The larger the tank, the more practical a sump is,
and the smaller the tank, the less practical a sump
is. Now imagine if you owned a public aquarium sized
tank. I bet you would have a sump then :-)

A 55 gallon tank is not very big, but it is what I
would consider just big enough for a sump, any
smaller, and I would not go with a sump. Since you
already have a tank, I bet it's not predriled with a
built in overflow. If it were with an overflow, I'd
say put a sump down there, but since it's probably
just a plain tank you might want to go with a
canister filter for now, since you like them.

But if you ever upgrade to a bigger tank, then be
sure and get a tank with a built in overflow, and a
sump.


Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets


ONJ wrote on 5/15/2007 2:40 PM:
"Wayne Sallee" wrote in message
k.net...
I don't recommend a canister filter, but they are not the end of the world,
and they are easy to remove should you later decide that you don't like it.
Some people like canister filters, but I have never liked them.

Another advantage of a sump, is that you are able to put all of you
equipment down in the sump, so that when you look in your reef tank, all
you see is the reef, and nothing else.

But, no you dont' have to have a sump, but for any large system, it just
makes sense to have a sump.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Well other than getting the equipment out of the way...why else would I go
with a sump?

My plan is a hang on Precision Marine HOT-1 skimmer, live rock, live sand,
hydor koralia #2 circulators(one at first...maybe two)...and that is it.





ONJ wrote on 5/10/2007 10:49 AM:
Ok...I have narrowed down some pieces of equipment to set up my new 55
gallon reef tank.

The things I do know I need and will be getting a

60 to 70lbs live rock
Precision Marine HOT-1 protein skimmer
2 Hydor Koralia circulating units
Proper lighting level for corals and maybe one anemone

Now for the part I don't know. I was considering a canister
filter...someone advised against that.

I thought about a refugium, but my only reason for doing so would be
algae control, but I don't know if I want to mess with all of that.

So besides the live rock, the skimmer, lighting and calcium based
sand...is there anything else?

Would someone recommend a canister filter? Is a refugium a must?

Or will the things I have settled on so far do the trick?