Hi guys! I can't believe that this year is so close to the end, how are you? I'm sure you feel the same about this year, 2020 wasn't an easy year for all of us. I can't believe that it's already December! Today I've received a notice that my tank entered the waters of the USA and it should arrive at my house around 28th December! What great news! I just hope that it's delivered in time. So I'm checking one more time my list of the equipment to be sure that I didn't miss anything and that I have everything that I need to start the tank when it's here. While I was checking the equipment list, I thought that this would be great to share with you what I will have in my sump! Want to know more about?
Author:
As a lifelong aquarist, Yuliya has an endless curiosity about our underwater universe. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering, she transformed her passion into a successful career. While working at the Institute of Environmental Protection in Moscow, her passion for saltwater and reef aquariums only increased. Moving to the United States in 2013, Yuliya embarked on another impactful journey by sharing her unprecedented experience for all aquarium hobbyists ... Read More.
Why I'm looking for a sump?
When I first ordered my tank, I decided not to order a classic glass sump with it. When Giesemann tanks are very impressive and build quality is at the top level, their glass sump wasn't the most exciting piece of the equipment that I saw. So I've decided to buy one online later. I was sure that I would be getting a Synergy Reef sump like the one that we have for our clownfish breeding setup. Synergy Reef is a family business company, and they have fantastic acrylic sumps. I'm using their products for many years now.
But then several friends showed me their Reef Octopus sumps. And I was a little bit jealous. Not to be misunderstood, the Synergy Reef is fantastic, and its quality was at the peak. But the design was matching so well my Reef Octo skimmer, and Reef Octo return pump! And it was lovely to get all three pieces from the same brand. If you are a gamer like me, you know what does it mean to have a FULL SET equipped right? That's mean instant +100 to all your stats!
So I started my research on this subject. Thanks to November, the lovely Black Friday sales on CoralVue. In fact, Black Friday really caught me, and I decided to buy a Reef Octopus OS-36A sump. The discount was simply too attractive to resist, and what follows was pure satisfaction. And was a no-brainer as the saved amount will cover my expenses on the return pump. My expectations were not disappointed. All my other pieces of equipment are now in the same colour and style, and they result in perfect synergy! Just look at the photos!
Reef Octopus Sump Design Highlights.
In my new tank stand, I will have 65" x 19" of available space inside. Reef Octo Sump 36A dimensions are 35.83 "L x 18.11 "W x 15.75 "L - For me, it fits perfectly inside the stand without taking up too much space.
Furthermore, this sump contains a large freshwater reservoir (my personal favourite of 6.6 gallons), so I won't need placing another container along with the sump for ATO, and I will still have a lot of space left. The whole sump is solid acrylic construction, which makes it even more luxurious. Especially the double-layered red elements, they are fantastic! Like in all sumps there are several chambers to place a skimmer, return pump or filter socks.
Reef Octo Sump Features
- Red colour accents.
- A very solid acrylic construction.
- Adjustable water depth from 5.1" to 9".
- Protein skimmer (and/or reactor) chamber.
- Return pump chamber.
- Freshwater reservoir with lid for ATO of 6.6 gallons.
- Bubble-diffusing intake chamber with lid.
What else we can ask?
Reef Octopus - What do we know about this company?
High quality is not a surprise for anyone; Reef Octopus is a company with expertise. They stand for sustainable natural marine ecosystems. Furthermore, they are encouraged to meet customer needs, meaning by improving the environment for marine organisms and making customers happy. The company was founded in 2005 and can prove long years of experience. They act as a global player, being able to deliver to various countries. Also, they cover a wide range of protein skimmers, reactors, sumps, pumps, aquarium systems and other various products such as accessories for your skimmer, overflow boxes, filter socks and parts. The competitive advantage results from the fact that they became the first skimmer manufacturer in the world who produces their own skimmers and pumps in-house! Besides, they are now able to design and build commercial skimmer for public aquariums. Moreover, Reef Octopus stays on top of the market by constantly releasing new and updated versions of their products for your aquarium. A strong engagement in research, as well as development, is focused on creating new technology products that ensure a thriving marine ecosystem.
I'm super happy about the quality of this sump, but let me dive a little deeper into the equipment that I will be using in this sump. First of all, let's look at the skimmer that I've selected and why I selected this specific model.
Reef Octopus - My skimmer choice.
We all know that a skimmer is very important for your tank. Skimmers remove protein compounds and other organic matter before they enter the decomposition process into toxins. They act as the heart of the whole filter system. Please don't understand me wrong, you can sure have a thriving reef tank without a skimmer, but you'll have to perform water changes much more often. Do you really want to spend so much time? Also, you will spend a lot more money on the salt, especially when you have a large tank. This sump has enough space to place my skimmer. However, you always need to check the size of the skimmer chamber and your skimmer footprint size before buying, as it's possible that they won't fit. I love the fact of the adjustable water level from 5.1" all the way up to 9". So I'm sure that the water level is always at an optimum level so that the protein skimmer can work properly. One thing less to worry about! You do not have to buy an extra skimmer raising platform or build one from egg crates. It will also save you money and your nerves during the break-in period of the skimmer and in the future. Just adjust the water level for optimal level for your skimmer model and forget about. Sounds impressive, right? By the way, if you want to learn more about my skimmer selection, check out this full review of the Reef Octopus Protein Skimmer Elite 200SSS.
What return pump to use for your reef tank.
To keep the whole system running a return pump is of course also necessary. Right water flow is responsible for gas exchange, waste removal and transportation of food. I was surprised by the space the sump offered for the return pump, as you can almost put two of them inside. Reef Octopus provides one of the best return pumps on the market, when I'm a big fan of the Ecotech Vectra pumps, for this build, I'm using the Reef Octopus VarioS. As my tank will be around 200 gallons, I will be using the VarioS 8 model that is rated for up to 220 gallons. This model will be more than enough to provide the proper water flow for my system. The pump is equipped with a controller, but I will connect it directly to the Hydros WaveEngine that we've discussed with you in our previous article here. CoralVue HYDROS WaveEngine – All-in-one pump controller.
Also, you can find my full review of this excellent return pump for a reef tank here: Reef Octopus VarioS Return Pump Detailed Review With Photos.
I know what you want to ask me:
"What heater you will be using?"
I will be using two 600W Titanium Heater Elements. They fit a tank size of up to 200 gallons. So, in my opinion, it is the right decision running two heaters if one fails. Notice that the heaters will be connected to the Hydros Controller and mounted with a Zen Reef mount. Compared to classic glass heaters, titanium heaters are practically indestructible and will never shatter in your reef tank and can transfer heat through the body much faster. So if you're looking for a reef tank heater, be sure to check them out at BRS.
I have already mentioned some essential elements that fit well to the sump. However, some of you may have noticed that we've forgotten something fundamental. Keep in mind that all equipment that you bought for your beautiful reef tank will be not enough if you ignore bacteria. Several years of experience showed me that XPort BIO filtration brick is an amazing product. Eventually, the XPort BIO Brick is possibly the most natural way to build healthy bacterial colonies throughout your reef tank. Because a single block can manage up to 1,000 gallons of water, the majority of consumer reef tanks will only need one. But I'm a big fan of the bacterial surface and not planning using a large number of rocks in my main display, so I will be using two blocks in my sump.
Bio-filtration remains an effective methodology for modern reefer.
This sump is not constructed to have a refugium, but I'm always using chaeto in my reef tanks and this time it won't be an exemption. The ARID N24 Macroalgae Reactor from Pax Bellum will be responsible for the export of nutrients. If you're not familiar with Pax Bellum brand yet, let me be the first to introduce you to one of the greatest, and most wonderful, startups in the reefing community. Now, it's rare to come across a business that's not only competent of delivering stellar equipment but doing so with a keen aesthetic style. If you want to learn more about this beautiful piece of the equipment, please read our full review of it's little brother
Pax-Bellum ARID N18 Review – Exploring the Next Wave in Reef Care.
Carbon media is a very important part of your reef tank.
I know the list seems long when it comes to the point of equipment for the sump. But each piece of this puzzle is making your water parameters a little better and rising the chances of your success in this hobby. And one of them is a carbon reactor from BRS. It's affordable, easy to install and efficient. I use the reactor for carbon as I will need around 750ml of media replaced every 4 weeks. But if your reef tank is smaller or you don't want an additional piece of equipment under your stand, you can also use carbon in a mesh bag with the same success. But I will attach the carbon reactor to the wall with a separate small pump. I like it that way better.
I have to mention that all in all, the sump is super cool, but I was a little upset that it does not include probes and tube holders. This will force you to buy them separately. Don't worry; it will not affect your budget much because they don't cost a lot. But be ready to spend around $50 to $70 on top on them.
Reef Octopus - Cost Effective Solution with Fantastic Quality.
Furthermore, the sump is very practical. The purchase of an extra ATO reservoir is not necessary because the sump has one up to 6.6 gallons (25 litres). It should last you for about 5-7 days in regular evaporation rate for a tank of that size. It's also nice to know that the Reef Octopus OS-36A sump also has filter socks sockets, but it is on personal preferences. Personally, I'm not a fan of filter socks, and I think the skimmer, chaeto reactor, bio-filtration and carbon reactor will provide me with enough filtration to keep my nutrients and toxin levels in check. So I will just leave them empty without filter socks. But I'm sure many of you will appreciate the filter socks sockets very much because it's still a popular and effective way of filtration.
That was a lot of insights and information for you, so it's time to classify and summarize everything. There are many benefits of using a sump in your reef build, and that is why I highly recommend doing so. The new Octopus sump has definitely exceeded my needs, and it's a great choice for your tank as well. They have different size models, and I'm sure you will find one that will fit your next or current project. If I had a wish to improve the sump, I would add the probe holders and tube holders, in my opinion, each modern sump in this price range should have them installed by default. Still, high-quality standards are fulfilled. Reef Octopus is a fantastic company with some of the best products on the market. And their line of sumps proves it one more time.
Final Thoughts.
Talking about prices is for many of us is a very important part. I personally pay a little bit more to be sure of having the best quality. I don't want to have it replaced and buy another one because a cheaper version got a leak or cracked. The sump costs around $600, but I had the luck to get it with a discount. Still, the price is fair and corresponds to a high-class sump. Also, the fact that it has a large water reservoir makes the price even more reasonable. You save the money on buying an additional reservoir. If you include this into your calculation, you save around $200, if you look at the cost of a sump with the same size. With the purchase of this sump, you can almost call yourself a savings fox. The savings and especially the Black Friday sales allowed me to cover the costs for the return pump, and it's a massive plus for my current project and family wallet. If you are not satisfied with your existing equipment or need a larger sump with a water reservoir, I can make my recommendation here. I am very happy with the sump!
I hope I give you a good insight and bring you new ideas as this sump is my dream one. What's your favourite brand of the sumps, do you prefer glass or acrylic? Head over to the Reef Hacks Facebook page and send us a message. We will be pleased to hear your experience!
by Yuliya Ivanova for ReefHacks.
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