sump or no sump>

[susz]

O, .help < O exhualted ones, I am trying to decide when I bring up my 75 gal reef tank, if I should just use hang on the back for protein skimmer, filter, ect. of should I use hang on the back overflow and put in a sump?????????? I was just going to use hang on the back for all, but today at my LFS I noticed a sump and it seemed pretty straight forward. I have 1+1/2 yrs with 5gallon nano, that has HOB filter, live rock, live sand, 10 watt 10,000k/acticnic blue. I have a clown fish, 10 mushrooms, colt leather, and small sponges, two hitchhicker ?clams. MY parameters are pH-8.2, ammonia-0,nitrate-0, nitrite<10, calcium 380 ppm, alkalinty-2.5mEq/l, specfic gravity -1.021. I bought a refractometer today as I am having trouble with keeping my specific gravity where I would like it, so soon that should be good.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT
SUSZ

[bertoni]

Sumps are nice for hiding equipment and allow more choices for skimmers. I'd use one on that size tank, but either way will work. I'd get the 75g drilled, though, if possible, for an overflow.

Calibrating the refractometer with some of the PinPoint 53 mS solution would be a good idea, if you haven't done that. Calibrating with RO/DI water can be inaccurate:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php

[CaptainCoral]

Hello.

Well, exalted I am not, but I'll share my thoughts.
I started out sumpless, but switched over within the first year. I feel that sumps have more pros than cons. I was never comfortable with HOB overflows, so I upgraded to tanks made for sumps. One big benefit of having a sump is keeping that salinity constant. It does, however, require some form of automatic evaporative water replacement. I have had the "cheaper" float switches fail and harm the tank parameters and its inhabitants.

I would suggest to consider how simple or complicated this new reef will be, as that is where the strengths and weaknesses of going sumpless or not are. You can have a very simple successful tank with or without a sump. That being said, full blown automated reefs benefit greatly from the use of a sump.

[Mavrk]

IMO, get a sump, you will be happy you did. Besides the added water to help dilute any issues, and the fact that you can hide equipment, probably the best reason for a sump is (as bertoni pointed out already) that you can get a better skimmer.

[Misled]

I agree with getting a sump. Makes everything easier. Also helps things look alot neater without stuff hanging off the back of the tank.

[Zestay]

i also agree. there are no downsides to a sump... ( except spending the cash on one ) larger skimmer. refuge options. more water volume. all pros no cons...

[gatordoc]

+! on the sump

[PiXieCath]

I agree too! I was afraid of setting sumps on my tanks. Now, I have sump on each of my tank and this is the best moove I've ever made! If you have the possibility to set up a sump on your system, go for it!;-)

[Mike7]

I was thinking the same thing. But got a sump for my 75g and am happy with it.

[kc9dre]

I have a 29gal tank and put a sump on it... and I love it... I am currently working out a plot to get my RO closer to where it is at so I can get that auto top off working... Water changes are easier too....

[Newlin]

When I started, I had two HOB Emporer 400's and I kept them for a year. I had a hard time keeping the scum off the top of the water. I got a really good deal on a sump setup with HOB overflows and I will never run a tank without a sump again. I have not had an issue with the overflows nor hav I had a problem with the tank overflowing. The only issue that I have had is that the water evaporated faster than it did with the 400's and glass tops. Now, I have an open top and the sump is open as well. But, get a good top off and you will not regret it.

[tmz]

Sump is easier and offers much more flexibility. It doesn't have to be a fancy acrylic job, many use a simple storage bin or two. Have the tank drilled if you can. Overflows rely on a siphon which can break and cause a flood. If you do use an overflow consider using two of the u tube type. Those refered to as continuous siphon overflows fail frequently.

[susz]

oh exualted ones, thank you for your info, thanks bertoni, for the info on the refractometer , I ask my LFS for calibrating solution as I am a medical technoogist, but they just look at me and said just use ro water, thanks for the hookup onsalinty and how to calibrate properly, there is nothing like salt water to get your chemisty /physics juices flowing, well maybe the corals and fish lol, thanks every one, I will calibrate right!!!!!!!!!!!!

[susz]

sorry medical technologist, typing isn;t my stong suit

[sjm817]

I wouldn't run a system (except a nano) without a sump.
Hide equipment
Surface skimming
Constant display water level
MUCH better protein skimmer choices
Easier water changes
Increased water volume
Increased oxygenation
Easier dosing

If the tank is not set up yet, have the tank drilled for an overflow. If it is, and you cant have it drilled, use a GOOD HOB overflow such as a Lifereef. Stay away for the C channel overflows such as the CPR that require a vacuum pump.

[Mavrk]

Originally posted by sjm817
Constant display water level

This is the one I was about to add. I love that part.

[DawnOctopus]

Like Tmz said, a sump doesn't have to be one of those expensive LFS bought ones -- I made mine out of a 16 gal rubbermaid tub. I don't have a lot of evaporation, either, because I leave the top on -- I just cut out spaces for the skimmer and return hose.

[DoctorLps]

I love sumps and refugiums for many reasons.
The more water volume in a system the easier it is to maintain constant lvls. Also as metioned above easier to hide equipment, and this also allows you to use much larger and appropiate equipment for certain sytems. Chiller, heaters, skimmer, calcium reactor, refugiums all look nicer hidden away in the bottom of a stand.