Sumpless FOWLR

[js1976]

This is my first thread so nice to meet you guys and gals.
I am looking to start up a FOWLR 150-180 gallon aggressive tank and was thinking about going sumpless for a few reasons. First I will tell you a little about my previous experience. My first tank was a 90 gallon that I bought with the intentions of building a predator tank. First specimen was a snowflake that imediatly went into my overflow and sustained injuries that ended up being fatal while getting him out. After that, I built a reef tank instead. Enjoyed this tank for several years.
After an out of state move, I no longer have my 90 and want my predator tank. Was considering going sumpless for the simplicity and to reduce evaporation (I hate topping off water). I also spent many a afternoon netting brave fish that jumped into my previous overflow. When I covered it with eggcrate, I lost 2 psuedos that landed on top and roasted under the lights.
Equipment plans include a larger canister filter and 2 Remora Pro's with mag 3 pumps. Please critique away.

 

[jackri]

Keep up with your water changes if you do... You can always get an ATO (auto top off)for your topoff water -- a sump isn't going to add that much more to a 150-180 set up as you'll probably loose 2-4 gallons a day already.

 

[js1976]

I assumed that a large part of my evaporation in my previous tank was due to the sump. Do you think I will have temperature issues with my plans that I stated above?
Also, an ATO is an option but I don't want tanks of water anywhere around my display tank. What are some of the ways people have designed ATO's?

 

[jackri]

Where would the temp come from? Your lighting demands shouldn't be that high so no excess heat there. Yeah I hate having a 5 gallon bucket of topoff water next to my DT -- I need another cabinet to hide that and my halide ballasts I think (sump takes up DT cabinet).

 

[js1976]

I can assume from your response that temp shouldn't be and issue. Is this even with a glass top covering the tank?
What do you think of the filtration choices. I am very limited with HOB skimmers unless I hang something large (turbofloater, etc). This would really take away from the aesthetics. Remoras would be hard to notice but do you think two of these will do the job?

 

[oceansidefish]

I use a 5.5 gallon tank that sits next to my sump in the bottom of the stand. It has a pump that puts RO/DI in the tank for me as it evaps. I fill it about every 2 days or so.

 

[aquaknight]

If the reason you want to go sumpless is because of the fish jumping into the overflow, I would definitely reconsider. I would just some rigid plastic mesh (i.e. gutter guard) and glue that to the gap the overflow (bewteen those two panels). This will be vertical, instead of being a landing platform for the fish, and the fish will bounce right back into the tank. If you get a canopy, even better and cut the guard to the height of the inside of the canopy for a perfect fit.
I really don't think two remora would be able to keep up with the demands of a 150-180 predator tank. You would be doing a TON of water changes. Honestly, 25% a week, minimum.

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by AquaKnight
http:///forum/post/2928216
If the reason you want to go sumpless is because of the fish jumping into the overflow, I would definitely reconsider. I would just some rigid plastic mesh (i.e. gutter guard) and glue that to the gap the overflow (bewteen those two panels). This will be vertical, instead of being a landing platform for the fish, and the fish will bounce right back into the tank. If you get a canopy, even better and cut the guard to the height of the inside of the canopy for a perfect fit.
I really don't think two remora would be able to keep up with the demands of a 150-180 predator tank. You would be doing a TON of water changes. Honestly, 25% a week, minimum.
+1
Get a EUROREEF RS250 or PM redline RL200 or BETTER IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO DO SO i.e. bubbleking!!!!...don't be a cheap guy on the skimmer and have to buy twice... and if you go sumpless, your tank will look like crap... who wants a bunch of float switches and HOB stuff on their "show" tank??? Defeats the purpose IMO...

 

[js1976]

Originally Posted by Rotarymagic
http:///forum/post/2929822
+1
Get a EUROREEF RS250 or PM redline RL200 or BETTER IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO DO SO i.e. bubbleking!!!!...don't be a cheap guy on the skimmer and have to buy twice... and if you go sumpless, your tank will look like crap... who wants a bunch of float switches and HOB stuff on their "show" tank??? Defeats the purpose IMO...
I could spend less on an RL200 than I would with my previous idea of using 2 Remoras. You have much experience with these?

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by js1976
http:///forum/post/2929868
I could spend less on an RL200 than I would with my previous idea of using 2 Remoras. You have much experience with these?
They work well... Euroreef is still better though. Make sure you try to go as overkill as you can on skimmin if you're going to stuff it with fish.ER RS250 is still better than the RL200 so you may need two redline series skimmers. Can always start with one though and buy another later... that remora is junk IMO. Bubbleking is rolls royce for skimmers and better than Euroreef as are Deltecs..

 

[js1976]

Originally Posted by Rotarymagic
http:///forum/post/2929904
They work well... Euroreef is still better though. Make sure you try to go as overkill as you can on skimmin if you're going to stuff it with fish.ER RS250 is still better than the RL200 so you may need two redline series skimmers. Can always start with one though and buy another later... that remora is junk IMO. Bubbleking is rolls royce for skimmers and better than Euroreef as are Deltecs..
Found a good deal on a Bubbleking 200 on ---- but would that be underrated?