Starting new

[becca5]

Hi everyone I am new to this site, and even though I have had my 55 gl tank for a year (got this from a friend who was moving out of state)I still consider myself new to the hobby.
My husband just bought me a 125 gl tank for Xmas and I want to start a reef tank. It came with an Aqueon Quietflow canister filter 400 (I have googled it but so far I have not found any reviews), it also came with a glass top a couple of heaters and a couple of Aqueon Optibright LED lights. The tank is not drilled and I am still on the fence with that.
My first question is do I have to run a sump? My husband is concerned about the weight issue. We live in a manufacture home.
Has anyone heard of this filter? I think I should still get a good skimmer, i have been looking working at the Reef Octopus. I will probably wait till after Xmas to really start on it. My husband is building the stand. We are going to the Reef Stock 2018 convention in Denver in February. Hoping to get good deals and good advise.
I want to start the rock soon however because I know that it takes some time to cure. I have an RO system and I have been using Prime in my currant tank. I do monthly water changes on it.
I am planing on doing 2" of black sand. I think I will start with dry rock and will add new live rock from my LFS. I don't want to take any from my established tank (worms).
Any advise is welcome

 

[jjwillia]

No, technically you do not need a sump but it’s prob a good idea on that sized tank. I have no idea about that filter but you will need something HOB in that size tank( your skimmer choice sounds good)

Your live rock/dry rock idea sounds decent except for the fact that you don’t know what you may be introducing with the LFS live rock.

 

[Reefpuck]

Don't need a sump, but they have their benefits. I have no experience with canister filters, but I believe the biggest concern is becoming a nitrate trap. If you keep them cleaned and maintained...should be fine. Just keep up with water changes and you should be fine.

 

[SAT]

becca5,
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

The value of a sump is it's a great place to put equipment you don't want to see in the display tank. It can also be a good place to grow macro-algae for nutrient export. However, it is not strictly necessary. A typical sump is considerably lighter than a 125G... if you are worried about it adding too much weight then you are probably already in the grey area. If you decide to use a sump, I strongly suggest drilling the display tank as that will save you a lot of trouble later.

 

[OldReefGuy]

Good advice here.

 

[Daddi0]

Welcome!! You have the best husband..ever.. You could do an overflow box if you didnt want to drill the tank. Don't manufactured homes have steel "I" beams under them?
Cheers! Mark

 

[JUNBUG361]

Hello & welcome. What type of worms do you have in existing tank with your live rocks?