Cryptic Sump - The Data is In. Is it Effective?

[@hhinojosareef1]

I started 15 years ago reefing. It’s incredible how much this hobby has grown. Very impressive.

[@travertinepico751]

I’m glad you did the biome testing. Definitely adds some weight to the discussions of if things are beneficial or not.

[@deanfielding4411]

I seriously think you should ‘seed’ bioblocks in your cryptic sump and sell them. Would definitely buy one!

[@siggyincr7447]

I'm not surprised by the results. But it's nice to see confirmation. I've been out of the hobby for a long time but still follow its development and live vicariously in it through KZbinrs like you. If I ever make it back to setting up a new tank, my plan would be to set up a big cryptic sump and get it running stable in advance of setting up the actual tank. I think you could essentially skip the ugly tank phase with a sufficiently large sump full of live rock that is already established.

[@NuclearSpinach]

I had this exact same set of thoughts earlier today, from vicarious living of the hobby to getting an enormous cryptic sump stable in advance

[@DuzzyDobbin]

Hi there, Great concept. My question is did you see an increase in the display of pests because of the live rock? Regards Duzzy🇦🇺

[@dusk1947]

Despite being one of the lesser discussed practices in the hobby, it's a concept I personally find fascinating. Very few hobbyist's seem to implements them, yet several thought leaders and several leading aquaculture business advocated for there inclusion. And numerous marine researchers have highlighted Cryptic interactions as a likely foundation of healthy thriving reefs. So, on paper and ecologically, it seems like a no-brainer. But, as a hobbyist with limited space. The inclusion of one has so far been unfeasible for me. And will have to wait for that grand tank upgrade far off on the horizon. It's nice to see you show one and articulate where you found it useful in practice.

[@bishbashash5319]

Would this cryptic sump theory work on a sealed sump? I was thinking of basically creating a big canister filter with a water container full of live rock that would have its own pump pulling feeding from the main display, it would be sealed so wouldn't have to worry about most sump issues. It's a red sea nano peninsula so already has the sump built in the back so thought this would be a good way of adding some extra volume without trying to drill and add a proper sump in the stand. Thanks :)

[@markrobb7028]

Great video and has me seriously thinking about adding one to mine

[@NinjaXryho]

Have you done any tests on the dissolved organic carbon levels? If not, I think that would be a great thing to measure, since the "sponge loop" hypothesis proposes that sponges absorb DOCs and return them to a form that corals and other filter feeding organisms can absorb.

[@sanpietroprogettista9887]

Looking great, thank you for sharing. I would be interested in seeing how you plumbed in that additional sump.

[@ReefBum]

Thanks. Here is a more detailed look at how I plumbed the cryptic sump into the system. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqK0iX5mlMuJn8U

[@reeftheseaforever]

I setup my waterbox s 60.2 ato and converted the ato portion into a cryptic settling chamber the water overflows back into the sump. I also have a ton of sponges in my sump which I leave alone. I know some people like to clan their sumps I think in some way the sponges and microfauna filters your water .

[@queencityreefs]

Great episode 👏🏻 👌🏻

[@MoeReefs]

Salem Clemens sent me.

[@alfredtolentino8614]

Love the hat 👍

[@bacobb1]

Great video as always. I am now setting up a new large tank in Maine. I will be following the advice from you and Chris on kalkwasser. I have been in contact with NewPig on the Kalkwasser container that you have. I am now looking for the Tamco/US Plastics container that you used for the cryptic sump. I see it online. Were you able to get it locally or did you need to order from US Plastics? Thanks.

[@ReefBum]

Many thanks. I picked up the cryptic sump from US Plastics. Not sure if the black lids are in stock. 60 Gallon Cryptic Sump & Lid www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite... www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...

[@ross2398]

There’s a reefer with a channel named “Timfish” I believe he’s been doing cryptic sumps forever. Guy has 20+ year old reef tanks!

[@codyspencer3491]

What about all the photosynthetic life on the rock that dies when placed in the dark? No nutrient spike due to die off of photosynthetic organisms?

[@ReefBum]

I can't comment on how much photosynthetic life is lost when the rock is placed in the dark but I can tell you that I have not seen a nutrient spike. There does not seem to be a lot of detritus on the bottom.....I guess I could try and siphon it out but it doesn't seem necessary at this point.

[@danieljckson]

Would have like it if you had explained what a “cryptic sump” is. Never heard of it.

[@Sammy31Dee]

Just rock in a sump with no light... just doing its bacteria thing within....

[@jheezie]

He has a whole video on it…

[@ReefBum]

@@jheezie kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqK0iX5mlMuJn8U

[@mzakri]

what is a cryptic sump?

[@ReefBum]

It is a container that can be used to keep live rock/rubble in the dark to allow bacteria, micro fauna, sponges and other critters to grow.

[@adambahe9309]

Isn’t that just a sump though? I have a ton of live rock in the dark in my sump. And you’re right, the amount of sponges that grow are crazy. I could pull out a gallon sized bucket of sponges. But also, I just thought that was a regular sump. Never knew it was called a cryptic sump.

[@garrycole9187]

@@adambahe9309 , think of it as a reactor that you never clean.

[@dusk1947]

One of the best ways to conceptualize it is this: In marine biology and marine ecology, researcher define "Cryptic" as a space in the reef which is hidden or obscured. Yet, they know it's an area vital to the healthy function and ecosystem services of a natural Reef. It's the area under the rock surface, the caves, nooks, and cranny's where all the non-photosynthetic organisms thrive. Here bacteria's, simple animals like sponges, NPS corals, and numerous other invertebrates thrive as filter feeders and detritivores. A "Cryptic sump" as an area in your sump, or detached in a separate sump, that remains completely dark but allows for ample water circulation through it. This allows space for all those non-photosynthetic organisms to reside without being outcompeted by photosynthetic organisms in your main display or various algae-scrubbing areas. Most importantly, they consume common waste and some excess nutrients, and help regulate the water chemistry as they filter feed or provide space for non-photosynthetic bacteria's. At least, that's the argument. The practical application in the hobby is still unproven, given so few people use them or seem to observer there potential importance. But ecologically, they have large potential as a reefing practice (if you have the space).

[@rhombifer566]

i think 🤔 it means in the dark