I need help deciding tank options

Matt Dogga · May 21, 2018

Hello Everyone,
I have been keeping freshwater species in a 2ft x 1ft tank for 2 years and I have finally decided I want to move to reefing. Brace yourselves, here are my questions:

1. If I was going to use this current tank would I need to use a sump with it?
2. If I use a sump do I need to use a mechanical filter or a protein skimmer?
3. I could possibly get a 3ft x 1ft tank, would I be better off with that?
4. If I was to install an overflow box into my tank, should I take it to a glass expert for drilling? (I know there are hang on overflows but no one in my family is secure with that.)

Thanks in advance,
Matt

big deddy · May 21, 2018

I would by all means setup the biggest tank I had access to. Personally I run a sump, and a skimmer. If you don't feel comfortable drilling the glass I would take to someone who is.

Braves Fan · May 21, 2018

The price of the tank is such a small investment ,, give yourself the best chance for success and make things easier on you down the road ,,, buy a tank with a overflow box & a sump tank ,,, sump tanks offer ,,, more water volume ,, skimmer placement ,, a place to house more rock ,, Chaeto reactor ,, GFO reactor ,,, you want this ,,

Ronix137 · May 21, 2018

If I were you I would get the 3 x 1 tank and use the old 2 x 1 as the sump. Take it to a pro and have them drill it if you are hesitant about it (the peice of mind from doing so would make it worth the cost).
This would give you a big water capacity which would make your water parameters more stable.
The 2x1 as a sump would give you plenty of room for a protein skimmer, heater, auto top off system, etc.

For the sump, the minimum you need is a sock filter to catch things from the display tank and a return pump.
A protein skimmer would help but it really depends on how many gallons the display tank (3x1) is and what you put in it.
If you put a large quantity of big fish then yea you should go with a protein skimmer.
But if you just want a couple small fish and mostly corals then I wouldn’t go for a protein skimmer.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions

PatW · May 22, 2018

A rule of thumb in salt water is bigger is almost always better. Within reason, tank maintenance does not increase as fast as volume. Increased volume gives increased stability and stability is a good thing for marine organisms. A common well liked starter tank is the 40 gallon breeder. But, it is better to go with at least a 4 foot tank either a 70, 90 or 120 gallon.

The other thing is the sump. Sumps give you a place to stick all of your ugly as all get out equipment so that your tank looks better. And with sumps, bigger is better.

My sump has filter socks. They are great for removing particulate matter from the water. Next is the protein skimmer. The bubbles remove macromolecules and their nutrients from the system. Next are my heaters which are controlled by a controller. Heaters have a nasty habit of getting stuck on the on position and cooking your tank. The controller turns them off. I also have macro algae under a strong light. It grows and removes nitrates and phosphates. I harvest it often so it keeps growing. The. Comes my auto top off. It automatically adds water to my system keeping the volume constant and the salinity constant. I also have fans controlled by the controller to kick on when the water temp rises. Between the heaters and the fans, my water varies less than a degree.

manilaboy1vic · May 22, 2018

i ran a 30g sw tank with a hang on skimmer and hob filter with chemipure elite in it for a year or so.. you can do it.. what will happen is, after a while you will just upgrade to something bigger

i say go for it..

1. If I was going to use this current tank would I need to use a sump with it?

NO

2. If I use a sump do I need to use a mechanical filter or a protein skimmer?

You can put a hob filter in your sump if you want, with chemipure elite. i dont have any socks or foam pads in my sump.. i have a skimmer tho and media reactors..

3. I could possibly get a 3ft x 1ft tank, would I be better off with that?

YES, As mentioned before, bigger tank is better for stability reasons and whatever swings there are.

4. If I was to install an overflow box into my tank, should I take it to a glass expert for drilling? (I know there are hang on overflows but no one in my family is secure with that.)

No, youtube drilling hole in reef tank.. you must be certain that your glass is NOT tempered.. or it will shatter into pieces.

Sumps are nice to hide all your equipment, thats for sure..