Starting up a 10 gallon tank

[fishman007]

Would it be a bad idea to make a 5gal sump for this with 3 chambers: protein skimmer, refugium , return pump? or would a 10gal sump with the same chambers be beneficial? Do i need a protein skimmer for a 10gal tank?

 

[fishman007]

in the refugium, i would probably put some shrimp and live rock

 

[kiv9721]

My opinion is you dont have to build a sump for 10gal.
1- Try to build bigger tank, take 10gal to build a sump with 1/4 acrylic thickness.
2- keep 10gal, but a nano skimmer like Hydro nano or hang on refugium.

 

[Rob in Puyallup]

I have a 10 gallon reef tank up and running since March. Filled with live rock and various polyps and corals. Only two fish, and they're small. I feed the tank twice a day with very small portions of flakes.

I have a small HOB filter and next to it a Finnex refugium with sand, chaeto, pods Purigen and Polyfilter.

I also do a two gallon water change every Monday.

I've had no problems.

 

[BAETech2004]

IMHO, if you can have a sump, you should.
1. Increase water volume which in return helps with stability issues.
2. Provides a place for equipment so the Display looks cleaner
3. Options for equipment become better.
Long run a sump will be less maintainance etc, and the stability will be a blessing should you want SPS...