What Is a Sump?
A sump is a second tank, usually below the display in a cabinet stand, that water drains into and gets pumped back up from. Rather than cramming filtration, a skimmer, dosing equipment, and a heater into the display tank itself, a sump moves all of it out of sight and out of the way.
Why Reef Keepers Use Sumps
Beyond hiding equipment, a sump adds total system water volume, which dilutes waste and buffers parameter swings compared to running the same tank without one. It also gives a dedicated space for a protein skimmer, refugium, dosing pumps, and a heater — all serviceable without disturbing the display — and creates a consistent water-level display by keeping evaporation and top-off changes confined to the sump’s return section instead of visibly changing the display’s water line.
Shop Marine Equipment & Accessories
Browse Marine Aquarium Accessories and Marine Aquarium Skimmers at IndieFur for sump-based system components.
