Need advise urgently!

[strat]

Hi, I am currently cycling my tank.

I need advise as a fellow reefer told me that I must have a sump or a cannister filter in order to avoid future

problems. Is this true? can any experience reefer advise me? my tank is abt 3ft with 4.5" dsb.

Thanks!

[terryansimon]

its recommended to have a sump. recommended. not die die must have.

if space is a constrain, then a canister filter is the way to go. but watch out for troublesome maintenance and sky rocketing NO3 levels.

[DeepBlue]

got a pic of your tank? or some specs....dun really know wht kind of setup you have.....

[strat]

My tank specs are as follows: 3ft x 1.5ft x 1.8ft, 8mm glass around

That means I need have a sump or a canister filter.

Can I do without them?

ps: Sorry I very newbie. just started 2 wks ago

[DeepBlue]

an advice...better get a sump...a gd skimmer in your sump...cycle for another 2 - 3 weeks until no trace of ammonia...

meanwhile sit back and read up on reefkeeping pin-ups....veri gd stuffs......

all the best...after these few weeks...the exp will be fantastic....if you are impatient...chances are...there will be many heartaches and loss of $$$$$

[strat]

an advice...better get a sump...a gd skimmer in your sump...cycle for another 2 - 3 weeks until no trace of ammonia...

meanwhile sit back and read up on reefkeeping pin-ups....veri gd stuffs......

all the best...after these few weeks...the exp will be fantastic....if you are impatient...chances are...there will be many heartaches and loss of $$$$$

Actually thinkin of cycling for 3 more weeks. I am not in a hurry.

So I must get sump or canister. I cannot do without anyone of them.

Am I right to say that?

[nutx]

my opinion is that the sump is useful to hide the skimmer and any other equipment that you might have.

As for whether sump is better or Canister filter is no no, it will depend on how often you clean the canister, and change water.

I believe there is a balance in all system.

And for cycling of tank, it is not the time that matters, but whether the condition is ready for stock-up, that is when the NH3/4 and NO2 are zero, and NO3 at a low/acceptable level.

my 2 cents..

[strat]

My question is can i do without a sump or a cannister?

That means just a protein skimmer only with liver rocks and DSB.

[Hondace]

My question is can i do without a sump or a cannister?

That means just a protein skimmer only with liver rocks and DSB.

u can't do without both.

Another alternative is to go for I-box or I-reg. Check it out at the sponsors forum. they should be carrying it.

[hippo]

I agree with Hondace. you can check out sponsor EAN website for sump or refugium and cannister filter.

Currently, I using I~ref and a cannister for my 2ft tank.

I hope it helps..

[regularguy]

u can't do without both.

okay... what hondance said may sound quite confusing here. actually what he meant is that you need either sump or canister.

but a sump is preferable as you can place your protein skimmer here to hide it out of sight from the tank

and if you only rely on liverocks and DSB, then how are you going to have any mechanical filtration? since you have already bought your tank, presumably without any overflow, maybe you can get a I-box to bring the water down to the sump.

hope this helps

[strat]

Thanks!

Anyone got anymore advice?

[dradttg]

I have a 2 ft tank that I have been maintaining for more than 4 months without a sump. I am using canister filter.

Sump is good to have as additional water buffer, filter, etc...

However, if you already have an existing tank and do not want to go through the additional hassle of pulling pipes here and there, pulling wires here and there, etc... just get a canister filter.

Protein skimmer by itself is not enough for your tank. Protein skimmer is only good for very very small tank.