Bingo! - this is where i would suggest if you can lay eyes on one at a fish store or someone who has a setup do so. I think once you see it, it will all make sense. if i can find the photo i took of my tank setup i'll send it to you.
new to saltwater
- Thread starter Flying_Diamond
- Start date
awesome. i think i'm beginning to understand it. i still need to read the info zippo sent me though.
question; do you have to have an overflow and sump on a saltwater tank?
what happens if you don't; where does everything go?
question; do you have to have an overflow and sump on a saltwater tank?
what happens if you don't; where does everything go?
You don't, technically, but all the filters and stuff to do the job adequately will be hanging off the side of your tank (or in your tank). Now as much of an engineer as i am, i would rather look at the inhabitants than filter equipment. You will need some sort of bio filter, heater and skimmer. Since those take up space, the best place to hide them is in a sump. I know there are filters (like Skilter[sp?]) that hang on the tank, and some all-in-one filters that sit inside the tank but i have no experience with them (Nor their cost...). i wait for the "Dollar a gallon" sales at the local chain pet shop to pick up 10 or 20g tanks for Quarantine and sumps.
You don't have to have a overflow/sump right away but it is the preferred method of filtration. I have an emperor 400 on my 44 gallon at the moment but i am switching up to an overflow/sump as soon as i can afford the return pump. The sump does a better job at removing the bad fuel sources(phosphates and nitrates) so algae doesn't grow as much in your display tank. Placing live rock rubble is the best to put in the sump and if you want to go to the next step put a 6500k CFL (compact fluorescent bulb) and put some cheato in with the live rock. Also a sump is a good place to put a protein skimmer and other equipment so it doesn't clutter up the display tank.
