Sump or Refugium??

[golf4lyfe]

Im planning on starting a 20 to 30 gallon tank, this will be my first saltwater tank. I cant decide wether to do a sump or refugium. The refugium seems like it would be much easier to build myself. But what are the advantages of each. Also is it necessary to have a skimmer in a tank of this size.

 

[MarineGirl411]

Hi,
I'd go with a sump/refugium. It will be so much easier once you dose things and topping off water. A skimmer on that size of a tank is really essential. I believe that almost everyone on RC will agree. The smaller the tank, that harder it is to keep water levels stable. Esp for a beginner. Some people I have heard do go the natural way though with just a lot of water changes and a deep sand bed. Check out www.nano-reefs.com. They explain a skimmerless system very well. That is a really good website for nano/reefs. You can do a search on RC type in Sump/Refugium. I can show you what I've built with acrylic for my sump/refugium. This would be the best place to dose elements, calcium, etc. and to top off water once it evaporates. What do you plan on keeping in your main display tank? Did you want everything hang on the back? That is how I wanted my system at first, but then I changed my mind because I could do so much more with a sump/system under the main display. Let me know.I'm sure everyone on here will give you their 2 cents as well. =)

 

[golf4lyfe]

At first I was thinking of doing a hang on back and converting that AC110 filter. But then as I kept looking the sump sounded like it might be a better choice. As for fish I hadn't thought about that aton yet I was thinking some clownfish maybe, I dont know forsure. What fish do you have in your 25 gallon?