Do You Need a Sump for Your Saltwater Tank?

A sump is a secondary tank, usually located in a cabinet stand below the display, that houses equipment and adds total system water volume.

Benefits of a Sump

Sumps hide equipment like protein skimmers and heaters out of view, add water volume for greater overall stability, and provide a convenient place to perform water changes and dose additives without disturbing the display.

Do You Need One?

Sumps aren’t strictly required, especially for smaller nano tanks (see our nano reef guide), but they become increasingly valuable as tank size and equipment needs grow.

Basic Sump Setup

A typical sump includes a return pump, filter socks or media for mechanical filtration, and a dedicated chamber for a protein skimmer, as discussed in our protein skimmer buying guide.

Plumbing Considerations

Always plan for power outages by ensuring your overflow and return plumbing can handle a sudden pump stoppage without overflowing the sump.