If you go with a sump/skimmer kit, check to be sure that the skimmer is adequate for a 90. The advantage of building your own is that you can add whatever skimmer you want, as long as it fits in the space.
Where to get a sump? Please help...
- Thread starter valval1029
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OK, I believe I understand the sump (not everything, still have to read more). I am trying to figure out, How does a wet/dry differ? Is it only that the Bio-Balls act as a filter (which arent really needed with 1-2 lbs of live rock per gallon)?
What if I prefer to have only 45 pounds of live rock in a 90 gallon tank, then can I still use a sump but with bio-balls to act as a filter....
I like the idea of live rock as a "filter" but at 90 pounds thats about $450. or more.... Again, could I get some live rock and use a sump or wet/dry with the Bio Balls? It is less money from what I can see. (I don't know what 45 pounds of live rock would look like- how much room it would even take up in the tank...)
I know there are gazillions of ways to do this which is great and yet bad at the same time. Too many choices. It's hard to know the pros and cons of each. I, myself, prefer to keep things simple and for some crazy reason I have more confidence in something I buy to do a certain job than to put it together myself....
Therefore, some things to decide:
1) Do I get 90 or more pounds of live rock to act as a "filter" and use a sump for hiding equipment, maintaining water level??? Don't see if I really need a refugium- do I?
2) Do I just get a wet/dry with Bio-Balls (can I hide equipment in there too?) as filtration and use live rock as a decoration- not needing all 90 pounds.... Some wet/drys have built in skimmer.
Do I have the right idea here? IF I could clear up these couple of things, I would feel much better. Of course, I will keep reading...
What if I prefer to have only 45 pounds of live rock in a 90 gallon tank, then can I still use a sump but with bio-balls to act as a filter....
I like the idea of live rock as a "filter" but at 90 pounds thats about $450. or more.... Again, could I get some live rock and use a sump or wet/dry with the Bio Balls? It is less money from what I can see. (I don't know what 45 pounds of live rock would look like- how much room it would even take up in the tank...)
I know there are gazillions of ways to do this which is great and yet bad at the same time. Too many choices. It's hard to know the pros and cons of each. I, myself, prefer to keep things simple and for some crazy reason I have more confidence in something I buy to do a certain job than to put it together myself....
Therefore, some things to decide:
1) Do I get 90 or more pounds of live rock to act as a "filter" and use a sump for hiding equipment, maintaining water level??? Don't see if I really need a refugium- do I?
2) Do I just get a wet/dry with Bio-Balls (can I hide equipment in there too?) as filtration and use live rock as a decoration- not needing all 90 pounds.... Some wet/drys have built in skimmer.
Do I have the right idea here? IF I could clear up these couple of things, I would feel much better. Of course, I will keep reading...
Bio balls, as long as they are submerged, instead of in a drip pan like a wet-dry uses, will be fine--though they won't contribute cover for your fish or bring in diversity of life, like additional rock will. I do not like wet-dry setups--since the bio-balls will also trap solid wastes, but the critters that consume these solid wastes can't go ambling through the bio-ball area (these are not submerged, but rather have water the trickles through it, so the aquatic critters flushed through die and detrivores can't get to the trapped wastes). As a result, you rely on bacteria to break down solid waste, which means you have ammonia produced by more than just your fish and inverts. Also, wet-dry setups do not support the bacteria that consume nitrates, meaning you have to take care of them through alternate means (more frequent water changes, plants, etc). Live rock is the easiest option.
In terms of volume--135 pounds of live rock will probably take up about 40-75% of the tank, depending on the type of rock you get. Denser rock will have less surface area, but take up less space. More porous rock will take up more space, but provides more surface area, so you don't need as much to provide good areas for the bacteria. An average of of 1.5 pounds per gallon should allow you to have lots of open area, in addition to the rock piles needed for happy fish.
Live rock might sound boring and ugly--but it isn't. The good stuff is gorgeous, with lots of micro-inverts that will capture your fancy. People spend hours staring at their rock, finding new things all the time.
In terms of volume--135 pounds of live rock will probably take up about 40-75% of the tank, depending on the type of rock you get. Denser rock will have less surface area, but take up less space. More porous rock will take up more space, but provides more surface area, so you don't need as much to provide good areas for the bacteria. An average of of 1.5 pounds per gallon should allow you to have lots of open area, in addition to the rock piles needed for happy fish.
Live rock might sound boring and ugly--but it isn't. The good stuff is gorgeous, with lots of micro-inverts that will capture your fancy. People spend hours staring at their rock, finding new things all the time.
what 45 and 90 lbs look like
Here is my 90 with 45 lbs of Florida live rock (plus another 40 of base rock under the sand as support):
Here it is as of last night, with 90 lbs of live rock:
If you use less dense rock, like Fiji, it will fill more of the tank.
Here is my 90 with 45 lbs of Florida live rock (plus another 40 of base rock under the sand as support):
Here it is as of last night, with 90 lbs of live rock:
If you use less dense rock, like Fiji, it will fill more of the tank.
OH! That's looks great! Thanks! I was picturing a lot more rock than that.
So, IF I were to buy one of the following, I could remove the balls and put live rock and use as a sump (putting heater, skimmer, etc...)... (Assuming I don't dare to make my own sump...) Both actually have skimmers and refugiums I think. The third is plain acrylic with nothing in it.. If you have any comments on these models, that would be good, too...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4321676196&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4321187770&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4321901275&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
I won't rush in to buying, per all of your advice! Thanks,
Valerie
So, IF I were to buy one of the following, I could remove the balls and put live rock and use as a sump (putting heater, skimmer, etc...)... (Assuming I don't dare to make my own sump...) Both actually have skimmers and refugiums I think. The third is plain acrylic with nothing in it.. If you have any comments on these models, that would be good, too...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4321676196&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4321187770&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4321901275&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
I won't rush in to buying, per all of your advice! Thanks,
Valerie
