Biggest low-tech tank?

[Creative1]

How big can I go without getting a sump and/or skimmer? I will be moving into a condo and I don't want to go all crazy here.

I am looking at 30-40 gals, is this too big to get away without sumps and skimmers? I am planning on extra LR and more frequent WC's. I currently have a 9-gal and I want to upgrade a little.

 

[footballdude2k3]

The bigger the better if you are not going to run a sump/skimmer, the higher the volume of water, the slower the numbers change in it

 

[Creative1]

Really, I thought it was the other way around. cool.

In that case-- Once I move in, I want to measure the spot and see how big I can go

 

[Mike in CT]

The biggest factor would prolly be how often and how much water you would be willing to change to keep the parameters where you want them. Big tank more stable, but also larger water changes.

 

[benny z]

The biggest factor would prolly be how often and how much water you would be willing to change to keep the parameters where you want them. Big tank more stable, but also larger water changes.

precisely my line of thinking. less water volume = easier to dilute nutrients w/ water changes. on 100g, you need 50g of 0 nitrate water to dilute 20ppm of nitrates to 10 with no other means of export.

 

[Creative1]

I am sure I won't go much bigger than 40 gals. I don't have that much space! 55 would probably be my max.

I don't mind water changes. I actually find it relaxing

 

[Mike in CT]

Please come over this weekend, I am due for a water change... Lol

 

[Creative1]

lol, only if you'd pay for my gas and tolls to get there!

 

[Bad Company]

Why not have a sump? I have a 63 gallon cube and a sump that all fits in a 30" square area. If you DIY it's not prohibitively expensive either. An algae scrubber and a cheapo Eshopps skimmer ($129), and I do about 30 minutes of maintenance a week, use tap water in my ATO, and do 5% W/C once a month,or when I'm in the mood.

 

[Creative1]

hmm.. I was looking at DIY sumps. I am so confused on how to build one, lol. I would need serious help!

Would a 5gal tank be OK for a sump, if i decide to go for it? I have one for spare.

 

[footballdude2k3]

If you get a 40b, you can easily fit a 20L DIY in the stand, that solves all of your issues right there

 

[footballdude2k3]

Even if you end up using the 5, and get a grow out light, you could throw some macro algae in there to help with nitrates, which is better than nothing

 

[vlangel]

You could maybe make a 5g work but a 10g would be much better. More room for water to drain into when the pump is off. A 40B has a fairly big footprint so a reasonable amount of water will drain into the sump when the pump is off.

 

[joekool]

The biggest factor would prolly be how often and how much water you would be willing to change to keep the parameters where you want them. Big tank more stable, but also larger water changes.

+1 what he said

 

[Creative1]

thanks for the response all!

When I am ready to get a new tank after the move, I will be back to ask more questions