What are the advantage(s) of using a sump?

[pinoy]

My friend and I are new and very much into this salt water hobby. We have all kinds of corals from mushrooms to LPS to SPS and even clams...

We both have hang-on skimmers, and filters.

The thing is, we dont have a sump. We often argued about using a sump, he claims that sump is just a luxury for reef keepers and costly, while I disagreed with that statement, I really dont know the answer. 

There are probably lots of post here about sumps and it advantage and disadvantage (if any). What do you think? Please enlighten us about this with reference to today's (2009) sump technology.

Thanks

[unshaven]

All of your unsighly equipment is kept out of sight.  Less live rock is required in your show tank as most of it is kept in the sump.  You can keep some more aggressive inverts in the sump to keep things clean.  It adds a large volume to your tank total therefore you can keep more fish in the bioload.
The cost isn't as much as buying a tank 20 gallons larger.

This is just off the top of my head.

[lost_at_sea]

seriously....

google it.  There is so much out there already don't make someone else come on this thread and regurgitation the same information.

do a little research it's all out there and then maybe try and ask something more specific like "primary benefits between above tank vs below tank sumps"

but yes primary benefits are more water volume (make chemistry more stable) more space for LR (more bioload) refugium possibility and removing all equipment from DT, also makes room for far superior quality skimmers etc.

downsides: need space for it (stand), will need return pump, would need to get tank drilled ($$$ although a very good investment)

I'm not trying to be rude but maybe more like a TA in university...

[pinoy]

Seriously.., I did google it, and I did some research,

lost_at_sea, most if not all of the questions here in OVAS can also be answered by googling it, I just wanted to get the opinion of the members here ...

[Dave and Diane]

Pinoy, feel free to ask as many questions as you like.
Get opinions and make your choices from what information and experiences has been offered.

Yes the set up of a sump does offer advantages.

increased bi-load, less clutter in display tank, there are as many experts who will say yes, and others will say no.

Even people whom have purchased the All in One such as the Red Sea series set ups, have installed a sump, to increase the bi load.

The OVAS is here to share experience's and ideas.

[Hookup]

In order, here is the official list as found in better aquariums and gardens Sept 2008.

#1 reason - Surface skimming.  Majority of bio-crap bonds to the surface of the water and is skimmed off and sent to the sump, where the sump is then working with the dirtiest water, returning the cleanest water to the tank.

#2 reason - water volume increase = dilution of pollution

#3 reason - component quality for in-sump systems is consistently higher.  HOB p-skimmers suck in comparison ($ to $) of in-sump ones as an example

#4 reason - noise pollution - noise of HOB junk is moved to a sump area that can be contained in a box (cabinet) thus reducing noise for your system

#5 reason - clean look/aesthetics - your tank can sit against the wall properly and not have unsightly crap hanging off of it.

$6 reason - all the cool kids have one.

[Malyon18]

Hey I was in the same boat as you a few weeks back wondering what the benefits were. After much research and lots of advice from this site I have decided to get the tank drilled and build a sumo, it may take me longer and cost a bit more but I figure I will save more down the road and my tank will be a lot cleaner looking. PLUS I wanna be a cool kid.

[Dave and Diane]

Well there you go.
Finally an answer that we can all agree on.

ALL THE COOL KIDS HAVE ONE..................

[pinoy]

Thanks !!!!!!

Sounds like youve all convinced me to get one too!

[Rybren]

   I'm not cool! 

[Malyon18]

I can make you cool for only 3 payments of 39.99 and I will wave shipping plus give you bonus pocket protectors.

[Rybren]

For that kind of money, I'd be half-way to having a sump (already have the tank).  But I wouldn't have the pocket protectors.  Hmmm, lemmie think about it and get back to you.

[Tsukiyomi-sakura]

Put that sump in or you will hate yourself later!

DO IT! OR I'LL BITE YOU! 


Seriously, I'm kicking myself now for the work I'm going to have to go through to tear my tank down to sump it.

[Hookup]

  I'm not cool! 

You fly fish... therefore by default you are one of the cool-kids... or at very least, the kid that the cool kids sometimes eat lunch with in the cafeteria but doesn't get invited to all of the parties...

[salvini55]

What are you waiting for!!!! Slap on some water proof breeches put down the 10ft pole and get sumpin'