all sounds great right? But how do we build it and how much will it cost? Here are some vedios to help you understand how it works and some cost effective ways of building a do it yourself sump.

Most of these videos use aquariums for sumps, which is what we recommend for ease of use, but you can also use a rubbermaid tote. Many times you can pick up used aquariums really cheap at yard sales or check with a local fish store. Here is a link to try for used aquariums. Try to find the largest aquarium/sump that you can find which will fit comfortably in the space you have available. A clear glass aquarium will allow for easier management later on since you can clearly see what’s going on in the entire tank, where a tote will only be visible from the top side. This is especially important for a small aquarium where space under the stand is limited. Keep in mind that you will have to get equipment in and out of the sump regularly for routine maintenance. Easy access also makes water changes and other maintenance tasks much more bearable.

Overflow Box

So now we have our sump container, but how does the water get to it from the tank?  Some newer tanks are sold “reef ready” which means they are drilled for an overflow and return line, however older/non drilled tanks often need to utilize an overflow box. Here is a video to help you understand how an overflow box works. In our next post we’ll talk about how to size the overflow box and return pump. More to come…. Check back soon!

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