Need some help with setting up new tank...

[joe25703]

Ok so I have been successfully running saltwater tanks for 3 years now with HOB emporer filters. I have always been very disciplined about the amount of fish in my tanks and I think that has contributed to my success. Now I am wanting to do a larger tank, maybe a 72 bowfront or 75 regular or maybe even a 90 gallon. I have been told about the effects of wet/dry filters but I would like to hear from some of the people out there about what a good setup would be. I am not really into doing this tricked out custom system and more into just getting it running so I can enjoy my tank. I will plan on keeping probably 5 fish tops. 2 of which will be my true perc which and Coral Beauty who have both been with me for about a year now. Looking to add one medium tang maybe yellow or powder brown and some sorta bottom dweller maybe a long nose hawkfish or something and from there who knows might do another very small fish but who knows. So I am considering either running two emporer 400's on the tank which I like because of the ease of the system or considering a Reef Ready tank and taking a shot at a wet dry filter. Let me hear some responses of simple set ups for what I am looking for. Pretty much just looking for the sump, pump, and probably a protein skimmer. Thanks in advance.
Joe

 

[ejensen]

I like tanks with sumps. Mainly because you get to hid everying inside it and it adds water volume. As for a wet/dry. Its up to you. If you go with LR and LS all you would need is water movement. Just get an nice skimmer and you will be set.

 

[al mc]

In the long run you will be happier going reef ready with a sump. In a 72 bow I had at work for some time I did just that. Pulled the supplied bioballs out as they really are nitrate producers after the tank has been running for some time and put in rock rubble for the water to trickle through.
Consider an ASM 2 or 3 skimmer. These should fit in most commercially made sumps for a 72 or 90. Mag 9 or larger return pump.
While you want to just get up and go with this system, consider making your own sump out of acrylic. It is easier than you might think. Check out some threads here and do not make one without checking out melevsreef.com.
This guy has lots of DYI plans, with lists of what you need and pictures.
Also, sumps can be converted into refugiums with little difficulty and you hide all the equipment which allows for a 'cleaner' looking DT.

 

[eugenez_21]

Sump is the way to go for somthing bigger then 30g. I had a emperier 400 not to impressed with it. In the sump the plumbing that brings the water down into the sump, just put a FILTER SOCK over the opening of it. It does the same good a emperor does. Anyway i like the Aqua C Skimmers the Urchin Pro is my faverite. Like the poster above melvesreef is awsome at this stuff.