New tank setup

[volt5015]

I’ve had my 36 gal bow front tank for about 9 months now. The filtration is a hang on back filter. I recently picked up a 75 gal tank. My plan is to build a new stand to accommodate the sump and plumbing (and match the decor of the room). I am going to get a 40 gal breeder tank for my sump. My main goal of the tank is to have beautiful colorful fish and corals. I have been reading and researching what to put in the sump but can’t decide if I should use a skimmer. What are the major advantages and disadvantages for a skimmer. I really don’t want to use filter socks. I am going to use a Theiling roller mat instead. I will install 2 heaters. I really am unsure what else should be in the sump. What equipment has been tested and used and you wouldn’t want to live without??

 

[dedragon]

What equipment has been tested and used and you wouldn’t want to live without??

a skimmer^. But seriously no point to not really have one it helps manage nutrient levels and helps with o2 exchange. If you add a co2 scrubber it also helps manage pH levels. Not necessary but I always liked mine
Roller mat is very nice to have but dont plug it in until after you finish messing around in the tank with aquascaping, adding sand, and adjusting flow. If you plug it in before that they can clog and go through a roll pretty fast.
Another addition I have liked is a refugium, but again not necessary. Media reactors are an option but for a medium sized tank like a 75 gallon just letting media bags sit in a high flow area will do the job well and media reactors are more of a pain to clean

 

[Reef Psychology]

Skimmer is a must IMO.

When you build your stand, make sure you measure all your equipment twice. You'll want room to stick your hands in there, take off the skimmer cup, etc.... You might need to remove the sump and find out you didn't leave enough room. Happened to me once and it sucked.

If you're going to go full reef, then a shelf on the wall or door will be very handy. Room on one side for dosing containers and/or a top off would be good too. So don't get a sump that is exactly the size of your main tank. Go higher rather than longer. You can search for sump size calculator so you'll know if you have enough gallons in sump room when the return is turned off. Also, make sure the return chamber is large enough that it has enough room so that evaporation doesn't empty it too quickly. You'll want a little room for times you may forget to refill the top-off water container.

 

[Hemmdog]

Skimmer and extra media/live rock, that’s all you really need.

 

[Lex_510]

I’ve had my 36 gal bow front tank for about 9 months now. The filtration is a hang on back filter. I recently picked up a 75 gal tank. My plan is to build a new stand to accommodate the sump and plumbing (and match the decor of the room). I am going to get a 40 gal breeder tank for my sump. My main goal of the tank is to have beautiful colorful fish and corals. I have been reading and researching what to put in the sump but can’t decide if I should use a skimmer. What are the major advantages and disadvantages for a skimmer. I really don’t want to use filter socks. I am going to use a Theiling roller mat instead. I will install 2 heaters. I really am unsure what else should be in the sump. What equipment has been tested and used and you wouldn’t want to live without??

I had exactly the same situation you are in from a 36 bow front to now a 75g which I made it to a reef tank myself. I tried to keep is simple. but so far just get a good reliable pump the heart of the system, I do have a refugium with Cheato with a cheap light for nutrient export which you may need some type of export later down the line depending on how many fish u keeping. And I do run skimmer for skimmate export. And 2 heaters and live rock in the sump. I will maybe later want a roller mat which I think is a good because is take away the waste before if builds up. So Im sure you having a rollermat the skimmer will perform much less skimmate I assume but it’s good for oxygen they say so I wound oversize a skimmer with that combination but again depends on your live stock

 

[Katherine Corals]

I’ve had my 36 gal bow front tank for about 9 months now. The filtration is a hang on back filter. I recently picked up a 75 gal tank. My plan is to build a new stand to accommodate the sump and plumbing (and match the decor of the room). I am going to get a 40 gal breeder tank for my sump. My main goal of the tank is to have beautiful colorful fish and corals. I have been reading and researching what to put in the sump but can’t decide if I should use a skimmer. What are the major advantages and disadvantages for a skimmer. I really don’t want to use filter socks. I am going to use a Theiling roller mat instead. I will install 2 heaters. I really am unsure what else should be in the sump. What equipment has been tested and used and you wouldn’t want to live without??

+1 on using a skimmer! +1 on using a filter sock!
I like using the filter sock for collecting larger organic waste, I tend to feed VERY heavy and spoil my fish lol
I also like the skimmer for that same reason, and get an added benefit with increasing my Ph levels. My tanks are in a basement and members of the house breathe too much lolol
Check out my build thread!