Sump, Ref.,Wet/Dry?

[toddius]

I am setting up a 55gal reef tank and was wondering what everyones thoughts are about the type of sump or refugim? I should use or should I use a wet/dry filter in the sump? What are the pros and cons and what are everyones experiences. I just want my tank to have the best. Thanks everyone!

 

[broomer5]

Well no one replied so I will give it a stab.
A sump is a great addition to your 55 gal tank. I personally run sumps on both my tanks and like them a lot.
What are your plans for your reef tank ?
Just corals - no fish - corals and fish, LR and fish, .....etc.
Once you know your "plan" you may find it easier to decide and get more replys here
For a reef with corals and a couple of reef safe fish, if you are using a lot of live rock - 50 pounds plus, and a deep live sandbed and clean up crew, then I would not use the wet/dry.
Just get a good protein skimmer in your sump, check your water often and do necessary water changes.
If you are going to have a lot of fish - and not going with a lot of LR and sand, then get the wet/dry.
I could go on like this for a long time, with various combinations and set-ups, so why don't you let us know what you are planning on down the road with your 55, and I'm sure we can offer some replys.
Brian

 

[toddius]

The tank I am asking about is a 55gal with 125lbs LR and I am planning on a reef tank. It's been up for 10 weeks now and has clean up crews in it. 1 coral beauty and 3 damsels. I currently have a sump and 2 skimmers but am trying to decide if I should build a refugium or just the plain sump. Also is a fluidized bed filter ok for a reef tank? Thanks for the reply.

 

[marine qa]

If you have a 55g w/125lb LR and skimmers, I wouldn't imagine you would need any further filtration. I might just put some of the LR into a sump with caulerpa and leave more room for fish/inverts. I recently did this and it works well with 50% less LR than you have.
What kind of substrate do you have? What is in your sump now?

 

[toddius]

Right now in my sump I have one of my skimmers and a fluidized bed filter also a wet/dry but everyone says to get rid of it. Thinking about building a refugium for it instead, any thoughts on them? Unfortunatly I have cc for my substrate and have heard good and bad both ways on it.

 

[txduckhunter]

Toddius, I understand from some other posts that you are from around Beaumont. If you were to give me an email address I could give you a name and phone number of a guy in Orange that I trade with. He does quite a bit of custom build and has his own lfs that specializes in sw.