55g reef set-up?????

[CinciCobra]

Hi there, new to the board. Great board too by the way.

On to the questions, I am setting up a 55 gallon reef tank later this year and am doing mass amounts of info gathering before I invest anything in the gear aspect of it.

First, I currently have a 30 gallon f/o saltwater and a 55gl freshwater (which will be the reef thank). Both have been extremely successful for the last 2 years. When I build the 55 the 30 gallon is going to disappear as well, so I will have access to the equipment that is on it.

Basically I am debating on whether to install a sump type system w/ a hang on overflow. I have read both good and bad about that. I have 2 fluval 304's that I am wondering would make great pumps for going to the sump and as a return pump. The media chambers could be filled with bio-balls as well, but is this necessary with all the live rock?

Secondly, is a sum really needed? If I use the 2 304's on a reef tank together, will this be enough filtration (w/o carbon of course) and a hang-on skimmer?

Lighting is already decided on: I am going with a power compact set up w/ moon lights installed as well.

Thanks for your help and time.

Joe

 

[Len]

Hey Joe,

Sumps aren't necessary, but they do provide utility that some reefkeepers find indepensible. Some types of equipment such as calcium reactors are harder to install without a sump. What it comes down to is Sumps provide a space to "hide" all your equipment, allows flexibility and room for additional equipment (Ca reactors, water top-off dosers, etc), and provides additional water volume (always a good thing).

On the other hand, a hang-on skimmer (with or without the canister filters) is easier to set up and works effectively. Hang-on overflows have the possibilty of "breaking" or clogged siphons, both of which can result in flooding. A sumpless system avoids this potential problem. You can make flooding less of a possibity in a hang-on overflow style system by using a float switch, but there will always be a chance (float switches aren't 100% reliable either). If your tank was "reef-ready" (ie, comes with an overflow box within), definitely go with a sump. But since yours is not, it's a toss up that you'll have to decide.

BTW, no bioballs are needed in the canister if you choose to use it. Fact is, you can run it empty and use it as merely a circulation device. Nothing wrong with high quality carbon either.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Cinci a couple of anecdotal observations from me:

- In addition to everything else sumps provide better gas exchange / oxygenation of water and make it easier to add top off water and supplements.

- Canister filters are great for water movement and in addition to carbon I had success on my old nano putting live rock rubble in a few of the trays (I had a small fluval) and got some wicked sponges growing in there after a few months - kind of like a mini cryptic zone.

- If you go with a hang on skimmer my reccomendation is the Aqua C Remora - excellent performance for the money and simple to adjust!