Can I use HOB filter for 90 gallon?

[Kenojrg]

Hey guys so I’m new to reefing and one of my biggest mistakes was starting a 5g tank and had some issues (over crowded tank) due to some bad info from a petco employee but thanks to some people on this forum I got some good advice and info. Fast forward to the present I managed to upgrade and picked up a 90 gallon tank to start off fresh! (Still got my 5g but managed to fix issues such as having a friends dad temporarily house my clown fishes) so instead of going to a big company store I decided to check out my lfs. So basically I found a aquaclear 110 filter and was hoping I could run it on my tank but I wouldn’t know if the filter would be good enough. The employee at the lfs recommended that I get a sump for such a large tank because it’ll work more efficiently than a hob filter. I think a sump would be amazing especially with a refugium but I’m honestly a little bit intimidated on how to set one up and I know it can be quite expensive. I was wondering if it’ll be alright to run a hob filter in the meantime (to cycle the tank) while I slowly build my way into getting a sump and learning more about them. I’ve been watching videos on sumps such as installing overflow boxes, the sump itself, refugiums and return pumps, but like what I said I’m new and a bit intimidated by it. So I wanted to see people opinions on this and how I should go about it.

 

[Spare time]

It is ok to use a hang on back as long as its properly sized. There are also HOB refuiums too that are pretty nice as well as some skimmers (I prefer refugiums if you have to pick). A sump is pretty simple to set up and is harder to set up after the tank is running. You would either need to drill an overflow or use a hang on back like the eshopps ones (or the original brand for hob overflows that don't rely on pumps to keep the siphons but I forgot their name).

 

[GoVols]

JMO..

Your LFS is correct in leading you down the right path to long term success.

Please:
Use a sump with a protein skimmer inside of it, to get the ball rolling.

I would always want a skimmer in the mix, and a sump has so many benefits.
Plenty of time to put the fuge in the sump, but keep the skimmer rolling.

In the end, that mechanical filter may turn out to cause more harm than good, when going into reefing.

 

[Kenojrg]

It is ok to use a hang on back as long as its properly sized. There are also HOB refuiums too that are pretty nice as well as some skimmers (I prefer refugiums if you have to pick). A sump is pretty simple to set up and is harder to set up after the tank is running. You would either need to drill an overflow or use a hang on back like the eshopps ones (or the original brand for hob overflows that don't rely on pumps to keep the siphons but I forgot their name).

since you mention that it’ll be a bit more difficult to set up once the tank is running I’ll probably just go with a sump right off the bat then. Lol I know you mention it’s simple to setup but it might be a little confusing for a newbie like me so the last thing I need is to make things more difficult for myself

 

[Kenojrg]

JMO..

Your LFS is correct in leading you down the right path to long term success.

Please:
Use a sump with a protein skimmer inside of it, to get the ball rolling.

I would always want a skimmer in the mix, and a sump has so many benefits.
Plenty of time to put the fuge in the sump, but keep the skimmer rolling.

In the end, that mechanical filter may turn out to cause more harm than good, when going into reefing.

Thanks for the info! I was definitely looking into using a skimmer in the sump, the guy at my lfs was explaining all the compartments to me and it had space for a fuge and skimmer. I was planning on getting the skimmer later on cause I’ve been reading online to get one after the tank is cycling cause it can cause an issue when trying to build up the beneficial bacteria.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Good move on the sump.. they don't have to be expensive or complicated to get the job done and you can add the refugium later (recommended). You could run a skimmer from the start if necessary, it will have very little to no effect on your bacteria populations.

 

[GoVols]

Thanks for the info! I was definitely looking into using a skimmer in the sump, the guy at my lfs was explaining all the compartments to me and it had space for a fuge and skimmer. I was planning on getting the skimmer later on cause I’ve been reading online to get one after the tank is cycling cause it can cause an issue when trying to build up the beneficial bacteria.

Agree, that it could make a good deep cycle take longer, but you can always lower it's skimmate, so that it's not pulling organics.

Good luck on your final decision.

 

[homer1475]

Although it sounds daunting, It's not really once you dive into it.

While the HOB filter will work, if your planning on a sump down the road, it's much easier, and safer to drill the tank now when it's empty, then when it's full.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I should have been more specific when I said you can run skimmer if necessary from the beginning. Its going to depend what kind of rock your using and how your cycling your system.. if your using real ocean collected rock as I do you almost certainly need to run a skimmer from day one. If your using dry white dead rock probably not a good idea to run skimmer until tank cycles.

 

[Fourstars]

All you you need a HOB skimmer. Look up Berlin method.

 

[01xp]

If you don't wanna drill the tank I used a marine depot hob overflow it worked for me.... until the tank broke

 

[Nanorock1970]

Welcome to R2R and the wonderful folks, information and help.
IF your going with a sump, keep asking and looking up questions here, very many folks with tons of experience, you can ease your mind on the difficulty. Just think of it as a large HOB filter that sits under your tank. Water goes in, filters, skims, heats, maybe a fuge then gets pumped back into your tank.

Patience, it is the big word around here, Reefing is patience to cycle, to watch things grow, to keep your tank balanced.
I recommend to everyone joining to create a tank build thread. 1. You get to see where you have started and how much you have grown in this hobby. 2. We love pictures and to see what your doing with your tank. 3. It’s a great learning tool for all of us to see what works and doesn’t . We learn great stuff from each other.
Lastly the only bad question here is the one not asked...

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Welcome!! I too have been studying this issue. You don't have to spend a fortune with the expensive sumps. You can get a regular smaller aquarium and internal parts from Fiji Cube or have the glass partitions made (see IDOC's build thread for detailed instructions).

 

[01xp]

My carry over sump that I used the hob overflow is a 20 long aqueaon with a fiji cube refugium kit

 

[Spare time]

My carry over sump that I used the hob overflow is a 20 long aqueaon with a fiji cube refugium kit

Those are great kits

 

[Spare time]

since you mention that it’ll be a bit more difficult to set up once the tank is running I’ll probably just go with a sump right off the bat then. Lol I know you mention it’s simple to setup but it might be a little confusing for a newbie like me so the last thing I need is to make things more difficult for myself

I completely understand that. I think that once you see the basics of how a sump works, its becomes much easier to figure out what you need.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

My carry over sump that I used the hob overflow is a 20 long aqueaon with a fiji cube refugium kit

How hard was the kit to install? What plumbing did you use? I am planning on a 40 gal breeder with my 20 gal Aqueon.

 

[01xp]

How hard was the kit to install? What plumbing did you use? I am planning on a 40 gal breeder with my 20 gal Aqueon.

The kit was extremely easy all you need is so aquarium silicone ( petco sells it ) some painters tape and patience. For my plumbing I used pvc hard plumbing

 

[Dom]

Yep... I think a sump is the way to go. They are limited only by their size. You can do a lot more with a sump. When you go HOB, there are limitations. You will end up upgrading to the sump anyway. So I agree; do it from the start.

Consider making your own. A 20 gallon long Aqueon and a few panes of glass for dividers and you're in business.

 

[Spare time]

If you can go biggest than a 20 that might be handy. You have to account for how much water will drain from the tank and rise in the sump if the pump ever fails and how high you need it to be if you get a skimmer (Or if you go fuge only like me, in which water level isn't picky like it is with skimmer