Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am designing my next system and I am considering the addition a sump tank. I am curious about how important having one is and well any dual purposes that they can be used for. My understanding is that it helps maintain a constant water level in the fish tank.

Hi VT i run a sump tank in my system and yes it maintains a constant level in your FT well mine changes 1-2 inches, i also have marron in my sump tank so its dual purpose for that reason. I did have yabbies in for a while which was also good i think you call them red claw over that way

Do you have any trouble with them getting out of the tanks. I hear the crayfish types are escape artists.

lol yes they are good at getting out i have covered the sump tanks to prevent them getting out so havent had one escape since covering the sump

I have STs on both my systems, they are necessary if pumping a significant volume of water (cf your FT volume) on timers, and give you a bit of leeway in topping up due to evaporation, transpiration etc. They can also absorb rainwater without causing a system overflow- depending on how you have them set up.
Another advantage is the extra volume of water can help reduce diurnal water temperature range, especially if you have them buried in the ground.

I recommend a sump as they actually simplify a system and reduce stress on your fish. However I do have one system that does not have a sump. 800 gallon fish tank (FT) with 10x100 gal growbeds (GB) and 2x100 gal deep water culture (DWC). I have automated valves to switch between three zones and I use flood and drain. Flood and drain allows rapid return of the water from the GBs to the FT and valves fill only a few GBs at a time. In this manner I minimize the water level changes for the fish and maintain a reasonable buffer for evaporation / top off.

My other system with a sump only sees water fluctuation in the sump tank, and does not need any special valves, etc. I can run flood and drain or constant flood - it doesn't matter.

I am looking for Sump Tank Supplier or Manufacturer in USA.
Can you suggest how to find them?

Yeah. i run a sump tank in my system.
Even have some cute little silver perch in there. Oh my, I hope they dont get sucked up the pump!

-K98

I've never really liked using sump tanks... And I'm not just trying to be different..lol

I don't use a sump in my large system (1000 gal) but it creates some challenges. I have to switch between 3 zones when filling the GBs to keep from drawing down the FT water too much. So for that I use a home built Arduino timer relay control and 3 motorized ball valves.

You really should use one. Great idea for safety

-K98

You do know who EB is Kiara?

Why?

Though that's perhaps a loaded question, pros n cons of sumps have been discussed many times. Aint no harm in designing/building/operating a system without a sump tank and that goes for all sizes of systems too.. Even my biggest system didn't technically have a sump.

Sumps are beneficial in flood and drain systems due to the fluctuation in water level and the need to contain all water in the event of a power outage or other malfunction.

Constant flood and DWC systems don't have the need for a sump since all the water has a place to be whether pumps are running or not, and only minor fluctuations occur due to water loss. These can easily be topped up with a float valve or similar method.