What is a sump?

Question

.........the one that has to do with fish

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sump

Answer 2

it is a wet dry filter system that relies almost exclusively on bacterial filtration. They hold a considerable amount of water. A must or a saltwater tank though very useful for large freshwater tanks.

A marine sump is filled with live rock with is the main filter for the system. A freshwater sump is filled with bio-balls or a similar substrate. They work really well to stabilize a tank. Be sure the pump works properly or much of your tank's water will end up on the floor.

Answer 3

basically in some tanks the water overflows into a container or pipe which then drains the water to a smaller tank (hidden). this smaller tank is the sump. In this smaller tank the water is filtered heated, medicated, etc. This keeps unsightly stuff (heaters, filters) out of the view of the main tank and keeping it looking "prettier"

Answer 4

A low-lying place, such as a pit, that receives drainage.
A cesspool.
A hole at the lowest point of a mine shaft into which water is drained in order to be pumped out.
The crankcase or oil reservoir of an internal-combustion engine

Answer 5

Sump

A collection container mainly used in marine tanks. As the water leaves the tank, it is delivered via gravity to a sump, which is often nothing more than a small aquarium. From there, it is pumped through the filtration system and delivered back to the aquarium.
www.aqualink.com/basic/zglossa.html

The bottom of a shaft, or any other place in a mine, that is used as a collecting point for drainage water.
www.netl.doe.gov/coal/Coal%20Primer/glossary.html

A pit or tank that catches liquid runoff for drainage or disposal.
www.sbcfire.org/hazmat/env_terms.asp

A pit in the basement floor into which water drains to be pumped out with a sump pump.
www.sherlockhomeinspectors.com/glossary.html

A pit or pool for draining, collecting, or storing water. A chamber which provides water to the pump.
www.alpha-plumbing.com/plumbing-terminology-s.htm

An artificial pit used to collect liquids from the surrounding vicinity for later disposal. The sump may be designed to capture the liquids or to drain the liquids into the ground.
www.deq.state.or.us/wmc/cleanup/glossary.htm

a hole to collect run-off
www.cr.nps.gov/hps/gis/reports/gloss/glossary.htm

A small cistern used to collect excess water from around a footing or structure.
www.hribar.com/glossary/construction/S.html

A place where water completely fills the cave passage
www.cavinguk.co.uk/book/index.php

A water reservoir below a tank (usually a marine aquarium) through which water is circulated by means of gravity and a pump. The sump can be used to house filters, heaters, and other equipment to keep them out of sight. In addition, it increases the total water volume of the aquarium system and thus helps to stabilize it. Some maintenance tasks can be performed in the sump, reducing the need to disturb the main tank and its inhabitants.
www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_glossary.php

a depression or trench constructed to collect drainage of water or spilled oil from storage, transfer or unloading areas.
www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6sf/sfsites/oil/acryglos.htm

A reservoir in the mines for the collection of water, from which it is pumped.
www.readinganthracite.com/glossary.htm

An excavation made underground to collect water, from which water is pumped to the surface or to another sump nearer the surface. Sumps are placed at the bottom of a shaft, near the shaft on a level or at some interior point
www.mines.edu/Research/space/terms.html

the space in the engine block under the crankshaft into which the oil drains from its various applications.
www.autocenter.com/about/

A built in basin containing a pump that continually removes groundwater from outside your basement’s walls and floor, discharging the water away from your house. It prevents water from inundating your basement.
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/youyourland/glossary.htm

a pit or tank-like depression or receptacle into which water is drained. The water may then be pumped or siphoned for removal
www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-34-343/gloss.htm

Drainage ditch at the bottom of the trench which seldom existed because of the serious mud problem faced on the Western Front. (see trench diagram B)***
www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/2354/directory.html

A small pit at the lowest point of a mine or excavation into which water can drain and out of which water can be pumped.
www.dreamghar.com/sdic.html

A water collector on the undersidexxxxxtop too of a cooling tower. Occasionally mounted remotely. A basin.
www.ctdoc.com/Definitions.html

an intentional depression around a roof drain or scupper that serves to promote drainage.
www.waynesroofing.com/glossary5.html

A low-lying area with no drainage outlet.
ladpw.org/wmd/HomeOwners/glossary.cfm

A catch basin for the drainage of a mine. The water is pumped from the SUMP to the surface , usually in stages.
laurentian.ca/engr/people/lrudd/MININGDEFANDTERMS.htm

means any pit or reservoir that meets the definition of tank and those troughs/trenches connected to it that serve to collect hazardous waste for transport to hazardous waste storage, treatment, or disposal facilities; except that as used in the landfill, surface impoundment, and waste pile rules, "sump" means any lined pit or reservoir that serves to collect liquids drained from a leachate collection and removal system or leak detection system for subsequent removal from the system.
www.setonresourcecenter.com/cfr/40CFR/P260_007.HTM

pit into which ground drainage or laundry discharge collects for removal by the sump pump. In terms of actual components, this normally means the liner or the pit.
www.alliancereps.com/glossary/plumbing_terms3.asp

an oil reservoir in an internal combustion engine
a well or other hole in which water has collected
cesspool: a covered cistern; waste water and sewage flow into it
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

A sump is a low area that collects an often-undesirable liquid(s) such as water or chemicals.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sump