Glossary

sump

An additional tank connected to the display aquarium normally used to house filter media and other equipment.

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Related terms

automatic top off
Automated system for adding water to an aquarium or sump in order to maintain a constant water volume. Particularly important in marine aquaria where salinity increases if water is allowed to evaporate without being replaced.
chemical filtration
Water filtration method by which dissolved chemicals are removed via use of synthetic adsorbents, ion exchangers, insoluble oxides, zeolite, or activated carbon, these usually being placed within the filter unit or sump.
filter medium
Material in a mechanical or biological filter trapping suspended particles or providing a suitable surface for colonisation by beneficial organisms.
heater
Thermostatically-controlled device used to maintain constant water temperature in an aquarium or pond, also known as a heaterstat. Depending on design, may be installed submersed within the aquarium, sump or substrate (see heating cable) or inline with tubing attached to an external filter. Some types of the latter also have a heating element built in.
wet/dry filter
Type of filter normally placed under the aquarium, and often home-made. The basic premise is that water trickles vertically downards through separated compartments containing mechanical and biological filter media with spaces inbetween so that it is also exposed to the air briefly. It then collects in a base chamber or sump from where it is pumped back to the main aquarium. There are many commercial designs available, some of which are more effective than others. Not popular in marine reef aquaria due to the associated accumulation of nitrates as by-product.

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