Sumps and why are they the greatest thing ever for reef aquariums

A sump is basically a secondary tank that your main display tank drains down into. They allow for a number of advantages for reef aquariums and I would personally never set up a system without one. Why do I love these things so much? First off, a sump is a great place to relocate all of your equipment. In systems that are just a stand-alone tank, the more technology that is added can start to clutter things up. The second big benefit to a sump is the surface skimming that an overflow provides. A big problem with tanks without an overflow is that scum tends to collect on the top surface. When the water in a main display drains down into a sump, the surface is cleared up nicely. The third advantage to having a sump is it provides additional water volume. Water volume is nice because it makes the overall system more consistent in terms of temperature and water chemistry because changes happen more slowly in larger volumes of water. The fourth advantage is flexibility. You can set up a sump in many different ways. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you like. There are plenty of people that use a regular glass aquarium as a sump but in this video we take a look at a high end sump that has specialized sections. Hopefully this video gave you some ideas for your own setup. If you like this video, please give it a thumbs up.
Music:
Tracks: “Groove Grove”
Artist: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License Terms:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Video:
Camera information:
Canon C100
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS macro
Canon EF MP-E 65mm f/2.8 macro
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4-4.5 STM IS
Sigma Art 18-35mm f/1.8
Sony Underwater Action Cam
Copyright Information:
This video was shot and edited by Tidal Gardens. Tidal Gardens owns all intellectual property rights to this content.

[@davidmichael3137]

I started this hobby as a kid over 30 years ago, I wish I thought of sumps back then, they are a must have IMO knowing what I know now.

[@rainingmackenzie]

Mr T , You nail it once again. Smooth Clean and Clear information. NO mucking around . Thank you

[@christophersims2302]

Well done. I am about to start my first salt water and this was a great video on sumps. thank you

[@howardgilmour8464]

Took me years to learn without the internet, what you managed to explain in 7.27! Fantastic video, well made, narrated, backed up with imagery and some amazing specimens too. Great effort and love the video. Took me back to those amazing wonder years as a kid trying to figure out all the complexity of the marine environment.

[@cyngravatt123]

Thank you so much... I’ve been going crazy trying to solve this problem for a long time

[@stellarlivingstoned]

I'm happy reefing right now... thank you very much

[@Tokyuuu]

As always spot on 10/10 video content :) Keep up the excellent work!

[@emmanuelperez4830]

great Video. keep these coming. Great job!

[@Richs_reef]

Great video and explanation

[@zaher.w]

Awesome videos man I really thank for your efforts

[@SaltwaterGardens]

Indeed, best information video about sumps. Nice Than

[@baileybrown2480]

thanks for the info I'm planning on getting my first saltwater set up going in January and your videos have helped me a lot! I'm so excited to get to the next step in my tanks!

[@frankie4810]

How’s it been?

[@majikmesa3786]

6 years later I’d love to hear how it is!

[@NettosChannel]

Very nice tank!!

[@ferozkaamil1]

Best information video about sump. keep it up. thank you

[@tidalgardens]

Thanks Feroz

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

Sump designs are endless in this day and age. i like your tub in the greenhouse

[@tidalgardens]

I like the size for sure, but I am all about transparency now. I want to be able to see into the sides of everything so stuff doesn't get neglected.

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

+Tidal Gardens Inc. How about a Cylindrical acrylic sump

[@kurtcooper3699]

Thanks than. Awesome!

[@ScottM]

Awesome and informative video Than. Your friends sump is really nice and well thought out.

[@tidalgardens]

Thanks. I tend to go for just a really big tank to use as a sump while others like it very compartmentalized.

[@HWolfe]

Execellent breakdown on sumps; I needed this!👌

[@northerniggy8261]

Overhead sumps work well also, for smaller tanks. My 80gal has a built-in overhead sump in the Canopy (freshwater). So I pump the water 'up' and the sump overflows back down into the tank using gravity.

[@ManCaveReef]

Nice video and good information

[@simonstone2133]

love all your vidoes, your voice is very relaxing to listern to

[@StreetArtistsOfTheWorld]

Good info!

[@antrikx7076]

Extremely good & informative video & very well planned. Felt like a professional documentary. thanks

[@avicreed974]

i guess im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a way to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the login password. I would love any assistance you can give me.

[@ephraimjustice8649]

@Avi Creed Instablaster :)

[@avicreed974]

@Ephraim Justice Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out now. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@avicreed974]

@Ephraim Justice It did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my ass!

[@ephraimjustice8649]

@Avi Creed Happy to help =)

[@DrinkhtooO]

Great video Than...

[@tidalgardens]

Thanks!

[@jimedwards9310]

very nice

[@Jolopy8000]

Sumps I love them! One day I'll have a Rubbermaid tub like you they seem awesome

[@tidalgardens]

The Rubbermaids are inexpensive as well. Less than $1 per gallon.

[@Jolopy8000]

I wish I could have one. My tank is on the 2nd floor and if I get a Rubbermaid tub it would have to be at least a 150g one and I don't think it would be able to hold lol!

[@ngocly8943]

The best video

[@Thunderkat65]

I had a very large tiger cowrie in a tank once until it grew fond of sitting on top of and plugging the drain to the sump. After the second time it flooded my carpet I donated it to a local pet store.

[@drdurso3114]

GREAT vid. Thanks! If anyone is thinking of building a sump, you should check out the playing around I've been doing for the last year with durso overflows. Surprising what I found regarding flow rates and such

[@brucegcastro6951]

Cool and interesting

[@tidalgardens]

Thanks!

[@brucegcastro6951]

You're welcome

[@marineaquarium5235]

Two things you mentioned that I love, overflow blockage testing and water volume.

[@Mindboggle100]

Than, as always an excellent, informative video... Now its my turn to offer you advice. Never let a woman get "under your skin", even if she is a reefer! ;-) All the best to you...

[@TripedalTroductions]

I like the Kerbal Space Program VAB music :)

[@tidalgardens]

I have heard someone say that before. I haven't played the game before though :/

[@TripedalTroductions]

If you ever get time, I strongly recommend it. It's a lot of fun!

[@chefdan87]

One of the best games ever made, i noticed the soundtrack in this video as well. Ive put more hours in that game than any of my other games, there is really a endless amount of things to do or try.

[@spoolingsx90]

My main display is in my living room I would like to run my sump from my basement will I have a c02 build up from that and what would be a good return pump thank you

[@pschrum4me]

Than have you ever seen a sump that used xenia as a filtration method like macro algea? I have heard of these and have my doubts. Do you have any thoughts on using xenia or other coral, maybe even clams as a means of filtering out particulates in the water column?

[@tidalgardens]

I haven't personally no. I've also heard of people considering Aiptasia filters, but never in practice. Clams however supposedly reduce nitrates.

[@gordiefrench5342]

the most peaceful videos are from tidal thank you than i use a 40 gal as a refuge but can't find any macro that are colorful as yours here in canada. every time i ask a fish store for some i get a strange look.

[@freefreesetmefree2234]

Iwaki Japan the best ever pump in the world. Work over 20 years. Purchased in HKong 1997

[@CharlesLales]

Hi, nice video, calm and instructive ;) For freshwater, what could be the best sump options / components / modules? Moreover, where can we order them online in Europa.. and even better, where can I find a dealer / good brand in Europa..?

[@rockmicah4060]

7:01 which is that coral on far right side

[@roythompson2632]

Hi, nice video!. A question, asked a thousand times before....Flow rate thru' the sump..3x, 5x, 10x tank volume? Depends on skimmer? Water movement in main tank...10x, 20x, 30x? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[@howardgilmour8464]

Surprised nobody had a go at this one. Since they haven't, I'll try.... As you intimate, there is no 'law' here. You can demonstrate that by asking... 'what's the best situation between these two extremes'?. A) 10* turnover where you have purely a mechanical medium or B) 1* turnover where you have mechanical, biological, chemical and skimming plus and addition pump for movement in the tank! For me personally, I'd take an average from experts featured here and with an emphasis of making sure the methods were solid too (skimming, biological, chemical and mechanical to name the main ones). Course it depends on what you're keeping (fish or inverts) plus other factors like husbandry. Why not come up with a list of variables and work out whether yours is a high, medium or low demand tank and work from there. You could take a low, medium or high average and be a bit better informed.

[@dapali123]

turnover 10x ? this is so 1950s when only way to make a flow in your tank was trough turnovers. Simple you need to break this in 2 . In the tank flow which depends on your stock and second the system flow which go trough your sump. Sump in fact is your life support, what that mean is your mechanical and especially biological filtration take place . For that contact time is needed. I would go ahead and say that it is somewhere between 3-5 times, depends on your stock and equipment you use.

[@edstud1]

what kind of filter?

[@CrazySpikkie]

Great information on the video, can you tell me about the AI lights you are using and the settings pls?

[@upsidedahead]

Fell asleep holding the phone. His voice is like an opiate

[@tidalgardens]

same

[@12HENSON12]

was that a load of red carpet nems at 1:28 ?

[@fallen_ang3l106]

is there a link to buy sumps like that?

[@nicholasjohnson1295]

thought i had ksp running had to check twice

[@hustlecoralvlogs7675]

Im making a system out of 3 tanks a 70 and 65 gal and im hooking them both up too a 55 gal sump Im using a dcp 10000 jebao return pump Im looking for design suggestions!! Some thing like this possibly? sock skimmer // refug/frag rack display// then return section i have 4' to work with any help would be appreciated

[@jbliss2000007]

great video than, what setting are you using on your camera to get the actual colors of the corals and not the blue glow?

[@tidalgardens]

It's not so much the settings of the camera it is the camera itself. Professional cinema cameras capture more image information so they tend to handle goofed up lighting artifacts better than DSLR's. Still, I can tell a big difference shooting corals under LED vs T5. T5 gives a more true color compared to LED.

[@jbliss2000007]

+Tidal Gardens Inc. You're about that, I'm actually switching back to t5's. I noticed better growth and took better pictures. thanks for the reply

[@bestplans9051]

jbliss, if you're using a DSLR you'll have to manually set your white balance using a white (not opaque) lid in the tank and under the water. Try about 3"-4" under the surface and take a picture of the lid and use that exposure as your white balance. Should work much better for you.

[@NIKHILCHAUHAN-xv9ox]

Pls make video how to make u this sump step by step pls

[@YouLoveRyanSeacrest]

Kerbal Space Program music??? (:

[@maddawgzzzz]

I love this song lol.

[@gunnykido7213]

I was just about to ask that

[@wadleeri]

do you have a link to that sump?

[@darrenmazzarella5399]

Lifereef.com

[@stevelachappelle8571]

What if I wanted my refugium as a second tank to show?

[@turbocpt1]

Then have the main tank overflow into the refugium and refugium drain into the sump.

[@Lisa-wc3vz]

@@turbocpt1 Yes, Lord.

[@turbocpt1]

@@Lisa-wc3vz idiots everywhere...

[@Inzam89]

Hello do you suggest good filtration for 265 gallon freshwater tank..? Im eagerly waiting for someone 1 adivices.. Where i can get cheaper sump systems for 265 gallon tank.? Or where i can get the perfect engineering art of sumps to build in my country..

[@zacharycoronado6749]

My recommendation is to get a used aquarium. Get the supplies to convert it to a sump. If not, then you can make sumps cheaply (but not very pretty), by getting a small rigid tub, like those used for small ponds. Just don't use storage bins

[@xisotopex]

uhhh what do you mean one of the tanks will overflow??? if the pump fails, wont the display tank just over flow until it drops below the level of the return over flow? so you could design your sump to hold that water without over flowing....? 😬

[@Jucy_j]

Brah! bad ass videos and great advise but damn your voice and volume puts my ass to sleep haha "Clear Eyes Dry Eyes"

[@amitji1136]

I have amarine tank fish tank only but I want to convert in reef setup but HOW ❓🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@maca9417]

Were do get a sump from in the uk

[@tristanbeligan6242]

You can build one yourself using a regular glass tank, glass panels, glass cutter, and silicone. You can most likely find the glass panels, cutter, and silicone at your hardware store. Make sure the silicone is aquarium safe though.

[@tristanbeligan6242]

You can sometimes find aquarium safe silicone at LFS

[@peter23081]

Quite a supersump,but what about the pricetag on something like that without additional equipment......

[@t.regnerus301]

If you have to ask you can't afford it.

[@tidalgardens]

I don't know how much this particular one cost, but custom acrylic sumps are almost always expensive if they use a nice thick acrylic for construction.

[@allspice7208]

that information is packed with knowledge... or if i even make sense... meh

[@averagegm]

What’s the name of that sump

[@tidalgardens]

That is a Lifereef

[@elijahfaas]

+tidal gardens

[@tsurro8086]

Those life reef sumps are outrageous in price, not sure if they are worth it!!

[@jah651]

I just got mine, TOTALLY worth the cost! Don't forget Jeff's sump prices aren't JUST for the sump. They are complete systems including all the pumps, plumbing and they also come with the Skimmer as well. When you consider his products last 15+ years the cost is insignificant.

[@wbowman1556]

Building a sump is very simple. Either use glass or acrylic. Cost a FRACTION of the cost of the commercial systems.

[@1992pattrow]

Building a sump like a Bashsea or life reef is extremely difficult. I would like to watch someone without proper glass/acrylic machines and tools to build a similar sump.

[@gold3nrul311]

it all really comes down to "how much do you value your time?" sure they can be built, but some people have life, jobs etc and their time is way more valuable than building a sump. Other people enjoy the project and don't worry about spending time that might not be economical in the long run, for instance opportunity costs of all that time building it. @@1992pattrow

[@SpaghettiKillah]

I'm looking at this on my iMac...next to it I have a 1 gallon glass-ball with a beta fish in it😂 somehow I feel I made the right choice

[@ldballoon4]

Don't buy into prefab sumps, just use an empty aquarium. Done and cheap.

[@AprendizAdulto]

I understand the benefits of sumps...but it sure does make it complicated and scary considering water is leaving the tank. If the water keeps leaving the tank and the return pump is broken...I hope in the future there will be a more minimalist approach. I think the sump aspect is what intimidates most people from pursuing reef tanks.

[@Freemananana]

Andreu Ahn Modern drains for sumps are full proof. No more faulty than a canister filter. Reefing is complicated for sure, but a sump doesn't have to be. I've used sumps on freshwater tanks for a few years now and I love them. The customization and sear volume of media and equipment not in the main tank is unmatched.

[@AprendizAdulto]

Thanks Freemananananana. Why would you need a sump for freshwater tank? I dunno...just the idea of having water leave the tank in that much volume scares me. What species do you have? You still gaming?

[@Freemananana]

It's the same concept as a saltwater tank. It keeps all the equipment out of the tank. The only thing in my tank is a spray bar. I have three heaters in the sump along with spare media and CO2 equipment. I don't really do KZbin. It was a bored afternoon thing.

[@dapali123]

Andreu Ahn -...." water leaving the tank"... the water leaving the tank is the exact amount of water is pumped from the sump. If the pump stop working, so does the "water leaving the tank".

[@alb9022]

"full proof"

[@NIKHILCHAUHAN-xv9ox]

Link send me

[@garylion1123]

What is a sump?

[@turtlemaster4515]

a sump is a sump sir donald trump Lol i rhyme

[@williamchamberlain2263]

A section lower than the rest that fluid enters by gravity. A car engine has an oil sump so that there's a lowest-point to drain oil from.

[@NIKHILCHAUHAN-xv9ox]

Ya i all ready build this send post video ya any were to ready made pls send me libk

[@bettyswallsack8118]

This video just called me poor

[@Goldwell.]

Why doesn't anyone explain how to connect all this correctly? There are no instructions and I don’t understand where to connect the pipes, how to connect them correctly, where and which pipe should be placed in which compartment. Where to put the skimmer? where is the media? where is the pump?

[@Berbs73]

This guy sounds like Tom Green. lol

[@derekpounds1522]

Kip from Napoleon dynamite.............

[@thegolflife7565]

This is not a cheap sump.

[@Meatbone1968]

Cool video but way out of my league.

[@xaviervax]

too complex

[@bestplans9051]

It's actually not Xavier. It seems like it because people are use to HOB and or canister filters which are pretty simple, put in a cartridge or media and plug it in, boom done.. This is essentially the same thing but with a much larger capacity AND you can control the flow rate. You can also add live rock to the sump, chaeto and actually use it as a refugium and a filter at at the same time. I felt the same way when I switched over and after finding out how easy it really is and how much better the filtration was, I'll never go back to HOB or especially canister filters. Part of the intimidation factor is the cost of the sumps which I agree is high but you can get very simple DIY kits to make your own. Also is plumbing and head pressure of the pumps which can be researched. I can only speak from what I experienced but I'll never go back to anything but a sump. Everyone thinks what they have is the best until they experience a problem that they'll never tell you about or blame the equipment but I can attest that sumps do deliver if you're willing to do the proper maintenance just like owning a car and expecting it to last 10-20 yrs or more.

[@omniexistus]

too fuckin complicated..damn my lil ol' brain hurts