Freshwater Sump

Drew · 07-07-2001, 07:14 PM

Hey guys,

You know, during my years of keeping FW (mainly S.A. cichlids) I don't remeber once seeing a FW sump. Could somebody tell me why? I had plenty of additives. I remember the good old days of using peat and proper ph 6.5, don't you?

So why don't the FW people use sumps? It seems logical. Just wondering

Drew

Doug1 · 07-07-2001, 07:41 PM

Prolly cause FW tanks are easier to do major water changes on(except Discus on low pH SA biotopes) I know a few Rift Lake cichlid keepers that use wet drys and waste water from RO to do water changes. Personally I think its easier to top off and prtects heaters and stuff from large aggressive cichlids. Friend of mine lost a pair of breeding oscars to a crushed heater

reefcam · 07-07-2001, 10:35 PM

Just took down my freshwater tank that was running a sump. I figured if it works for SW, why not FW. The reason I did it for FW was so I can put my filter pad on the bottom and not worry about a hang-on filter on the back. And also wanted to see how it did. Well it did a bit too well. The FW Plants grew out of control.

But you have to ask why do most of us have sumps. They aren't necessary if you buy the right equipment to hang on your tank. Also, SW equipments are mostly designed to be external to the tank and need to reside some where aside from the main tank.

FW equipments were designed to either attach to the tank or be in the tank. An old design that never died. Then again, when was the last time you need a skimmer or a calcium reactor.

I'm sure there are people running a sump for their FW, just not as widely used as SW hobbyist. I didn't have a sump for my SW FO tank when I first started either. Started my first saltwater tank setup like I would have my FW tank.

Doug1 · 07-07-2001, 11:00 PM

Actually a wet dry would be good for large messy cichlids if used with frequent water changes. Not sure about the denitrifying bacteria in FW
Im sure a lot of use transitioned to reefs using tecnology we were raised on or promoted by LFS that live in the past

FishDaddy · 07-08-2001, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Im sure a lot of use transitioned to reefs using technology we were raised on or promoted by LFS that live in the past

Hmmmmmmmmmm.......maybe that's why my first SW reef tank setup had a Magnum 350 Pro w/biowheels; Dolomite substrate; and temp set at 77 degrees?

(That all got changed out rather quickly!)
At least, the Magnum can be recycled whenever I set up the long-promised FW Angelfish tank for FishGirl!!!
Dick

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: FishDaddy ]