How to Install a Saltwater Aquarium Sump

Sumps are a great way to hide the equipment needed for a marine aquarium, reducing the mechanical clutter in your tank and increasing its visual appeal. Sumps increase water volume, diluting waste and increasing the livestock capacity of a saltwater aquarium. They are easily converted to refugiums for further filtration capacity at a later date.

Things You'll Need

  • Overflow box
  • 1- and 2-inch tubing
  • 5- to 10-gallon aquarium
  • Protein skimmer
  • Carbon filter bag
  • Thermometer
  • Aquarium heater
  • Return pump
  • Check valve
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the small aquarium below the saltwater tank.

    • 2

      Insert your heater, thermometer, protein skimmer and charcoal bag into the small aquarium. Position the charcoal bag under the inflow to filter large particles and reduce the incoming water's splash.

    • 3

      Install the pump. The pump will won't reach its overall rating because of the distance it must push the water vertically--you'll have about a 500-gallon-per-hour pump on most setups. Add an adjustable cutoff valve to the outflow tubing to ensure you don't pump too much water into the main tank and overflow it.

    • 4

      Add a check valve above the pump to prevent the return tube from draining water from the saltwater tank, in case of a power failure.

    • 5

      Fill the sump half full with saltwater and let it stabilize overnight.

    • 6

      Attach tubing to the overflow box, leading down to the sump. Put the pre-filter on the connector in the overflow box.

    • 7

      Prime the overflow box so water flows from the aquarium to the sump.