Reef ready tank, is it really worthy?

[ppatrick_reef]

Hello everyone,

I'm planning to setup a saltwater tank. The tank size I'm planning to buy is 75 gal. Should I get a pricey reef ready or regular tank? I don't like the idea of having the big overflow columns in the tank. It takes up the valuable tank space... Does the reef ready really worth the extra bucks? Should I get a HOT or an add on overflow? Or if I get a good protein skimmer and a good filter, do I still need to have this overflow thing? Please advice this newbie!


Thank you,
Patrick

 

[jdeets]

When I started reefing, I had a tank with no sump.

Once I got ready to get a larger tank--I definitely got a reef-ready tank so I could have a sump.

Having a sump will give you a lot of flexibility, with respect to equipment, etc. I would certainly recommend, if you're about to build a system, that you incorporate a sump into the system.

RR may cost more, but IME the money was well-spent.

 

[Meloco14]

Hi Patrick, the reef ready tanks are great for someone who is new to the hobby and wants something "plug and play" so to speak. The first thing you need to decide on is whether you want to use a sump or not. If you don't want a sump then you have no need for overflows (unless you want a refugium or closed loop but that's another thread). You can buy a standard non drilled tank and use a HOB skimmer with pumps and heater inside the tank. You sounded concerned about tank space, so you probably don't want to go this route with all the equipment inside the tank. So then you go back to having a sump. Now you can buy a standard tank and drill and install your own overflows, or you can buy reef ready. It is completely up to you. The advantages of drilling your own overflows would be custom placement and size, and possibly cheaper. The reef ready is, as I said, more or less plug and play. I would advise against using an HOB overflow, as they can potentially cause lots of problems. Since this is a new tank, you might as well drill it rather than taking the chance on an HOB overflow. HTH

 

[Anonymous]

Spend the money and get reef ready. It will be more set up cost, but in the long run it will save you money ans headach. Without a sump you will need to have lots of ugly hang on tank gear. Or you can go with a HOB overflow which will probably cost as much if not more than the additional cost of a reef ready tank. Not to mention HOB overflows are not all that reliable.

 

[ppatrick_reef]

Thanks for you guys advise. So I should go with RR tank if I plan to use the sump. What are the advantages of having the sump? Is it enough to use the protein skimmer and a good filter instead of having the sump? Please advise.


Patrick

 

[jdeets]

Patrick--room for equipment. You won't have equipment hanging off the tank or in the tank--it will all be in the sump. Definitely gives you more flexibility.

 

[Meloco14]

Yes, the sump itself is not a filter. It is a place for all of your filtration equipment. With or without a sump you should have a heater, good protein skimmer, and a pump for water flow. You can do this by getting a skimmer that hangs on the back of your tank, putting the heater inside the tank, and putting powerheads inside your tank. - Or - you can do this by putting a skimmer inside your sump, putting the heater inside your sump, and using the return pump from your sump as the main source of water flow in your tank. So as you see there is no difference in filtration. The difference is that the equipment is hidden in the sump, and not visible in the display tank. Now, aside from that major difference, the sump has other benefits. First of all, it adds more water to your system. This is good because it reduces the effect of nutrient buildup in your system. A sump also makes maintenance easier, with all the equipment in an easy access spot where you dont have to put your hands in the tank and potentially bump corals or liverock. It also makes water changes easier. It also provides room for a possible refugium, and provides space for other devices like calcium reactors. You can have a very successful aquarium without a sump, but a sump makes things a whole lot cleaner and easier. I personally do not have a sump because I don't have the room for one, but I really wish I did. HTH

 

[jdeets]

Well-stated, Meloco14. I shouldn't have been so lazy in my post. :wink:

I have a 180g display tank and a 29g sump. I do water changes every 2 weeks--but just 15 gallons. I am able to do the water change entirely in the sump without having to siphon from the display tank. It definitely makes it easier.