Will a sump increase stocking levels?

Daniel.DWUW · 03/27/2014, 01:13 PM

As the title says, will a sump increase stocking levels in the main display tank?
I've been using AqAdvisor, and the fish I want make my tank slightly over stocked, but if I add my sump size on then my tank is good for the stock.

ca1ore · 03/27/2014, 01:18 PM

It's a bit complicated. From a bio-load perspective just having more water doesn't really buy you any more capacity. Now, if that sump contained live rock, was lit, and you increased the size of your skimmer, then the filtration would be increased and could support a higher bio-load. None of that increases space or swimming room in the display, however, and it is that space that is often the limiting factor for stocking levels.

Daniel.DWUW · 03/27/2014, 01:26 PM

The sump will be lit with live rock and macroalgae, I'm still deciding on a skimmer, but I'm going for one that can handle twice the size of my tank

PatW · 03/27/2014, 05:47 PM

Remember fish need a certain amount of space, territory and little bolt holes in the rock work to call their own. Sure a large sump, refugium, live rock and macro algae will help. But if one fish really decides that a large chunk of the tank is his, all of it will go for nought.

crissie · 03/27/2014, 05:52 PM

Pretty much what they said.

You can increase the bio-load by having a well kitted sump but that makes no difference if you on't have enough swimming space in the tank or if the fish aren't compatible.

You can post on the thread Snorvich runs and he'll be able to tell you if you're over stocking or not. Completely forgotten what the thread is called though!

03/27/2014, 01:13 PM	#1
Daniel.DWUW Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: St. Helens, UK Posts: 53	Will a sump increase stocking levels? As the title says, will a sump increase stocking levels in the main display tank? I've been using AqAdvisor, and the fish I want make my tank slightly over stocked, but if I add my sump size on then my tank is good for the stock.

03/27/2014, 01:18 PM	#2
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	It's a bit complicated. From a bio-load perspective just having more water doesn't really buy you any more capacity. Now, if that sump contained live rock, was lit, and you increased the size of your skimmer, then the filtration would be increased and could support a higher bio-load. None of that increases space or swimming room in the display, however, and it is that space that is often the limiting factor for stocking levels. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/27/2014, 05:52 PM	#5
crissie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: England Posts: 385	Pretty much what they said. You can increase the bio-load by having a well kitted sump but that makes no difference if you on't have enough swimming space in the tank or if the fish aren't compatible. You can post on the thread Snorvich runs and he'll be able to tell you if you're over stocking or not. Completely forgotten what the thread is called though! __________________ I am female!

03/27/2014, 01:26 PM	#3
Daniel.DWUW Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: St. Helens, UK Posts: 53	The sump will be lit with live rock and macroalgae, I'm still deciding on a skimmer, but I'm going for one that can handle twice the size of my tank

03/27/2014, 05:47 PM	#4
PatW Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 275	Remember fish need a certain amount of space, territory and little bolt holes in the rock work to call their own. Sure a large sump, refugium, live rock and macro algae will help. But if one fish really decides that a large chunk of the tank is his, all of it will go for nought.