New Tank for aunt

[k9cop1512]

My Aunt wants to get her 125gal SW going again. She wants to do a sump this time, which is what I suggested.

What size sump is recommended---sump calc shows 15gal...

She does not have a predrilled tank, so with a sump, she will need an external overflow box, right? She has some canister filters, which she wants to still use, which will be used in the sump.

This will be primarily fish only, she does not want to do any live rock, however, I'm trying to at least talk her into some live sand to start for her biological filter. Without live rock, are bio balls reccomended? One of her canister filters is the "bio noodles", which would act as the same as the bio balls?

Thanks for the help...Tim

[racrumrine]

You're asking a lot of the right questions. You may want to do a bit of reading to get the various answers.

You can use siphon tubes over the top to bring the water down to the sump if the tank does not have an overflow. However, there is a risk that if the siphon breaks, you can have a mess. There are threads on how to avoid this; but, you should read through them first.

Regarding the sump, I think most people will tell you the bigger the better. Most likely, the size will depend on how much space she has below the tank. The bigger the sump, the more equipment you can cram in there. You can even partition off a refugium.

For example, I have a 40 gal on a 180 tank; but, that is the biggest sump that the cabinet will hold.

Regarding the sand, you can make "live sand" by tossing in a cocktail shrimp to cycle the tank. You can read up that technique.

Best of luck,

Roy

[bertoni]

The noodles are probably the same as bio-balls, which seem to work well for fish-only setups.

[k9cop1512]

Thanks for answering!

[rockhoundmaiden]

Good luck and it's so nice that you are helping out like that.

I NEED A NIECE LIKE YOU

[rockhoundmaiden]

So Sorry TIM - I MEANT TO SAY NEPHEW