sumpless?

[nazzman]

I have been running Fowlr tank 20 years converted to full reef tank 4years ago and never used a sump. back in fish only days used canister filter. Now I just use hangon skimmer and mutable powerheads how many others have a successful tank with no sump?

 

[calvo15290]

I was but I made a sump and my tank took off ps( why you gotta so sump less ( hhaha

 

[mike007]

I also run a reef without a sump with great success. Yes the extra water volumn does help but some of us just don't have a have a drilled tank and we we are happy to have what we have. I run a Remora skimmer and lots of flow with with my mp40's and tank is doing great.

 

[glb]

Following. I'm planning to upgrade to a 40g breeder and was thinking of doing a hob skimmer. I'll only have softies and lps. It would be so nice to not have to buy a reef ready tank. I'll do that in the future when I get a bigger one. I'm interested in what everyone has to say.

 

[3dees]

I'm setting up a 120 gal. fowlr and no sump. reef octopus hob skimmer and at least 2 powerheads. I might use a canister for carbon when/if needed. I know the advantages of a sump, but I have severe back issues and working under the tank is just not an option. on the plus side, I'll sleep better knowing there won't be a flood waiting for me.

 

[mike007]

You do not need to use a cannister filter. You can use a hob back filter that has easy access where you can change filter media without having to bend down to service. I would use a hob skimmer and a hob mechinical filter and some powerheads and you should be fine.

 

[glb]

You do not need to use a cannister filter. You can use a hob back filter that has easy access where you can change filter media without having to bend down to service. I would use a hob skimmer and a hob mechinical filter and some powerheads and you should be fine.

I think this is what I'm going to do.

 

[goodtimes]

I had this internal filter unit built for my 55 gallon. It's worked great so far. I have a tunze 9004 in it but a 9011 will also fit. It has removable shelves for media or they could be removed and you could run a internal reactor in that chamber. Also holds my heater. It's a nice option for a sump less AIO. It is a little bulky but atleast all the equipment is out of sight.

 

[MoeManTheSnowMan]

I have run 3 different tanks sumpless with no major issues. All nano's with HOB skimmers.

 

[3dees]

with live rock there is no need for a mechanical filter. the canister could be used if needed for running carbon or gfo. a hob filter is just something else hanging in the tank.

 

[Animal Chin]

I have a 55 gallon sps dominant set up with no sump. I use a ramora hob skimmer and a canister for carbon. I have zero nitrates and zero phosphates and my sps are thriving. I do a 10 gallon water change a week, I think thats the secret...

I would like a sump though, it'd be nice to hide all the equipment.

 

[dustystar30]

I am sumpless too, I have a 30 gal biocube and a 60 gal tank both with reefs. Had no problems so far knock on wood...lol been running one for 6 months the other for 3 months. I do have a HOB on the 60 but waiting for my canister filter to come in this week. Levels are at zero or low levels were need be.

 

[OceanDude]

I was successful with no sump. Although only a 29 gallon so I'm not sure if it counts...

 

[Paul B]

Mine is sumpless for over forty years, no problems yet.

 

[glb]

Mine is sumpless for over forty years, no problems yet.

Can you say more about your setup? Skimmers, filters??

 

[Paul B]

It's been on here many times but basically it is a 100 gallon long tank set up in 1971 with a reverse UG filter and dolomite gravel, all state of the art at that time. Lighting is DIY LEDs and the skimmer is also DIY and is about 4' tall. It runs with Ozone. There is a 4' algae trough that grows algae in a tray or trough above the water as the tank is built into a wall so you can't see it. About 10% of the water is NSW and I collect mud in the sea for the bacteria to put in the tank a couple of times a year. Live worms are fed every day along with fresh clams and new born brine shrimp which are hatched every day. Spawning fish are bluestripe pipefish, mandarins, 20 year old fireclowns, clown gobies, watchman gobies and threadfin cardinals.Thats about it. It's just a simple, low tech set up.

 

[glb]

It's beautiful!!!

 

[Paul B]

Thank you.

 

[cpsbooks]

I think we get so caught up in the equipment that we forget how many of us kept (keep) awesome reefs with little more than a skimmer. I get somewhat annoyed at the "you need" comments I see online...but playing with new toys is fun.

 

[glb]

I think we get so caught up in the equipment that we forget how many of us kept (keep) awesome reefs with little more than a skimmer. I get somewhat annoyed at the "you need" comments I see online...but playing with new toys is fun.

I like the idea of keeping it simple. I love gadgets and if I get a big tank someday it might make sense to have more of them, but I like the philosophy of the Berlin method.