Sump or Not???

[wrasse man]

I have a 90 gal. reef tank that has been running for over 2 years without a sump. I have this crazy notion that all of a sudden I need one. I am considering tearing down my tank and installing the sump. What do you think??? I want to install a 30 gal. sump and there is no way I can fit it under my stand without moving the tank to do so. 90 gal. tank 150 lb. live rock 120 lb. live sand

 

[matti070]

ok maybe you should put the fish in a holding tank, but that would stress them out badly. you should look it up onthe web or a library.

 

[thomas712]

Welcome to the board Wrasse Man
Do you feel that something is wrong with the tank now?
Whats your bio load like? fish, corals.
Sounds like you might have the natural thing going like the Berlin style of tank.
A sump or wet/dry will add volume to the tank and may give you better filtration. It will also give you a place to put your heater, skimmer, carbon, and other equipment, thereby uncluttering the view of the main display.
Thomas

 

[wrasse man]

Thanks!!! It's good to finally have a place to go to where everybody shares your same interests!!! I had a diatom outbreak and I blamed it on the fact that my bak-pak just isn't cutting it any more. My water is super, I don't overfeed, I have new pc's and all water changes are done with r/o water. So yea... I'm blaming the diatom bloom on my protein skimmer. It seems like all of the really good skimmers are made to go in a sump. I don't have enough room behind my tank either to use some of the other hang ons.

 

[thomas712]

Can't blame your skimmer for the Diatoms. They are probably coming in on;
Your water supply, food, or possably your additives, or even your salt mix.
Here is a link about diatoms
http://www.aquariuminstruments.com/g...es/diatoms.htm
Hope that helps
Thomas

 

[wrasse man]

GREAT ARTICLE!!! I guess ya learn something everyday!!!

 

[harrysreef]

Thomas that was a good article thanks for the link. Good luck with your problem Wrasse Man