question about a non sump set up?

[scubabum1983]

I have a 40 tall, eclipse style tank, i did it on a budget and for the first time, I didnt do an overflow. I have never done a tank with out a sump, and looking for opinions and advise on what type of filter configurations people have had sucess with. as it sits now it has a koralin 1, a rio hang on the back skimmer, and a 95w pc 50 50 bulb for lighting. Its looking so so and im not comvinved it is as good filtration wise as it could be. its still kinda coudy and the water movement is so so. Im not complaining about the koralin pump, i have a 4 on my 90 and its the best thing ever as far as water movement. So my question I am asking is do i add another hang on the back filter, fuge, or other system to get this tank really looking good? My goal once i get this established it to do a pipe fish/seahorse system. any input/experice is appreciated.

 

[Fitchguy]

Scuba, my advice would be to get more water movement. It does not have to be strong just more and different areas of the tank. Now that that's said. I was all for it working out without a sump until I got to your last sentence, about making this a seahorse tank. Seahorse and pipefish thrive in clean very oxygenated water. Most seahorse tanks have different species of macro algae growing in the tank for multiple reasons like food source, pod source, nitrate reduction. In my opinion, to set up a great seahorse tank would be either add a sump, to add volume and recirculation, or you would have to be consistent with 10% water changes weekly.

 

[Fitchguy]

If you are going to go with the weekly water changes of 10% it would probably be best if you remove the skimmer since you really would not have to run it. With a 40 gallon tank without a sump and doing 10% water changes weekly, you will be able to get away with not supplementing too much besides som plankton and such since the trace elements and minerals will be consistent in the water column by doing the water changes. Otherwise, skimming would remove all of them so quickly and not benefit your tank. Many people have seen much better results without skimmers on SMALLER tanks with religous water changes. Just my 2 cents

 

[Satori]

Wish I could help. My QT tank is the only one I've run without a sump, so I don't know what to reccommend with a sumpless reef tank. I know a lot of people do it like that though.

 

[McCrary]

The trick to any sump-less system is water changes and I light bioload. A heater, HOB skimmer and some Koralias or modded maxis would be awesome for a setup like this. A HOB skimmer will help to raise the ORP as well as oxygenating the water. But with some good surface movement oxygenation shouldn't be a problem. As for nitrates and the such, water changes will provide all the trace elements and get rid of anything that is left over by the skimmer. A HOB fuge might be nice to help with the pod population, but if the tank is purely seahorses than you may be able to get them eating prepared foods (cyclopeeze comes to mind). Talk to the guys on the seahorse forum, they will probably be able to help you achieve the tank you want through their experience.

 

[hondadude2k5]

I have always been a fan of a HOB Fuge. IMO a HOB Fuge, some powerheads and a heater is all you need for a small tank. I maintain perfect parameters on my 26 with out any type of carbon power filter or skimmer. My filtration is as natural as possible.

 

[BonesCJ]

I am running a sumpless 72 gallon BF with a Freedom Flo power filter/skimmer and have been pretty happy with the performance. I stick with 15% changes every two weeks.

 

[ELCHUPACABRA]

I say do the ac100 hang on the back filter to fuge mod, it is easy/cheap and would allow you to run macro on a 24hr light cycle. Also since it dumps straight into your tank, pods would be constantly added for the seahorse and pipefish. With a sump the pods get thrashed by the pump on their way to the display.

Here is some great info on the mod: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=679159

I would be happy to help you build it if you don't have tools or the DIY skills. You may also be able to mod the eclipse hood for a fuge, I am not to familiar with them.