do I really need a sump?

[steve569]

if I have enough water moverment with powerheads and I put my heater in my bak pac, do I really need a sump?

No you dont need a sump.

They do provides some advantages though in my opinion. They can be much more effective. They can move a lot more water. They usualy give you a few more options as far as adding carbon, resins etc... They also allow for more water in the system without getting bigger tank. They also make for a convienent place to ad suplements or make up water. It also gives you a place to move all or most of your accessories out of the main display so that you have a clean uncluttered tank. In my opinion this gives a much more natrual look than other wise. Some sumps also provide an area for a refugium where macro-algaes can be grown to add further nutrient removal from the water. All in all sumps add so much more flexibilty to your filtration system that they really are worth the added expense if you have the room and the money. They can be DIY or you can buy one thats as elaborate as your wallet will allow.

HTH's

[fishgills]

I agree with Imaexpat2 100%.

[steve569]

if I had a 75g main tank and a 20L would there be too much water movement for a refuge in the sump w/ 10X turnover? Noise is a factor and I don't want my sump overflowing like some people have stated.

Yeah I think something along the order of 300 gph. at any rate for a "refugium" thats way too fast with a 20 gallon tank.

I have a 135 SPS/Clam and a 140 gallon refugium (yeah thats a little over kill on size a 55 would have been adequate I am sure) and my water is moving at about 300 gph which is a little slow for my tank in my opinion. I may bump that up to 450-500 in the near future.

Its better than nothing though, I just think its too fast to give the macro algaes enough "dewell time" to take up nutrients from the water at that speed. If you can slow it down to say...1/2 I think it would be much better. But I dont know if this will suit your needs with the game plan for your set up.

Just an idea....