Newb needs opinions

[WannaBeReefer]

Hi,

Mr. Newb here!

I am researching for a new 90 gal tank and need some advice on a sump. Everything else in marine land is easy to find and narrow down to a few products but this sump thing is less obvious. I hate to purchase something and regret it a year later. I plan on using live rock in the tank. Reading that with the Berlin method, it is the rock and skimmer that do all the heavy lifting (correct? or should I read another 4 books ), I want to get a good Protein Skimmer Euro Reef CS6-1 :?: . I seen a Berlin Sump at Marinedepot.com and was wondering if that would be good?

http://www.marinedepot.com/a_fl_bs.asp?CartId=

BS-1 or BS-2 for a 90 gallon tank or none

I was thinking of the Sedra 3500 for a pump.

One other question, I would like Fiji rock and I have read approx. 1 pound per gallon, is that 1 pound per water gallon after rock displacement or is it 90 gallon tank 90 pounds of rock? Will Live sand cut down on that number?

Thanks for helping,

PS the site is great, been reading for 3 days

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome Mr. Newb!

Correct on the assumptions about filtration. Good water movement and of course lighting is critical also.

That is a great skimmer selection. I have always used a plain old rectangular aquarium for a sump, although the one you picked out looks like it has some advantages.

The one lb per gallon is refers to the size of the aquarium; or in other words the displaced amount is not considered. That is an approx number of course, some people like less, some more.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, what Dan said..

Also, if it were me, I'd take some time and sketch out what all I wanted to get out of my sump first and then decide if I really wanted to go with one of those.

Personally, I'm at a point with my tank where I want to put a 'fuge in the sump and looking at those two, the pre-cast baffles are probably going to get in my way..

But that's just me.. - You probably have other ideas.. - And you're certainly off to a better start than I had! :wink:

 

[WannaBeReefer]

Well, I did think of the plain old tank but got a little nervous with the plumbing and the possibility that 90 gallons of water could flood my house.

Grateful.. thanks for the insight, thats why I posted, I wasn't sure what I may want in the future, I would like to buy it once. I really do not think I would go with the 'fuge in the sump, but who knows in the future. What are you looking at now? I looked at a bunch and really do not have a clue on what to buy.