question about big tanks?

simple_mr2

AC Members
Jan 11, 2005
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i was reading somewhere that a guy had a big tank (100 gal plus i think) and he said he used a 55 for a sump or something like that, maybe a resivior or something, one, what was he using the tank for, and two, do all big tanks need something like that, i am getting a 100-150gal in the spring for my apartment.


thanks
jared
 
Basically its easier to keep tank params the larger the water volume is so alot of people have a large display and a smaller tank below to add to the water volume. Also alot of people use their sump for holding items like heaters and filtration devices.
 
so is it nessecary to have a sump tank or what, or can i just have like a 90-100 gallon, and no sump tank? or maybe even a 125 120gal with no sump


thanks
jard
 
From what I understand, sump tanks are NOT required, but they do help. I guess it is just a matter of opinion, and how much money you are willing to invest in your setup. Sump tanks are very useful just like stated above, but you do not have to have a sump to have a sucessful setup.

Bradd
 
stephenray75 said:
No all tanks dont need that but the bigger the sump the better. with a 55 refugium he has great filtration. IMO I wouldnt go with a sump smaller than 40gallons
New to this site, been in salt for quite a long time. The term "refugium" Can you define for me?
I have a 140 gallon reef tank, tank relatively new (replaced a scratched up ancient acrylic) Has 2 corner overflows, bottom of tank is drilled twice at each corner w/ bulkheads installed. 2 more holes drilled in back behing the live rock wall. Has a W&D filter under w/ bioballs, probably holds 40+ gallons. It's nearly same width as tank.
I have probably 50 lbs of live sand in it also. I run 4 mag drive pumps w/ a Tsumani wave maker, a titanuim chiller & a big Berlin protein skimmer & heater in sump. Aplso use 2 big PH for chiller & skimmer in & out of sump. Tank probably has 200 lbs of live rock & I don't recall how much sand/crushed coral in bottom of tank. This tank & most all the equipment is 7+ years old. The live rock is original to tank- shipped out from Florida when they dove out there & just took it off the reef. Lighting is VHO- 6 tubes total w/ remote ballasts. Tank is healthy, some of these corals are many years old. I've had bare bottom, live sand, and now a mix of live sand/crushed coral. Use RO water & mix the brew in new 35 gal trash cans. I do 20% water changes every 2 weeks. Probably old technology by today's standard- just never heard the term refugium before I came here. Maybe I should get a reef mag & see what trick equipment I've been missing out on.

Pic of my moneypit full of water-

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/551859/2111805/33556639.jpg
 
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