Tank Decision

[KTwo]

Thinking about getting in to the hobby and doing some research/reading. One question I have is about tank 'technology'. I see two major approaches to filtering/pumping -

1. The Red Sea approach of everything plumbed and contained in a stand or
2. The Innovative Marine approach of a 'sump' behind the tank.

Is one better than the other? I know each probably have advantages and disadvantages but are there clear advantages with respect to any part of the hobby the one or both offer.

For example, one of my concerns is salt creep or just crud/general cleanliness. Does one of the two manufacturers design excel in this area over the other?

Expandability is another concern and I believe the Red Sea/'plumbed' approach is better.

Thanks in advance.
-K2

 

[~RuSh~]

I'm unfamiliar with the red sea vs innovative marine reference.

Salt creep will be an issue wherever you have air bubbles or splashing water. So as long as you don't use a HOB filter, and contain most of the water misting/splashing it's not a huge issue. General cleanliness will coincide directly with how much effort in maintenance you put in.

 

[reeftanker3295]

Are you talking about AIO (all in one) tanks vs tanks with a plumbed in sump? (separate tank) If so, a sump just gives you more room for equipment and hides the ugly stuff, most people would recommend a real sump, especially on tanks >30 gallons. The added volume also gives your tank better stability.

 

[KTwo]

I'm unfamiliar with the red sea vs innovative marine reference.

Salt creep will be an issue wherever you have air bubbles or splashing water. So as long as you don't use a HOB filter, and contain most of the water misting/splashing it's not a huge issue. General cleanliness will coincide directly with how much effort in maintenance you put in.

I think reeftanker3295 (below) described it - all in one or plumbed sump. Innovative Marine's tanks are (mostly, as far as I can tell) all in one. The tank has a sump integrated in to the overall tank and is behind the display tank. The Red Sea tanks come with plumbed sumps with the sumps located in the stand below the tank.

-K2

 

[KTwo]

Are you talking about AIO (all in one) tanks vs tanks with a plumbed in sump? (separate tank) If so, a sump just gives you more room for equipment and hides the ugly stuff, most people would recommend a real sump, especially on tanks >30 gallons. The added volume also gives your tank better stability.

Yes, exactly - AIO vs plumbed. The AIO hides the ugly stuff also (and I believe as well) it's just that you don't have nearly the volume of water to, as you point out, increase stability.

Guess I need to investigate Red Sea some more.

Thx
-K2

 

[billdogg]

If you don't mind a little DIY plumbing, you can save yourself a bundle and buy a Display tank either drilled or not and use a commonly available tank like a 40b for a sump. There are probably about 1000 build threads doing just that.That way you can make it the way that suits you best.

jm.02

 

[reeftanker3295]

Yes, exactly - AIO vs plumbed. The AIO hides the ugly stuff also (and I believe as well) it's just that you don't have nearly the volume of water to, as you point out, increase stability.

Guess I need to investigate Red Sea some more.

Thx
-K2

Maybe for now, but some day you may want to put a reactor on there, or a better skimmer (skimmer options for AIO's really suck to be blunt), maybe a refugium. Believe me, the AIO's will restrict your plans at some point.

 

[KTwo]

If you don't mind a little DIY plumbing, you can save yourself a bundle and buy a Display tank either drilled or not and use a commonly available tank like a 40b for a sump. There are probably about 1000 build threads doing just that.That way you can make it the way that suits you best.

jm.02

Will have to investigate that. Hadn't thought of it. Was kind of in 'shell shock' over all the information and variables. But I'm not afraid of a little drilling or gluing. May be the way to go.

Thx
-K2

 

[~RuSh~]

Tons of info out there on how to DIY. After a long hiatus I'm going through similar things you are. Trying to drill my own tank, and implement a 20g sump for a 40g breeder display. Like mentioned above I want the flexibility and option to add and subtract things down the road should I choose.

 

[KTwo]

Tons of info out there on how to DIY. After a long hiatus I'm going through similar things you are. Trying to drill my own tank, and implement a 20g sump for a 40g breeder display. Like mentioned above I want the flexibility and option to add and subtract things down the road should I choose.

After a day of reading I'm convinced that a sump is the way to go. Seems like it may be more 'complicated' in the beginning to understand the basics and what you can do above and beyond the basics but in the long run is easier to maintain and increases flexibility. And since I can't find a combination of tank/sump and stand in one package that I like (Red Sea Reefer comes closest but I dislike their wooden stand. Like the aluminum stand from Innovative Marine) it looks like I may very well be DIY'ing it.

-K2

 

[mitch91175]

After a day of reading I'm convinced that a sump is the way to go. Seems like it may be more 'complicated' in the beginning to understand the basics and what you can do above and beyond the basics but in the long run is easier to maintain and increases flexibility. And since I can't find a combination of tank/sump and stand in one package that I like (Red Sea Reefer comes closest but I dislike their wooden stand. Like the aluminum stand from Innovative Marine) it looks like I may very well be DIY'ing it.

-K2

Since this is your first tank, I would say look around on Craigslist and some of your local forums for someone getting out and you will be shocked at the deals that you can get. I wouldn't buy anyone's junk, but you can definitely find some gems out there.

 

[KTwo]

Since this is your first tank, I would say look around on Craigslist and some of your local forums for someone getting out and you will be shocked at the deals that you can get. I wouldn't buy anyone's junk, but you can definitely find some gems out there.

Been doing that for a little bit now. Haven't come across anything yet but I keep looking. I'm a little surprised given the density of the Baltimore-Washington DC corridor that there isn't more stuff available.