The main reason reef ready tanks exist is to give owners the chance to have a stunning aquarium with no equipment being shown. … Once the water flows into the overflow, it then drains down through the drainpipe into a tank sitting below the aquarium, hidden in the stand/cabinet. This lower tank is called the ‘Sump’.

What is the difference between a marine tank and reef tank?

But the main difference between a reef tank and a saltwater tank is pretty straightforward. A saltwater tank can be of different types, and a reef tank is one of them. That means a saltwater tank has varieties. But a reef tank is a specialized saltwater tank that is for corals, fish, and invertebrates.

Do you need a sump for a saltwater tank?

So, are aquarium sumps necessary for a saltwater fish tank? The answer is no, sumps are not an absolute necessity for a saltwater fish tank. There are many aquariums that are very beautiful and thriving without sumps integrated into their reef aquarium setup.