sump or not

[3dees]

I am thinking of converting my 120 gal. wild discus tank to a fowlr. I know nothing about sumps. can I run the tank without a sump or filter, with enough live rock, a good skimmer, and good circulation? thinking of a coralife super skimmer or octopus which can be used as hang on or in sump. I can always add a sump at another time. I'm retired and want to hold down the expense seeing that my cannisters and 6500k led lighting are no use. would 75 lbs of marco rock and another 75 lbs of live rock work?
I had a nano reef some years ago but this is on another level because of the equiptment I will need.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

I would do a sump. The extra water will help as well as the room for skimmer and other expansions later.

 

[3dees]

yeah, I know what your saying, but I'm kind of dangerous with tools and would rather not spend 300-400 bucks for a sump until later. I'm probably looking at about a grand without the sump. won't need expensive lighting as it will be fish only.

 

[terminallance]

There are many sucessful reef tanks without sumps. They are nice as stated above skimmers, reactors and refugiums but if you wanted you can always get a hob skimmer and intank refugium so it's really up to you on what you want to do with your system. But fwiw many fowlr systems eventually turn into mixed reef tanks so consider that when planning your next tank.
So in conclusion sumps are not necessary but are very bennificial (more volume, hidden Equiptment) also petco has their $per gallon sale right now and a 40b sump on a 120 would be great!

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yea, you don't need a sump right off the bat. Its a bonus to run one, but not a necessity.

 

[johnanddawn]

Get yourself a cheap 40 breeder and do a sump, of course you can do without it, but in the long run you'll be happy you did. The extra room for equipment like your skimmer, heater, carbon, whatever is enough to justify it but you can also do a refugium and countless other things in that extra tank.

Jmo though do what works for you

 

[shellynjason]

I run a 120 gallon tank without a sump. That is not to say I don't want a sump, I actually bought one and I am in the middle of figuring out the plumbing.

But I ran this tank one solid year as FOWL with a HOB skimmer and a canister filter. Now I have been running it as a reef tank for six straight months with no sump and the same HOB. I took the canister off as I was told it was a nitrate factory (hmmmm I need nitrates maybe I'll put it back on *smile*). My tank is healthy and clean .

The trick is to deligently do 10-15% water changes ever single week. Just pick a day and stick with it. Also, make sure to have plenty of live rock as that will be most of your filteration and fairly good flow so no detritus settles in one spot causing a toxic area. - Just all my opinions and what I have experienced.

 

[goodtimes]

IMO, sumps are nice for added water volume and hiding equipment. I don't see any reason you would need to do more water changes because you don't have a sump. A hob skimmer or even a internal tunze skimmer would be fine. Canister filters are great for running carbon and other media. I would skip using filter pads in it though.

 

[spspirate]

I would go for the sump. More water volume more stability.

 

[3dees]

may add a sump later. trying to keep the cost down for now. water changes are no problem as I do weekly 75% now. it takes me about 30min. just to vacuum between all the wood in my tank. I hate to tear this tank down, but to be honest it's a bit boring. the only movement is from the tetras. discus spend most of thier time just sitting there. the nano tank I had was so much more enjoyable. here is my tank now.

 

[mcarroll]

A sump is completely unnecessary as long as you are mindful about stocking slowly so you don't accidentally over-do what the tank will handle.

Also, I would stick to around one pound per gallon of rock and do what you can to keep the rock work open to aid water flow.

BTW, beautiful freshwater tank! Any chance adding a little (more) flow would help the discus be a little more active, or is hanging around motionless like an ambush-predator their M.O.?

-Mat

 

[goodtimes]

All the points made are true if you have a sump or not. Good water flow, taking time stocking, water changes, ect... Are all the same.
If you have room for a sump then go for it, if not then don't sweat it. It doesn't have to be expensive though. Like the others said, take advantage of the petco sale and make your own.