filter question

[oceanparadise1]

okay i have a 55 gallon reef with no sump

for filters im using an aqua c remora protien skimmer with mj1200
and emp 400, two power heads and about 100ish pounds of live rock


my question is do i really need to have the emp 400 or can i remove it bc i think its putting particles back into my tank, but im not sure i have alot of corals and about 6 fish what do u guys think?

 

[kar93]

emp 400?

Edit - Are you talking about the emperor 400? You could either buy or mod the emp into a HOB fuge, IMO/E fuges are alot better and more beneficial for reef tanks.

 

[weluvfish54]

throw the hang on away, but id get a sump.
save ur time and money now...
and in my opinion u cannot go filter-less even with a skimmer.

 

[oceanparadise1]

how do i turn it into a fuge?? and i dont have much room for a sump maybe a 10 gallon how would i go about this im new to the sump things

 

[oceanparadise1]

and yes it is a emperor 400

 

[weluvfish54]

a 10 gallons fine...

 

[oceanparadise1]

so now where do i start lol what do i need

 

[chrismunn]

get a hang on back external overflow box, some tubing, and a pump to return water into the main tank. some glass pieces to creat a bubble trap in the sump, some cheato and a small screw in pc light. thats it

 

[oceanparadise1]

hmmm that doesnt seem to bad at all do u have any pics or any thing like i said im a newbie at this stuff

 

[weluvfish54]

just grab a small flourescent light fixture for the refug.
no need for pc.
10 gallon, external overflow box, hoses that go to and from, they sell the sump/refug that u could use that comes with everything...could do miracle mud to help out also...

 

[kar93]

This page should help:
http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

 

[oceanparadise1]

i dont want to be a pain but does anyone have a list of where i can get stuff from or what exactyly i need kinda on a tight budget but idk willing to do what ever to help my tank out! lol but anything like a list would be nice!

 

[oceanparadise1]

thanks guys!