About to purchase - Tank Advice...please

[ripley2112]

Hi there

I have had many years of salt water experience in the past ranging from reefs, octopi, inverts and shark tanks. I've been out of the hobby for a few years now due to a young family and would like to reinvest in the hobby. Due to space issues I'm looking to purchase a ClearForLife cube style tank aprox 24x24x24 - I believe this tank would be a good choice to introduce the family to the saltwater hobby. The overall plan is a light reef style tank with inverts live rock and sand.

I've always had overflows with sumps in my past reefs - the local dealer in town is trying to talk me into a hang on back filter system made by Via "something" (protien skimmer, UV str, filter) and a viaAqua canister filter for chem. I've always been a true believer of "you can't have too much filteration" - the proposed setup by my local shop just doesn't seem very efficient...

I'm open to any suggestions since I've been out of the hobby for several years - I just want to buy the right equiptment the first time. The stand for a cube tank is tight underneath so a sump setup will be creative.

Thanks - Chris

 

[Len]

I LOVE cube tanks Welcome back to the hobby Chris.

Your LFS is trying to sell you a ViaAqua hang-on back skimmer with built in filter compartment and UV. They aren't that great, to tell you the truth. I would rather have a simple sump and a high quality protein skimmer then the ViaAqua. You won't regret getting a sump with a Euroreef, Precision Marine Bullet, or AquaC skimmer. Truth is, I rather have a good hang-on back skimmer like the AquaC pro then the ViaAqua.

I'm actually not a subscriber of the "you can't have too much filtration" principle. I like to keep my tanks very simple and elegant. The only filtration I use is live rock, sand, skimmer, and occassionally high quality carbon or polyfilter (infrequently, perhaps run 2 weeks every 3 months). I have tried in the past but no longer use devices like UV or ozonizers. A balanced reef tank really takes care of itself very well. I think the most important aspect of maintaining good water quality is to make sure your incoming water is tip-top. A RO/DI filter for your tap is 100X more important then any UV, ozonizer, or carbon in my opinion.

The other major component where you should spend most of your money on is lighting. There's so many choices to choose from nowadays A calcium reactor also is highly recommended, though not absolutely necessary. This is another reason to go with a sump versus a hang-on back filter: more options for equipment additions like Ca reactors.

Hope that helps. When you set up the tank, make sure to share pics with us I really want a cube tank someday.

 

[cdeakle]

If you decide not to go sump and have to get a hang on skimmer I would suggest either the CPR BakPak or an AquaC.

RO/DI filter is a must.

 

[ghofmann]

Don't go with the Via Aqua multi skimmer it is a piece of crap. Not much different than a skilter wich is also junk. Use a sump and a good skimmer IMO a much better way to go.

 

[Anonymous]

Use a sump...it will allow for add ons in the future and you will regret not having one down the road.

Can you get that cube pre-drilled. That is much better, expecially if space is a concern, because you can back up a drilled tank 1 inch from the wall, whereas hang on stuff will make you keep a large apace behind the tank.


And, if you don't mind me asking, why a cube? Longer tanks make for better viewing, easier lighting, more livestock possibilities, and a better price for the volume I think.

I'm in love with bow fronts. They really cut back on the headache factor that we can get when staring at our tanks for 5 hours a day. :wink: