ok guys...

[sk8rreefgeek]

I have been running my 55g sumpless, skimmerless for over a year. I run a fluval 305 with carbon and ceramic media, with a Koralia 2 for added water movement. I do a water change once a week. Oh, and all Lodi Tap (which is suppsed to be 'really good')

Except for a little surface scum (very thin, slight layer) my tank is healthy. Nitrates are undetectable. Fish, Corals, and 2 Nems seem happy.

So, my question is: How much difference would it make to setup an overflow, sump, skimmer? (Also would like to start using RO/DI)
I'm looking at approx $350-$400 (+RO unit) to complete this task. but if everything is all good, is it worth it? I know it would be nice, but like everything reef-related, it's a lot of $$$


here's what it looks like right now:

 

[seapug]

After 1 year you should have much more coralline algae coverage on the rock than that, which usually indicates an Alkalinity deficiency. That's a very common with issue canisters and tap water so switching to a sump and setting up an RO system might help that.

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

Oh, I've only had my T5's since February '08, and a lot of the rock is "new" too
I think it was like a 15w, 18" flourescent before that, FOWLR

and I scrape my back glass clean too

 

[seapug]

so what you are basically saying is this tank is only 2 months old....

Many people have differing opinions on this, but it's generally accepted that a sump is a much better option. Your tank is very young and lightly stocked still but you are already getting surface scum. This will get worse as the bioload increases. An overflow will completely eliminate it and improve gas exchange.

Also, as you stock more delicate corals and invertebrates, the greater your need will be for pure source water and vigorous protein skimming. You can also use the sump to hide all the "gear" like heaters, reactors, and skimmer that would otherwise be in the display or hanging off the back of the tank.

Longterm, I personally think an RO system, sump, and protein skimmer will really improve your overall system.

 

[plyr58]

You do realize that your maroon will kill that ocellaris eventually?

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

Nah, I'd take one out before that happened. they're gettin along pretty well for now. I know I'm playing with fire...

I won't be getting any more fish, I'd actually like to give the firefish away. So the bioload shouldn't increase, except for the fish getting bigger (maroon lol)

 

[Musho3210]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12394224#post12394224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sk8rreefgeek
Nah, I'd take one out before that happened. they're gettin along pretty well for now. I know I'm playing with fire...

I won't be getting any more fish, I'd actually like to give the firefish away. So the bioload shouldn't increase, except for the fish getting bigger (maroon lol)

psychic? Fish can be pretty unexpected....

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

the B&W vs GSM is another thread, I was just interested in the difference an overflow, sump & skimmer would make. Thank you for the replies, I guess I'll have to weigh the cost vs benefits

just wanted opinions on the benefits

 

[spleify]

sk8r, I had almost to same set up as you do now, except I had a CPR Bak-Pak 2 on it. I was getting a REALLY bad breakout of cyano. I did lots of research and asked LOTS of questions, like your doing, and came to the conclusion, that yes, the sump/refugium was the way to go.

I had a FOWLER system, and my nitrates were literally off the charts. My test kit only read up to 180, and it was darker than that.
Anyway in conclusion, see what you can find locally, in some of the reef clubs in Cali. I'm sure there is someone that can help you out and set up what you want for the money you are looking to spend. All of the things, IME, you are asking about will definitely help improve your system.

HTH

Spleify

 

[sk8ergolie31]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12394224#post12394224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sk8rreefgeek
Nah, I'd take one out before that happened. they're gettin along pretty well for now. I know I'm playing with fire...

I won't be getting any more fish, I'd actually like to give the firefish away. So the bioload shouldn't increase, except for the fish getting bigger (maroon lol)

yo dude, whats wrong with firefish besides the bioload situation in your tank..
i was planning on gettin a pair of them for my 30gL.

 

[plyr58]

He was talking about the two clowns

 

[sk8ergolie31]

he stated.. "id actually like to give the firefish away" sorry if im reading this the wrong way. i was just interested in getting them

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

haha, relax guys.
Thanks spleify, that's a good idea. I guess I've been lucky as far as nitrates go. I'm pretty good with my water changes too. I really do want a sump, it's just money/priorities/bills right now that's stopping me.
sk8rgolie - The firefish just seems kinda boring to me. Nothing wrong with them, but mine just sits in one spot most of the time. Check out the purple ones too, and be careful, cuz I've read a lot of posts about them jumping out.

 

[nalbar]

IMO the most important thing is getting the surface skimmed. That is the goal. That single thing improves a tank a great deal. My sump is simply skimming the surface, dropping it into a bucket, then pumping it back.

Any other purpose for a sump is a bonus on top of skimming the surface. It removes the worst water, and then cleans it.

IMO that is the single most important thing you can do on any kind of tank. A sump makes that easy.



nalbar

 

[Fuegofish777]

if you can, i would do the upgrades. I had my tank sumples for a long time, it was goin well but then i just had he chance to do it. I did it mostly to hide the equipment, but i has so many other benefits tha i didnt find until later. refugiums, reactors, auto-top-offs, the works....it all just goes down in the sump. Everything in my tank improved wih the new skimemr and sump set, so I recommend them to anyone who wants a tank. good luck

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

I'll save up, and get this project going. I've wondered about the suface scum having an effect on the light. I just wish I had more time and money lol

 

[Electrobes]

I prefer being sumpless but I would never tell another person that being sumpless is better than having a sump. If you have the opportunity go for the upgrades.. you'll see better growth

 

[buckeyegirl]

You can buy a surface skimmer by Tom's Aquatic from any of the online catalogs for about $10. I used one for a while. You use it in place of the existing inlet for your canister filter.

If you build your own sump it's really not that expensive. Buy all the parts you can from Lowe's instead of the fish stores. The most expensive part of mine was the overflow box ($100) but if you look around you could find a used one, or DIY. Oh, and the skimmer too!

 

[sk8ergolie31]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12395206#post12395206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sk8rreefgeek
sk8rgolie - The firefish just seems kinda boring to me. Nothing wrong with them, but mine just sits in one spot most of the time. Check out the purple ones too, and be careful, cuz I've read a lot of posts about them jumping out.

so whats the difference between the purple one and the red one.. im assuming just the color??
and i have egg crate so no need for me to worry about them jumping.. unless that is of course if they jump through the egg crate:lol:

should i just stick with egg crate and see what happens or should i get like pool side screening or sumthing to put on top of the my tank?

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

I actually did read that a purple firefish jumped throught the eggcrate! You'd be surprised, those things can shoot around like BULLETS! haha, it's actually pretty impressive, but it only does it when it gets startled.
The whole screen thing can be quite a PITA (even just FINDING the screen), and the eggcrate will leave square shadows on the SB, which I didn't like (esp with the moonlights at night). I ended up building a canopy with 7" walls instead. check it out:

I stopped using the eggcrate over my light tho
I think the whole canopy project ended up costing me about $65-$70 for everything.