125gal. Tank pre-purchase question (overflow)

phanmc said:
For a saltwater tank, an overflow with a wet/dry system is very desirable. Nothing beats the biological filtration of a wet/dry system.
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Live rock and/or a deep sand bed (DSB) are WAY better biological filters - they complete the proccess and convert ammonia into nitrite,nitrite into nitrate and then nitrate into nitrogen gas, unlike wet/drys wich only convert ammonia into nirtite and nitrite into nitrate (leaving you with nitrate problems down the line). It is true that there excelent bio filters if you only want nitryfing bacteria, but the well researched marine aquarist will usually want/need the denitrifying bacteria as well. Not to mention, if your power goes out for more than 20-30 minutes, you can count on most of the bacteria in a wet/dry to be dead, sending your tank into a mini cycle, while with live rock and DSB's, your bacteria stays submerged and almost all the bacteria should survive a 2-3 hour power failure, probably even longer then that.
 
dorkfish said:
Live rock and/or a deep sand bed (DSB) are WAY better biological filters - they complete the proccess and convert ammonia into nitrite,nitrite into nitrate and then nitrate into nitrogen gas, unlike wet/drys wich only convert ammonia into nirtite and nitrite into nitrate (leaving you with nitrate problems down the line).
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So,

if I convert my 125gal. tank to SW/FOWLR and or SW-Reef are you saying that I could have excellent filtration without the need for a Sump/Wet-Dry filter system as long as either of the two tank setups mentioned contain:

A) Live Rock

and

B)a good DSB of Live Sand



I did just get done reading an article on this concept but would like further clarification that the Sump/Wet-Dry system is not needed at all "even" in the initial setup phase of either of the two types of SW/setups mentioned above.

You see I am trying to make an important decision on whether or not to get the "built-in" overlfow box before purchasing this 125gallon acrylic tank online.

What do you think dorkfish?

Should I get it with a built-in overflow box due to my desire to eventually (3-6yrs) convert it to a SW type of tank.


:help:
 
Related to your other post, GlassCages.com will add the overflow and drill the holes. No matter what type of aquarium you run, a sump offers some excellent filtration.

I would recommend a bottom drilled tank with a built-in overflow. To minimize noise and potential water spillage issues use a Durso Standpipe (they can be built or bought). Google it and you will see.

When I get my big tank, you can bet it will include a sump. Pure and simple, the added filtration and water volume is a win-win.
 
Pocketz said:
the Sump/Wet-Dry system is not needed at all "even" in the initial setup phase of either of the two types of SW/setups mentioned above.
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No self respecting saltwater aquarist will keep a tank without a sump. The bigger the sump, the better it is. Look in the marine section for more details, it is an essential component right up there with a protein skimmer.
 
gagaliya, I keep my marine tank without a sump. I can't exactly afford to get a sump setup at the moment, these things cost money you see. It is not essential, just benificial, however, that is an unnesisary benifit and my water still has low-no nitrate readings.

Pocketz, the wet/dry system in my honest opinion, is a waste of money. However, you should still get a sump for the increased water volume. It's also a good place to put your protein skimmker.

Live sand isn't nessisary for a deep sand bed, if you have LR, a "dead" sand bed will eventually become live.

Yes, you can have excellent filtration with just LR and a Deep sand bed.

A protien skimmer is also an excellent filter, that I would never recomend against and I highly dout any of my future marine tanks will be without one.
 
:dive2: Thanks everybody :dive2:

[edit]

I am going to get the aquarium with the overlfow :)
 
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Sumps do loose more added CO2, and tend to make noise. Both of these can be greatly reduced with some careful plumbing to reduce the churning of the water and air as much as possible. I went though 10ft of PVC pipe, trying different angles and arangements of plumbing where the water enters my sump. If you don't do this it will make a lot of noise, and blow off your CO2 really fast.
 
gagaliya said:
how is a sump expensive, that's probably the cheapest thing in a saltwater tank. All you need is a cheap aga glass tank, a water pump and some plumbing tubes.
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Over a $100. Not everybody can just come up with that kind of money at a moments notice and I personally could/can just barely afford my salty tank to begin with.
 
yeah saltwater is very expensive. I wouldn't make the plunge unless I had a lot of extra money lying around lol.
 
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