If you possess a sump for your tank – good for you – you should know how to prevent aquarium sump overflows.
It is very easy to avoid aquarium sump overflows, but if it happens, it is inconvenient, to say the least.
In this article, we will take a look at what an aquarium sump is and why it is needed. Also, we will discuss why aquarium sump overflows are bad. Lastly, we will explore how to prevent your aquarium sump from filling up.
What is an Aquarium Sump?
For the uninitiated, an aquarium sump is a separate tank that is connected to your main tank/display tank. It is used to house the various equipment needed for the proper functioning of your aquarium, such as filters, heaters, protein skimmers, and calcium reactors.
The sump usually sits below the main tank and is divided into compartments using baffle plates. Commonly, it houses 3-4 compartments, but for larger aquariums, the number could be higher.
The sump uses gravity to siphon water from the main tank and uses a water pump to send it back, creating a circulation of water that can be treated or conditioned.
A sump is used mostly for saltwater aquariums, but freshwater aquarium keepers are also keen on the idea – anything to show that they are serious about the whole aquarium business.
Why is an Aquarium Sump Needed?
One of the main reasons to use a sump is to hide your filtration and other aquarium equipment out of view of your display tank. These mechanical contraptions are not the most pleasing things to look at and will appear totally out of place in the natural environment of your aquarium.
You want your aquarium to look the best right? That is where you put the majority of your effort.
Another thing a sump does is increase the total water volume of your aquarium. This has a host of benefits, such as,
- You can have a higher number of fish.
- With more water, it becomes easier to maintain the conditions in your aquarium, such as pH, temperature, oxygenation, etc.
- You can mitigate the effects of harmful substances by dispersing them throughout the water.
If you have more than one tank, an aquarium sump is a lifesaver as you can connect it to all the tanks, thereby centralizing the water maintenance. It can save you a lot of bucks on equipment as well.
Also, if your aquarium is quite large, a sump can make it easier to maintain. For example, you just have to clean the sump, not the whole tank (at least for some time).
Why You Should Prevent Aquarium Sump Overflows
You should not let your sump overflow. Under normal circumstances, it should not happen. Overflowing sump can cause the following issues.
Creates a Mess on the Floor
As you’d expect, water flowing over the sump can flood your floor. This is a messy situation you would not want to find yourself in. The real problem is when the water finds its way to an electrical appliance, which creates a risk of electrocution or fire.
Decreases Water Volume
Something that could keep aquarium owners up at night is their whole tank being drained because of a sump overflow. However, this is unlikely to happen, unless you have a really horrible setup. But it does decrease the volume of water available. Earlier we looked at how high water volume is beneficial, so conversely, a decrease in water volume is not something you would want.
How to Prevent Aquarium Sump Overflows: Use These Methods
Fortunately, it is quite easy to prevent your aquarium sump from overflowing. You can employ one or more of the following methods.
1. Use an Aquarium Overflow Box
An overflow box is a standard in most aquariums, regardless of whether you use a sump or not. This is because it can maintain the water level in your display tank.
The overflow box works as a tiny dam in your tank. When the water level in your tank rises, water falls into the overflow, usually through slits, which makes sure your fish doesn’t get accidentally drawn into it.
Water collected by the overflow will then be drained into the sump. The overflow makes sure that water from your tank doesn’t get drained completely whenever your sump overflows, as the water level goes below the overflow.
There are two main types of overflow boxes: internal and external. Internal overflow boxes are contained within the tank; the drainpipe goes through drilled holes at the bottom. External overflow boxes hang on the side of the tank wall; they siphon water and take it through the drainpipe.
2. Keep the Return Hose Near the Surface
The drain pipe isn’t the only way water can drain from the tank into the sump; the return pipe can also drain water should the pump in the sump fail. This can cause the sump to overflow while draining water from the display tank.
You can prevent this by keeping the return hose near the surface. There is no reason why the return hose should be anywhere lower since it is just an outlet.
Also, while you’re at it, keep the return hose some distance away from the drain pipe. If you keep them too close, you will be cycling the same water again and again, thus a big part of the water will go unfiltered.
3. Keep the Sump Water Level at 60%
You do not have to fill your sump all the way; you just have to fill it just enough so that the various equipment can function properly.
This way, even if the sump takes in more water than expected, it will not overflow. You can test how much water your sump can tolerate by turning off the return pump; if the sump does not overflow, all is well, if not, you may need to remove some water so that it doesn’t spill over.
4. Get a Large Sump Tank
Usually, the sump is a lot smaller than your display tank. However, you can do away with this convention. In fact, some aquarium keepers have sump tanks that are as large as the display tank.
Having a large sump tank means it can take in more water, provided that you follow the previous recommendation and keep the water level at around 60%.
The problem is the sump tank is usually hidden from sight – the larger it is, the harder it is to hide.
Summary
I hope by now you know how to prevent aquarium sump overflows. As a matter of fact, it is quite easy.
An aquarium sump is something that can greatly reduce the maintenance needed, especially if you have a large tank or multiple tanks. It can house your aquarium equipment and hide it from the view of your beautiful display tank.
As with any component, things can go wrong with the aquarium sump. An overflow is something that could go wrong; luckily, it is very easy to prevent – just employ any one of the above methods.
With these fixes, your aquarium will be running smoothly like a well-oiled machine – you can sit back and enjoy the view. Thanks for reading.
Sources:
https://www.thesprucepets.com/aquarium-sump-and-overflow-box-setups-2925894
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/md-2021-04-plumb-sump-basic-intermediate-advanced
https://www.swelluk.com/help-guides/how-does-an-aquarium-sump-work/
