Sump or No Sump???

S

super20

Guest
Converted a 55 gal freshwater tank to my first saltwater and my intention is to go reef. Tank isn't pre-drilled and space underneath seems pretty limited. It's been going for 2 weeks now (LS, LR & a Rena Filstar cannister filter). Next on list is Skimmer and more LR.
QUESTION: Given the limited space and no pre-drill (also no basement or any of those types of options...) would you recommend that I just use a HOT protein skimmer? (I am looking at the AquaC Remora) OR would you recommend somehow making the best use of the existing space underneath the tank with some kind of DIY sump that will maximize the space I have and getting the tank drilled or otherwise making the whole sump thing work... I'm not totally clear on all the moving parts for having a sump (overflows, home made plumbing etc.).
Also, should I ditch the Filstar? It's quiet & works well but I don't see people using this type of filter.
Any help/advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Danny
 
lesleybird

lesleybird

Active Member
Hi, I have a little 40 gallon with a Rena Filstar filter. I love that filter. I bought the Marineland biowheels Pro 60 I think it is called, and hooked them up to the return of the Filstar cannister return. These are only about 40 dollars on line and you can hook them up to the return of any brand of cannister filter for a wet/dry biofilter purpose. I also use a hang on skimmer. One does not have to use a sump type filter in a reef at all. I would not worry if you do not have the room. I mainly have fish in my tank and a few brain corals. I special ordered an Oceainc 65 gallon pre-drilled reef ready tank with the overflow box last week. I am going to ditch the Filstar and use the Tidepool 2 filter instead. The Tidepool is the only wet/dry sump type filter that I found that had enough mechanical filtration that I need for a fairly large fish population. I would get a bigger tank than the 65, but the space is only three feet wide where I need to place the tank.
The only problem that I found with not having an overflow is my current tank always has a film on the water surface that won't go away no matter how many water changes that I do. I think the continious overflow will get rid of the problem. I guess you could get a hang on type overflow with a sump type filter under the cabinet if there is room. The only thing that I worry about with the hang on overflows is what may happen if they loose syphen.
Good luck, Lesley
 
the claw

the claw

Active Member
I like the sump/overflow option because (1)you can get rid of that surface scum on top of your water. (2)It gives you space to get your heater out of your display, (3) It helps oxygenate your water, (4) it is a good way to add a refugium, no matter how small, that always benefits your tank, and I'm sure there is more...
oh yeah, the rushing waterfall sounds and toilet flushing sound, adds to the realism of your reef scene. (Just kidding)
 
S

super20

Guest
So it sonds like I could go without a sump (hang on skimmer) and be fine but a sump would be better.
Since the tank is not pre drilled what are my options? I'm not sure exactly what a pre drilled tank looks like so I don't know if modifying the tank after the fact is even a possiblity... the other option is I suppose to have some kind of hang on that siphons water to the sump. But if I do that isn't that pretty much the same as getting a hang on skimmer? (from an aesthetics point of view)
Thanks again,
Danny
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
super
If you can allow a little pride, you might check out my "my dyi refug" in the diy section. I posted some diagrams of the plumbing and the hang on overflow. The system was all homemade except the powerhead and overflow.
 
joker

joker

Member
definitely go to the DIY forum and search for sump or refugium. I built mine from scratch and have had no problems whatsoever. If you already have your tank filled, then I would get a HOB overflow Box. I have had the power go out several times, and have not had any probs with anything overflowing the tank or sump. Good Luck
 
aileena

aileena

Member
I have a 60g with a hang on the back remora pro w/ a mag 3 pump and no sump...I think that sumps are definetly cool and are way more beneficial, however I dislike the waterfall sound that the overflow makes. Also I dislike all the plumbing thats involved. there is so much water flow that something is always bound to go wrong (IMO). But a lot of people keep the sumps and they work great w/o problems.
In my tank the heater is hidden behind the live rock and the cord is behind the mag pump on the skimmer so that you really don't notice it. I have 4 maxijet powerheads for current, but even tanks with sumps need extra current from powerheads...The only problem that I really have is from the damn micro bubbles from the skimmer...I got the overflow box for the skimmer but it takes up half the 60g tank...its absolutly ugly...I'll try and get some pics..
 
elitsoh

elitsoh

Member
can help to stop the noise with a bio ball ,in the feed tube to the sump......and not alot of plumbing require
 
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