Sumpless reef

scunfcu · #1 12/09/2007, 11:51 PM

Anyone setup successful sumpless reef. What are your specs or equipment? I have a 75 gallon that I don't want to drill or use overflow box.

marioensf · #2 12/10/2007, 01:24 AM

I've seen lots of reef tanks with a HOB skimmer only and they do great

stevelkaneval · #3 12/10/2007, 02:11 AM

heres my sumpless. just a seaclown skimmer and a aquaclear 70 filled with lr and the flow turned way down.

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BodiBuilt · #4 12/10/2007, 02:15 AM

Up until my newest addition, I have been maintaining (6) reef tanks each one different from the other and (all) without sump's. My newest tank is my first tank with a sump (and I like it)... : )

waxy · #5 12/10/2007, 04:04 AM

Without a sump, it feels like theres I have to maintain the tank more than with. Since all the detritus is accumulated in the sump/refuge for the pods to feast.

stevelkaneval · #6 12/10/2007, 05:26 AM

ive had a sump on my 90 corner and my 55, on a 30 gallon and less i just dont see the need for a sump. a fuge maybe.

NirvanaFan · #7 12/10/2007, 09:06 AM

scunfcu, just out of curiousity, is there some reason that you don't want a sump?

zotzer · #8 12/10/2007, 09:14 AM

My 46g is sumpless...just a hob skimmer and hob refugium. Here it is at 3 mos old:

Tracy

scunfcu · #9 12/10/2007, 10:08 AM

Rreason I want a sump.

- Extra equipment such as customize 20 gallon sump.
My stand has opening for only 26 '' high and 10 1/2 " inch. Can't fit sump horizontal. Don't want to ruin my stand by disassembling it.

- Extra plumbing, drain pipes and fee to pay someone to do it. I am not handy at all. It'll cost quite alot of money to setup a sump.

- Extra euipment such as return pump is expensive and will still transfer heat back into the main tank.

I think a sumpless setup to use good HOB skimmer, powerhead pointing upward causing alot of surface movement for oxygen/gas exchange, ATO for automatic water topoff should work close to having a sump. However I had quite a number of sps frags and not sure if I can still go sumpless. They are in 20g sumpless right now.

chrisqueenz · #10 12/10/2007, 10:17 AM

You should be okay without a sump, I have have a friend with a 180 sumpless reef and it's doing great. Just keep an eye out for equipment encounters with your fish/coral and water parameters. You shoukd be okay.

stevelkaneval · #11 12/10/2007, 10:46 AM

for the gas exchange i recomend a closed loop with a pvc overflow bar that works great for my dad. then you can use the powerhead insted of just pointed at the surface.

r0bin · #12 12/10/2007, 10:53 AM

I have a 75 gal. sumpless. I have never even considered getting a sump. I don't see a need and I do not have to worry about a flood ever, unless my tank would break. See my equipment below.

MegsB · #13 12/10/2007, 10:58 AM

running a 33 and 65 no sump/fuge, and my mom runs a 46 and 90 sum/fugeless. al the tanks are doing great (and have hob skimmers)

ebman · #14 12/10/2007, 11:13 AM

Here is a older pic of my 75 gallon. I have recently added more LPS corals. It has been running for about 8 months without a sump and doing fine. I do recommend some kind of surface skimmer. It really cuts down on the film at the top. I have one of those cheap $12 ones and it works great. It just attached to the input of a powerhead. The only reason I would add a sump is to grow macroalgae. That is what I am planning to do to help with nutrient export.

fredddy · #15 12/10/2007, 11:56 AM

I have been in the hobby for 3yrs.Have had a 55g and now have 46g bowfront.Never had a sump.Run a aqua clear 500,304 fluval with a red sea prizim skimmer.Thinking of taking off skimmer for awhile yes or no appreciate feedback thanks

r0bin · #16 12/10/2007, 12:34 PM

fredddy - I would leave the skimmer on. I had that exact skimmer for quite sometime and it did a not to bad a job.

scunfcu · #17 12/10/2007, 05:12 PM

Glad to see all your sumpless setup. I didn't mention that my tank is Eurobrace with 2 inch rims. This 2 inch prevent me from hanging most aquarium equipment out there. However I think I can go with MCE300 or MCE600, but the Deltec skimmers are expensive.

uscharalph · #18 12/10/2007, 06:31 PM

I personally would not run a sw tank without a sump.

mcbaes72 · #19 12/10/2007, 07:09 PM

There are some nice pics here. Just wanted to say that.

Davidb6 · #20 12/10/2007, 07:11 PM

Have a 65 with no sump and SPS are doing great. However, I have a 120 in the works and it WILL have a sump. I don't think my water will be better with a sump but it will be easier and neater without all that stuff hanging on or in the tank.

scunfcu · #21 12/10/2007, 07:33 PM

David6, my tank will do sps also. How do you handle two part dosing? I don't see you list any calicum reactor. The Refgurium seem to work for you? What kind of mud media? If you are using Regfurium why are you using phosphating removing?

I am very interested in your setup because I will have sps in my tank also? How do you handle water topoff and surface skimming?