Upgraded to a 55...

[watevadog5]

not sure how many of you followed along on my 36 gallon thread but I recently upgraded to a 55 gallon bowfront, although I have not upgraded my filtration as of right now I am only running a hang on back skimmer with GFO inside. I have a very light bioload and all my tests come back very good. ( nitrates between 5 -10... not great but I'm amping up my water changes) I guess my question would be in time do you think I would need to set up a sump with an in tank skimmer? Anyone have a 55 without a sump? I'm about to switch over to IO reef crystals ... Anyone have experience,..good\bad?As always all input is welcome. Pictures to follow

 

[Cu455]

You don't need a sump. It does have a lot of benefits and some draw backs. You can get a good hang on back skimmer and refugium. Your nitrates aren't that bad. I personally like having a sumpless set up.

 

[watevadog5]

first off thank you for the quick response. I have a two chamber skimmer... The left is where I have the gfo which is tumbled by the tank water being pulled in... Other chamber I just have a filter sponge which I change regularly. If I put some cheato in the second chamber would that be beneficial?

 

[Cu455]

Do you have a picture? I don't think that is a skimmer. Maybe a reactor. Cheato needs light to grow. I am not sure you can provide it in a reactor. A picture will be very helpful.

 

[watevadog5]

Can't get a good picture due to the tank being close to wall. it is not a reactor as I do know what a reactor looks like. It is a CPR backpack skimmer. If you google it the image will come up when I received it I took out the media that it comes with so the other chamber is just empty. I sort of turned the first chamber into a reactor because I am using the intake to tumble the GFO, if that makes any sense to you... Hard to describe sorry

 

[Cu455]

I have seen people use that skimmer before but never really looked to much into them. It is a pretty cool idea to combine the skimmer with mechanical filtration.

If you are happy with you water quallity just leave everything. Adding a sump is all up to you. If you want to keep you tank simple skip on it, if not add one.

If you want to grow cheato you can use something like this. You will also get the benefit of a UV.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005G034FC/?tag=reefs04-20