Nice tank w/out sump/fuge
- Thread starter drewdog82
- Start date
zx636r
New Member
I've seen a quite few really nice tanks that weren't running sumps. Theres a 55 gallon reef tank at a LFS here that is beautiful. The tank runs nothing but a hang on back filter, power heads, and skimmer. I have to say though, I have enjoyed my tank more after I installed my sump. Its nice not to look at any equipment in your display tank.
drewdog82
Member
Originally Posted by zx636r
I've seen a quite few really nice tanks that weren't running sumps. Theres a 55 gallon reef tank at a LFS here that is beautiful. The tank runs nothing but a hang on back filter, power heads, and skimmer. I have to say though, I have enjoyed my tank more after I installed my sump. Its nice not to look at any equipment in your display tank.
How did you go about installing a sump???
I've seen a quite few really nice tanks that weren't running sumps. Theres a 55 gallon reef tank at a LFS here that is beautiful. The tank runs nothing but a hang on back filter, power heads, and skimmer. I have to say though, I have enjoyed my tank more after I installed my sump. Its nice not to look at any equipment in your display tank.
How did you go about installing a sump???
sagxman
Member
I am sure there are many who don't use sums or fuges. I don't think they are a requirement. They sure don't hurt anything. But, do you need one? I say no. My tank has been going well for about 3 years without them. I just use a HOB filter/skimmer combo and a PH. I'm changing things though. The skimmer portion of my filter is worn out and I am going to remove the filter materia from the filter and turn it into a mini-fuge. I just got a new HOB skimmer. I'm done with mechanical filtration, but I think a skimmer is a must for any reef tank.
zx636r
New Member
Originally Posted by drewdog82
How did you go about installing a sump???
My tank was just a 29 gallon and one night I decided I wanted to get a sump. So I ordered a lifereef overflow (the best in the hobby, IMO) and a AGA megaflow wet/dry sump. The lifereef box was wonderful and everything went together so easy. I moved my heater to the sump, moved my skimmer to the sump, ditched the hang on back filter and everything just worked out great. Well until the girlfriend saw how much I spent. lol (I'm joking, she was actually really cool with it but thats another story.)
The reason I said WAS just a 29 gallon, and the livereef box WAS wonderful is, I just started setting up a reef ready 55 gallon so no more overflow box for me. :cheer:
I do think you'd be happy when/if you set up a sump. It's just a nice place to hide equipment, do top offs, dose into, add water volume, surface skim your display tank, etc. The pro's REALLY out weigh the cons and I don't think I would build another system without one.
How did you go about installing a sump???
My tank was just a 29 gallon and one night I decided I wanted to get a sump. So I ordered a lifereef overflow (the best in the hobby, IMO) and a AGA megaflow wet/dry sump. The lifereef box was wonderful and everything went together so easy. I moved my heater to the sump, moved my skimmer to the sump, ditched the hang on back filter and everything just worked out great. Well until the girlfriend saw how much I spent. lol (I'm joking, she was actually really cool with it but thats another story.)
The reason I said WAS just a 29 gallon, and the livereef box WAS wonderful is, I just started setting up a reef ready 55 gallon so no more overflow box for me. :cheer:
I do think you'd be happy when/if you set up a sump. It's just a nice place to hide equipment, do top offs, dose into, add water volume, surface skim your display tank, etc. The pro's REALLY out weigh the cons and I don't think I would build another system without one.
drewdog82
Member
Originally Posted by zx636r
My tank was just a 29 gallon and one night I decided I wanted to get a sump. So I ordered a lifereef overflow (the best in the hobby, IMO) and a AGA megaflow wet/dry sump. The lifereef box was wonderful and everything went together so easy. I moved my heater to the sump, moved my skimmer to the sump, ditched the hang on back filter and everything just worked out great. Well until the girlfriend saw how much I spent. lol (I'm joking, she was actually really cool with it but thats another story.)
The reason I said WAS just a 29 gallon, and the livereef box WAS wonderful is, I just started setting up a reef ready 55 gallon so no more overflow box for me. :cheer:
I do think you'd be happy when/if you set up a sump. It's just a nice place to hide equipment, do top offs, dose into, add water volume, surface skim your display tank, etc. The pro's REALLY out weigh the cons and I don't think I would build another system without one.
Can you still do an overflow box for a 55?? Any suggestions??
My tank was just a 29 gallon and one night I decided I wanted to get a sump. So I ordered a lifereef overflow (the best in the hobby, IMO) and a AGA megaflow wet/dry sump. The lifereef box was wonderful and everything went together so easy. I moved my heater to the sump, moved my skimmer to the sump, ditched the hang on back filter and everything just worked out great. Well until the girlfriend saw how much I spent. lol (I'm joking, she was actually really cool with it but thats another story.)
The reason I said WAS just a 29 gallon, and the livereef box WAS wonderful is, I just started setting up a reef ready 55 gallon so no more overflow box for me. :cheer:
I do think you'd be happy when/if you set up a sump. It's just a nice place to hide equipment, do top offs, dose into, add water volume, surface skim your display tank, etc. The pro's REALLY out weigh the cons and I don't think I would build another system without one.
Can you still do an overflow box for a 55?? Any suggestions??
zx636r
New Member
Yes you can still do an overflow on a 55. They just work off of a perm siphon to carry water over the back wall of the tank and down to your sump. Then your return pump carries it back to your display tank. My suggestion on overflows is LIFEREEF. IMO they are the best on the market. Mine never had a hiccup let a lone broke siphon. When you read more into sumps, and overflows, you will start to hear stories about the power going out at someones house, the tank draining to its level below the overflow (which is fine) then when the power comes back on and the return pump comes back online the siphon won't start back up and the return pump will empty the sump into your display tank and overflow it into your floor. I've had the power go out, unplugged it myself a million times and never had one problem, or even worried about the box not working. It was worth the 110 dollars or so for he piece of mind. Hope this helps
zx636r
New Member
Originally Posted by SaGxMAN
You can do an overflow on any size tank, but I believe zx's new tank is drilled so he doensn't need the overflow anymore.
HA, beat me to it. lol
Sag is right, my new tank is drilled (reef ready) so I don't need the overflow box anymore. :cheer: I can't wait to get his thing running!!!
You can do an overflow on any size tank, but I believe zx's new tank is drilled so he doensn't need the overflow anymore.
HA, beat me to it. lol
Sag is right, my new tank is drilled (reef ready) so I don't need the overflow box anymore. :cheer: I can't wait to get his thing running!!!
stanlalee
Active Member
I dont have a sump. Just protien skimmer and hang on back. I cant see the effort and expense of buying a pump, light, tank and running piping ect on a 30 gallon. I've vasilated the idea since 10-15 gallon tanks cost next to nothing but I cant see it happening with this tank https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/210615/tank-photography-hard-to-believe-it-would-be-here
mudplayerx
Active Member
I have a flourishing 55 gallon reef tank without a sump or fuge. However I have two 170gph powerheads with homemade spraybars, two 330gph hob power filters (media removed and replaced with live rock), and a coralife super skimmer that pumps about 200gph.
wattsupdoc
Active Member
Did anybody mention the pro that it adds to your total water volume. which in a small system can be a great asset?. Not nessecary but beneficial? DEFINETLY! Adding 5 or 10 gallons volume to a 30 gallon tank would be a pretty desirably asset i would think and you can make one out of practically anything. so simple to have and so beneficial IMO>
saltfan
Active Member
I don't use either sump nor fuge. 135gallon tank. 4 home made returns off closed loops totalling an output in the 3000gph range. One Emperor 400, utilizing the meadia boxes, gots lots o stuff growing on them, and a skimmer. Have black backing on the tank so you can't see all the crap I have in the back.
ejensen
Member
You don't need to have a sump. The only reason for a sump is to put everything under the tank out of sight. I really hate the look of seeing equiptment all over the display tank. With the use of live rock and live sand you dont really need a filter except for water movement. I personally wouldn't set up without one.