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Are Sumps Worth It? (1 Viewer)

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Mpolasek

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im on a budget im 16 years old and only get 15 dollars a week and sumps look good and helpful but for the price and time it takes to setup i dont know if its worth it i would have to buy a overflow and than a sump and find out what to do for my filter and pump and do lots of research just to not see the maintenance for my tank. but at the same time i have never had one and dont know how much it help till i have and you guys probably know so is it worth it
 
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This hobby takes you time and research! You can always buy a cheap used sump or diy one yourself if you are on budget.

This hobby isn’t cheap ! Even if you go cheap routes you’ll have to save a bit to get all your equipment. What do you have so far? Or wanting for your set up


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Mpolasek

Mpolasek

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i know its not cheap thats why i save up and do lots of research before i do anything because the last thing i want to do is hurt the fish or waste money
 
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Mpolasek

Mpolasek

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i have a canister filter, a 360 gph pump, a heater (no idea got it used but it works well ), a light for my fish that can be used for low light plants and its all in my 75 with 3 clowns ( they get along very well ), a rabbit fish (fox face ), and a lawnmower blenny ( for some reason the fox face is on top of or leaning next to the blenny when we leaves the rocks ). and im starting to research and save up for equipment to CONSIDER corals or anemones (they require lots and as i said i cant waste money and i dont want to kill them corals and anemones are living just like fish) so that is my set up. ( also have testing kit, net , 13 gallons of reverse osmosis carbon filtered .... ext on ready, lots of salt, a extra 30 gallon tank that currently has a 50 gallon filter keeping it good and its a backup. )
and when i said consider i would need a skimmer which is expensive and normally go in sumps and what also lead to this question being asked i would also need stronger and better lights and just time for a stable tank
 

decimal

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Alaways good to see new people show interest in Reefing. It is sort of like golf in that it can be super rewarding when things are going well and be an extreme exercise in frustration and patience when not. I would say look for a small(ish) set up for sale that needs some tlc. as far as your original question, a sump serves a bunch of different purposes and it depends on your needs and goals. Some of the basic components you will need are

Tank (Look for reef ready)
Heater
Light (if FOWLR doesn’t need to be too crazy)
Powerheads
Skimmer
Return pump

If you start with a FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) tank for instance, you can get away with a pretty simple set up. Even then you would consider a sump for

Expanded biological filtration capacity (refugium and so on)
A place to put your skimmer, heater and any other components you decide you might need

If you are after lps and sps, my recommendation would be double your budget (whatever it is) and get ready to substantially expand that list from above. That’s my 2c. Did you have a plan in mind already?

Lol answered above. I’m just slow !
 
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Mpolasek

Mpolasek

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well right now im on cruise control but planning on a bubble tip and other anemones right now coral will take some more research
 

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It sounds like a freshwater set up converted to salt. Stick with FOWLR and everything stays pretty manageable. Add the sump to allow you to keep more fish, put your skimmer in and hide some of your components.

You could try a bubble tip. They are not too difficult and are more like fish than lps and sps. Don’t have the same demanding light requirements as far as I know.
 
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Mpolasek

Mpolasek

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well its always been salt water but ill look at sumps i know the clown fish love some of my maintenance which is one of the reasons i want a bubble tip for them so they dont gather around the pump or care magnet anymore but thanks for the advice
and last question should i consider a skimmer that hangs on the back i dont mind the look that much and i already have the space for it behind the wall
 
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Mpolasek

Mpolasek

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yes i am getting live rock first but still getting it over time i already have made a arch and rocky area but the rabbit fish likes the more open area when hes out and the clown fish like the care magnet more so while getting rock is important im also saving up a little because black Friday is coming and if there is a good piece of lighting or a good skimmer i would want o get that if its on sale
 

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I don't have a sump I have 2 big hang on back filters. It is great for basic hardy corals and fish which is all I want. I have always been told to get the biggest tank you can get cus the fish/corals can only handle slow changes in water conditions or they die.
 

decimal

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I guess in order to really get any valuable input on your set up and what’s missing, you may want to post a list of what your have and maybe a few pics. From there I’m sure you will get a bunch of input from everyone here. 3 clowns, a fox face and a blenny in a 75g would not require a skimmer, sump or any of that. Adding a bubble tip should also not be a problem. Just diligent water changes every 2 - 3 weeks (some may have better input).
 

decimal

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Yeah.. Just for simplicity, a 5g bucket once a week or 10g every two weeks should be plenty. But please note I am by far not an expert and there many others here who have much more experience than I do.
 
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Mpolasek

Mpolasek

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ya i have a 5 gallon right next to my tank but i can easy change water just not now still treating for ich and its going well so im going to finish that than get ready to start changing and adding stuff
 
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