Reef Tank and Sump Exchange: What You Need to Know

Having reef tank, you have probably seen the advantages of using a sump. A sump is a second tank that is placed below or beside the main aquarium and is connected to it by pipes or hoses. The goal of a sump is to enhance an added filtration, to expand water volume and also to facilitate maintenance.
In this post, we’ll discuss the basics of the exchange between a reef tank and a sump, and how to incorporate a skimmer into this setup.
The Exchange Process:
In a reef tank and sump exchange system, water is continuously cycled between the two tanks. Water is sucked from the main tank into the sump, and then subjected to several stages of filtration then pumped back into the main tank. The exchange process is usually achieved using an overflow box, which is a device that allows water to flow from the main tank into the sump without any electrical components.

Benefits of a Sump:
The other significant advantage of have a sump is that it allows significantly more water to be part of your aquarium system. This means that there is more water to dilute any toxins that may be present in the tank, and it also provides more stability in terms of temperature and pH levels. Further, a sump offers extra filtering features, including protein skimmers, that can be used in aquariums to reduce the amount of excesses nutrients and wastes in the water.

Skimmers and Sumps:
Protein skimmers are one of the most widely used ways of filtering reef tanks. A skimmer removes the suspended organic matter and pollutants from the water by inducing a column of bubbles which adheres and sinks the pollutants from the water and subsequently it is ejected from the setup. When incorporating a skimmer into a sump setup, it’s important to position the skimmer so that the water flows into it before entering any other filtration stages. This guarantee that the skimmer removes all waste before it is broken down by the other filtration process.

In general, it is recommended to exchange about 10% of the total volume of the aquarium every hour. If you have a 200-L aquarium, then you should need at least 20 L of aquarium water to be emptied from the aquarium and into the Sump every hour. This quantity may change based on the particular requirements of the filtration system and on the needs of the fishes and plants in the aquarium.
It is also important to keep track of the water quality in the aquarium and the Sump. If the water in the aquarium becomes too dirty or if the water quality in the Sump decreases, it may be necessary to increase the frequency of water exchanges. On the other hand, if the water in the aquarium is too clean and lacks nutrients, it may be necessary to reduce the frequency of water exchanges.
It is possible to use a sump together with a reef tank that offers a variety of advantages, like greater water capacity, better filtration, and easier care. By adding a protein skimmer to your sump and thus a cleaner history for your aquarium water you actually improve a more healthy living environment for your marine life. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced reef keeper, a sump is a great addition to any reef tank setup.

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