Must I have a Sump for Saltwater??? Like is it 100% needed?? I want to do a predator tank. Maybe like a 75 gallon with a trigger or two. Perhaps through a tang in there. Do I need to have 1lb per gallon of live rock plus a sump?? Or can I run like two XP3's and a little bit of live rock just for decor???
Sump or no Sump
- Thread starter Chago09
- Start date
few things:
a) you don't need a sump
b) you don't need 1lb/g of live rock
c) a 75g is going to be a bit small for most tangs, they're just too active and a 4' tank isn't very long
now that that's been said:
a) a sump is an incredibly adaptable and usefull filter, there isn't a better one.
b) live rock is an amazing bio-filter as well as being very interesting to watch, you can cut costs back a lot by making your own base rock out of concrete, crushed coral and argonite sand for about $.75/lb and then fill in the gaps with really high quality live rock. about 3/4 base and 1/4 uncured live rock will provide a nice look after a few months when the life has a chance to spread from the live rock to the base rock.
a) you don't need a sump
b) you don't need 1lb/g of live rock
c) a 75g is going to be a bit small for most tangs, they're just too active and a 4' tank isn't very long
now that that's been said:
a) a sump is an incredibly adaptable and usefull filter, there isn't a better one.
b) live rock is an amazing bio-filter as well as being very interesting to watch, you can cut costs back a lot by making your own base rock out of concrete, crushed coral and argonite sand for about $.75/lb and then fill in the gaps with really high quality live rock. about 3/4 base and 1/4 uncured live rock will provide a nice look after a few months when the life has a chance to spread from the live rock to the base rock.
I would do sump for the reason that your going to get better filtration with out (for the most part) adding toxins back into your water. Cansiters are fine but will need to be tended to very often and if they are not tended to will creat alot of unwanted nitrate which will inturn cause more algae and poor water quality. I would do the sump because its better.
I would add the rock as well. Its a great bio filter and it is also a natural grazing ground for most marine species. marines tanks IMO dont look cool unless there natural.
I would add the rock as well. Its a great bio filter and it is also a natural grazing ground for most marine species. marines tanks IMO dont look cool unless there natural.
I run both a sump and a canister filter (FX5) on my system. But I only put Rowaphos in the canister to help with the phosphate removal.I also use Red Mangroves in the sump.
so hows the debate going? have you decided what you would like to do yet, as far as canister or sump?