Filtration/equipment options for a rimless 30g - Advice needed

[samnaz]

My current setup is a 20 gallon long, with an Aquaclear 70 and Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer. I'm upgrading/transferring to an IM Nuvo Black 30L and I'm not sure what to do for filtration.

I can't make up my mind on whether or not to drill and sump it, or use all the HOB equipment I already have but I'm worried that would put too much strain on the back panel - filter, skimmer, and Nanobox Quad fixture would be about 30-40 lbs...I think?

What should I do?!?!

Contemplating trying to sell the Nuvo Black tank and getting the AIO Fusion version instead. That would certainly be easier than figuring out drilling/sumps/plumbing....

 

[SIJoe]

I always would go for a sump if possible. It is easier maintenance and wayyyy more options for filtration. every think of getting a tank already predrilled rather than purchasing one not reef ready? There are a lot of reef ready options available today that are pretty inexpensive. I currently have a 30g deep blue professional that works just fine for what i like currently.

 

[Oceanwave45]

You can do a hang on back filter - just use the correct media - sponge or flosse and matrix.

Then use a nano protein skimmer and that should work.

Of course a sump would be the best but for a small tank I wouldn't go there. IMO - sumps are for larger tanks.

Make it easy on yourself and stay simple for small tanks. Just keep up on weekly water changes and you shouldn't have a problem

 

[samnaz]

I always would go for a sump if possible. It is easier maintenance and wayyyy more options for filtration. every think of getting a tank already predrilled rather than purchasing one not reef ready? There are a lot of reef ready options available today that are pretty inexpensive. I currently have a 30g deep blue professional that works just fine for what i like currently.

I got this tank way back in January, and I thought I'd use the equipment I already had so a reef ready tank didn't seem necessary. Believe me if I could go back and get a reef ready tank instead, I would!

 

[samnaz]

You can do a hang on back filter - just use the correct media - sponge or flosse and matrix.

Then use a nano protein skimmer and that should work.

Of course a sump would be the best but for a small tank I wouldn't go there. IMO - sumps are for larger tanks.

Make it easy on yourself and stay simple for small tanks. Just keep up on weekly water changes and you shouldn't have a problem

Im all about keeping it simple. I know a filter and skimmer would work fine, but my concern with that is the amount of strain they would put on the back glass. Do you think 30-40 pounds hanging on the back wouldn't be a problem? Seems risky to me.

 

[tdileo]

You can do a hang on back filter - just use the correct media - sponge or flosse and matrix.

Then use a nano protein skimmer and that should work.

Of course a sump would be the best but for a small tank I wouldn't go there. IMO - sumps are for larger tanks.

Make it easy on yourself and stay simple for small tanks. Just keep up on weekly water changes and you shouldn't have a problem

I don't agree here, I think every tank benefits from a sump regardless, especially in a small tank. With such limited space equipment in the tank really sticks out. A sump also adds extra water volume, so if something spikes you may have a little bit more water volume that could save your livestock. If you could do a 20 gallon sump on a 40 gallon tank,
your system probably runs around 50-55 gallons total depending on skimmer height. The extra 10-15 gallons is between 1/4 and 1/2 of your total tank volume and when you think about that its a big increase. 1PPM ammonia could become .60, and of course you have way more room for stronger equipment in a sump than a HOB. Just my $0.2 though [emoji4]

 

[Oceanwave45]

I don't agree here, I think every tank benefits from a sump regardless, especially in a small tank. With such limited space equipment in the tank really sticks out. A sump also adds extra water volume, so if something spikes you may have a little bit more water volume that could save your livestock. If you could do a 20 gallon sump on a 40 gallon tank,
your system probably runs around 50-55 gallons total depending on skimmer height. The extra 10-15 gallons is between 1/4 and 1/2 of your total tank volume and when you think about that its a big increase. 1PPM ammonia could become .60, and of course you have way more room for stronger equipment in a sump than a HOB. Just my $0.2 though

Yes he is right, but I know plenty of people with smaller tanks that don't have a sump.. yes a sump ideal but you can use a HOB\skimmer and be fine..

Im all about keeping it simple. I know a filter and skimmer would work fine, but my concern with that is the amount of strain they would put on the back glass. Do you think 30-40 pounds hanging on the back wouldn't be a problem? Seems risky to me.

That's hard to say,,, you may have just try it and see... also can you reneforce it??

 

[samnaz]

Yes he is right, but I know plenty of people with smaller tanks that don't have a sump.. yes a sump ideal but you can use a HOB\skimmer and be fine..



That's hard to say,,, you may have just try it and see... also can you reneforce it??

I'd rather not risk dumping 30 gallons of water on my living room floor and losing all my livestock!

I have no idea if I can reenforce it. What do you mean by that?