Sump design question

[FDdragon]

So I was wondering what you guys think is needed for a sump.

If you had a choice to build one the way you want...what would you put inside?

I see some sumps with multiple socks, uv sterilizer, media baskets, baffles, fuge, etc and some are really simple with just 2 to 3 chambers. What type of livestock you have also plays a factor in what you add to the sump but just curious if you guys have some necessities for a sump that would benefit pretty much any reef tank.

[crabbysd]

me simple 3 for a standard reef. with space 4. In, skimmer, fuge, pump. more complicated for livestock concerns from there.

[CMD2213]

A skimmer! Lol

Fuge is nice but had macros crash on me and they release everything back into the tank at once.
Filter socks help eliminate some of the residual,debris, nasty settlings. Uv can be beneficial as for the other stuff I can't say.

Following along with this ..

[SmilinAvnger]

My ideal (that I hopefully will be putting together this summer) is a drain overflowing into filter socks into skimmer chamber to fuge to return.

You can make your return pump/pumps big enough to feed add-ons like reactors and UV if need be.

[crabbysd]

me simple 3 for a standard reef. with space 4. In, sump, fuge, pump. more complicated for livestock concerns from there.

duh yea meant skimmer in sump not sump in sump
time for a snickers bar.

[FDdragon]

Yeah, i have a simple setup as well. Sock, skimmer, fuge, return. I searched for custom sump and some of the pics had some funky designs.

Sounds like keeping it simple is the way to go.

[russ13]

It depends on the type of system you want to run. For me I like big and lots of room. I would go sock, skimmer, bio media, refugium. Maybe a nice ATO container and some probe holders. Can't forget a little extra room for a few reactors. I really like advanced acrylics sump I think they make some amazing stuff

[unbereefable]

I like to build my ATO container INTO my sump. That way if pump gets stuck, I can't have an overflow

[FDdragon]

Yeah, I'm thinking of expanding my sump to fit some reactors and ATO area. I also would like my fuge to serve as a holding area for some fish as well.

I'm thinking 2 socks and maybe some media trays...but not sure if they are worth it. I wouldn't need sponge/floss because I will have socks. But I've never used media like that (heard mixed reviews about bio balls) so I can't really complain or praise.

[unbereefable]

I would even use socks. That's fish food your catching. I've never ran socks, but do run small power heads in the skimmer area and return area of sump. To keep everything flowing around and nothing settles. I will use a sock for heavy cleaning, but only for a day or two.

[FDdragon]

What about the filter pads in the media chambers? I've seen lots of tanks are being run that way. Would that be the same thing?

[jschnepf]

My sump is about as easy as it gets, 90 gallon, no baffles, contains my skimmer, heaters, reactor pump, return pump. If cost wasn't an issue I would swap it out with this in a heartbeat.

[crabbysd]

My sump is about as easy as it gets, 90 gallon, no baffles, contains my skimmer, heaters, reactor pump, return pump. If cost wasn't an issue I would swap it out with this in a heartbeat.

Is that one by Ferrari?

[FDdragon]

Ha ha. Yeah.

It's a nice one!

[jschnepf]

Thats a royal exclusive dreambox. They will configure it in any way you like but most cost more than all 4 of the vehicles in my driveway combined. Needless to say its out of my budget, and I would imagine always will be.