No sump

[grand reef1]

I'm not getting a sump because I dont have the money right know in this economy. So I'm just woundering if a power filter and a sea clone 100 protien skimmer would be enough for a 46 posibly a 50 gallon tank.

Dont tell me I need a sump because I dont have enough room for one.
And every single person at Pet advantage said I dont need a sump as long I have some good filters.

 

[Juruense]

I hear ya man, with the sump and overflow and return pump you are looking at some serious expense. Plus there is a greater chance of leaks when you are moving water between two boxes.

Make your main priority getting an oversize skimmer, get some circulation pumps, and some kind of enclosure to run carbon or polyfilter in and you should be good.

Many here run sumpless, here is my setup:

 

[billdogg]

Nope - don't "need" a sump. Would it make life easier? probably.

On that note, however, I have had my 60g cube running since 1992 with (GASP) no sump! I use a emperor penguin (dual biowheel) HOB, fluval 404 canister, and a TLF phosban reactor. I use 3 x 2' VHO bulbs for lighting, and sin of all sins, a glass top. It does limit somewhat the livestock I can keep, but the softies and mushrooms are doing great, and an oyster? that came in on a piece of liverock 15+ years ago about the size of a BB is now about 4" across. My Spotted mandarin is at least 3 years old now and doing quite nicely.

There are too many variables in this hobby (obsession) to say that you can't do something one way or the other. What works for me (or you) may not work for others, but that does not mean it does not work!

Good Luck!

 

[Aquarist007]

I agree that a sump itself is not essential--it is mainly for convenience to hid hob stuff on the display tank. Makes water changes easier ect ect.
When economic conditions improve for you--and hopefully they will you might want to consider a refugium. A refugium with cheato macro algae and deep sand bed will definetly add to your the biological filtration of your system by reducing nitrates and phosphates.

BTW
you don't have to spend alot of money on a sump---a plastic tote (7-15 bucks) can do the trick.

Here is two refugiums that are hang on in your tank---cost one dollar each at a Dollar Store

this sump was 15 bucks at Toys R Us

this fuge was 15 dollars including the light at Home Depot and has been in operation for 3 years.

 

[drummereef]

My sump-less 40g. Sumps are not necessary but do offer some advantages over non sump systems. On smaller tanks you can easily get by without a sump.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14764493#post14764493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
My sump-less 40g. Sumps are not necessary but do offer some advantages over non sump systems. On smaller tanks you can easily get by without a sump.

that's a very nice 40gal drummereef. What are you using to filter it.

 

[grand reef1]

Thank you all for answering back to my reply and all of your tanks make me feel gelous

 

[cardiffgiant]

My experience was that the footprint under my old 55 left me with too little room to set up a safe and effective sump.