New guy, could use some help!

[Mxman38]

mxman, where abouts in NW Indiana are you? I'm in Lafayette, and if you're around here, our LFS isn't the greatest place to get information, or even equipment.

Also if you want a sump, I have an old 30g acrylic one here that I'm not using.

Im a little north of you in Crown Point... I would definitely buy it off you, my only concern is getting it to fit through the doors of my stand.

Honestly, i never truly understood how a sump worked, even after all the youtube vids... i need to do some research. sucks i just wasted money on a hang on protein skimmer that doesn't really work that well.

 

[Nonameben]

Basically, your sump adds water volume to the tank and gives you a nice place to hide everything. That way there isn't anything in the display tank. It also is a place where cleaning of water will happen with a protein skimmer and filter socks. On top of all that you have a refugium down there and grow macro algae and pods.

Water from your display tank drains into the sump. All that cool stuff goes on, then with a return pump, it feeds the water back into your display tank.

 

[Mxman38]

i will do some research tonight after work, thank you...

i am also having a hard decision on lighting... Do i do a t-5 48" 2 bulb system for $150... or do i spend $380 and get the quad t-5 with night lighting and timer?

i wasnt sure if he was just trying to sell me the most expensive one, i told him i wanted to start off in low light corals like mushrooms and stuff...

 

[Mxman38]

Ok guys/gals, heres a little update

I did the eshopps hob skimmer, and put a bio bag around it to minimize the micro bubbles for the next couple weeks for break in.
I ended up buying the T-5 lighting with time and whatnot, which is amazing not having to mess with it ever.
I ditched the glass top, and traded it for some coral because i could not open the lid with the new lighting...(ill order mesh)
Lastly, I picked up a fluval 306 filter waiting to go in tonight, which will replace my hang on whisper filter that i have had for years...

I ditched the sump idea because of several reasons, mainly because it wont fit through the cabinet doors... and i dont want to risk overflow.

 

[bishop40k]

MxMan, I'm gonna send you a PM with my contact information, never hurts to have another local contact in this hobby.

With a good sump set up you have very little chance of overflowing, and it's a great way to hide the heaters, and all that stuff. Only thing in my tank with a sump is the powerheads.