What exactly is the purpose of a sump... I have a 60 Gal SW tank... do i need a sump... I have an extra 20 gal or 10 gal tank.. should i set one up under my tank? I mean i have a filter made for a 100 G and a very good protien skimmer... just never really thought about what they are for....
i hear it's mostly for salt water, but fresh water also??
Let 'er rip.... also what would i need for a slump and setting on up, besides another small tank..

10 is way too small for a sump.

Sump?

good ? i would like to know to

Everyone in this thread currently, has pm.

Pope, I know exactly what a sump is. But the repetitive use of the word slump made me question it.

Of course you do. I included you simply to not exclude you.

From what I've been observing, sump systems are the most efficient systems for a large multi-tank setup. Such as a fish breeder or a pet store. It doesn't seem necessary or economical for those of us with less than five tanks (and mostly smaller ones) to use a sump system. You seem to have more than adaquate filtration for your different tanks.

This is not true. I'd be using a sump on my 29 if could fit it in my stand.

Here's some info sites on the topic:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4473218_make-sump-fish-tank.html

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/bcorsettingup/a/aa020298sumps.htm

For my own situation of two 55G's and one 29G at work - all of which have completely different water chemistry, heat requirements, etc ... And the fact that I simply find it more cost effective and space efficient to invest in a quality appropriately sized (or oversized) general filter + a UV filter per tank. Gives both filtration and temporary redundancy in case one or the other breaks down. (All tanks are filtered for at least double their volume).

If you have the space and enough tanks that all require the same exact water specifications - then looking into a sump system may be a good option. MusicCityCichlids has a rather impressive group of sump systems.

It really is less applicable in fresh water environments, but the added benefits of a sump, especially combined with a refugium are invaluable in the salt water aquarium. Necessary... not at all.

reefkeeping magazines 3 part article on sumps

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php

And an opinion from a local guy.

[url]http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html [/url]

wow, why was i writing slump???? Embarrassing.... lol YES sump... and pope hooked me up with everything i need.... i believe i will be workin on getting one4 asap...