filtration in a 55 gallon glass tank?

[Billy the kid]

Some of you may remember me from the meeting a few days ago. I had the lengthy question of how and what is the best set up. I've got a 55 gallon glass tank that was recently my planted tank. I now want to set up my reef tank. I obtained 200 lbs of aragonite, which should offer me 4 inches of sand to create a DSB.

But what should I do for filtration? An overflow with a CPR sump (skimmer built in) is what i was thinking of setting up, but I wanted to go with the best possible set up without spending an arm and a leg. If that set up is a good idea, what overflow should I buy? I want something reliable, of course!

Also, do I need to rinse the Aragonite first? I've received conflicting opinions on this.

Thanks to all, and Happy Holidays!!!!
-billy the kid

[dsb1829]

DSB is a good thing. Most of the tanks that I have seen running with a mature dsb (more than a year old) are awesome. The tank can handle overfeeding and ocassional blunders that ocassionally cause spikes in ammoinia and its byproducts. I am currently establishing beds in both of our tanks.

A good dsb and live rock can actually make all of the filtration needs of your tank provided it is lightly stocked, not overfed, and has a regular water change regime. However if you would like to keep a couple of larger fish or corals that require feedings then a good protien skimmer is in order.

I have heard good things and bad things of the cpr products. I have never personally owned one of their overflows. You can use the search function (link in upper right hand corner of the page) to find more information and experiences on these than you may care to know. Basically you would be better off with a u-tube overflow made by lifereef, amiracle, or sealife. They have a much better history of keeping your tank from flooding your floor.

On the combo sump/skimmer, it really depends on what type of deal you are getting on it. Some of the best skimmers on the market are Lifereef, Precission Marine, MyReef, EuroReef, Etss, and Aqua-C. For a 55g tank most of these manufacturers have skimmers at about $300. You can place these in any sump.

As far as the sump is concerned anything that holds water will do. These can include rubbermaid tubs, glass or acrylic tanks, wet-dry filters with media removed, or custom sumps.

Aquarium Concepts in Hayward has a lot of the equipment that I have mentioned. They also have a staff that is knowledeable and can help you with the differences between these brands. It might be worth the drive out there to see some of this stuff in person. A word of advice when it comes time to purchase. You can save 30-50% over the LFS if you go mail order on equipment, but you don't have the lfs to ask advice on setup as much. I support the lfs as much as possible, but usually order online because I can't stomach paying $500 for something I can get for $300 online. Let me know if you need some links to good online vendors. Also check out the sponsors link at the top of the page.

Here are some links to some of the manufacturers I have listed. I know that this is a lot of information, so feel free to ask more questions.

http://www.amiracle.com/
http://www.proteinskimmer.com/
http://www.cprusa.com/index2.html
http://www.lifereef.com/
http://www.myreefcreations.com/
http://www.precisionmarine.com/
http://www.sealifesystems.com/


"DIY sump" search results (http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=126854&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending)

"CPR overflow" search results (http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=126855&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending)

"best skimmer" search results (http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=126856&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending)

[Tenner]

Billy the Kid,

Good to see you made to our forum.

Doug pretty much lines everything up above.

As you know, and mentioned at the meeting there are probably 100 right ways to setup your tank. The key is to stick with basics, which are:
Good lighting, (Metal Halid or VHO)
Good water flow, (Strong alternating currents are best)
Good nutrient export, (Live Rock, DSB, and Protein skimmer)

If you skimp on any of these items you will be disappointed later on.

Of course this is just my opinion based on my experiences.

Good luck,
Matthew

[SunfishFun]

Hi Billy - I heard your question at the Dec Meeting and thought I'd put in my $.02, although I am NOT experienced at reefkeeping.

I happen to have the same size tank as you, but acrylic. This is my first ever aquarium endeavor and my objectives were to create a good semi-natural habitat that was not too complicated or expensive. For these reasons and fear of plumbing problems I opted for no sump at all. I have 3.5" DSB, ~50 lbs LR, Prizm protein skimmer.

I'm still afraid of flooding, but I have found that having a sump would be great for holding heaters, having a jail for mean critters, growing extra macroalgae, water changes, in case I ever need to use carbon etc. For my comfort level right now, having no sump is just right. On my NEXT tank I may well try it!

Money-wise, a sump does not have to be very expensive, as DSB indicated, especially if you set it up yourself. Lots of people to answer your questions on the main forum and DIY forum, too. Interested in used equipment? I got my tank, skimmer, and some other bits for CHEAP through ads placed in the Selling forum.

I wonder if the CPR overflow you mentioned goes IN the tank and if so, how large it is. My tank seems too small to me already and it only has 3 medium-sized corals, plus 8 small ones from the Club propagation mtg.

Keep us up to date on your decision-making process!

[SunfishFun]

Oops - just read your sand rinsing thread - haven't been online for a week!