Hey everyone I am trying to set up a new 30gl saltwater tank I am trying to decide what is better a good canister fliter or going the route of the sump. I am looking to just keep fish invertebes and one or two anenomes. I am currently runing a 25gl tank with hob filter and basic lighting, so I am still really new to this any help would be great.

I'd pass on the canister filter. Inverts, and especially anemones can be very sensitive to nitrates, and canister filters can generate lots of nitrates.

Beyond that, anemones require stable, mature conditions, and lots of light. I'm hoping you're not planning on tossing one in a new tank.

thanks any ideas what would be good for a fliter unit

oh no they will not go in until I know more of what I am doing so who knows when that will be lol

Live rock is about the best filter you can use. I'd go with the sump as well, as it will allow more water volume, space for a skimmer, media reactors, a refugium, more live rock or whatever else you'd like to stick down there.

I'm glad to see you're doing plenty of research before hand.

Thanks I am trying to get a really good system going. I got the tank about 2 months ago and have been obsessed ever since. For a 25gl what size sump would you recomend

It is generally good to use the largest sump you can.
1. The more water volume you have the more stable the parameters will be.
2. More room for equipment. (I measured carefully and thought I left plenty of room for my skimmer but I wish I had a little more space in there. And down the road there is sure to be some equipment that you want to add.)
3. If there is enough space in the sump, part of it can become a refugium.

My sump is limited to what fits in the stand but if you are not limited by that go fairly large. Some folks have plumbing through the walls or into the basement and have large sumps and may even connect frag tanks and such there.

Also consider some space for an auto topoff reservoir.

Hey Troy and :welcome: to TR. Where are you in NC?

For the 25 gallon tank I would try to use at least a 10 gallon for a sump. That would at least give you some room to stash some of your equipment. For filtration I use LR, LS and a protein skimmer.

hey I am in Clayton nc what about you? thanks to everyone for all the advice

Hey, we are neighbors, I am in Willow Spring.

agreed with all the above. a 10 gallon would be sufficient and fit under a stand. size permitting you might be able to put a little fuge in there. but it would be tight.

Oh nice now I have someone to come help when I really mess this up hahah

LOL, just give me a call!

dang !! i have to wait until september to see Carmie, and you have her at your service anytime !! how lucky is that !! ??

dang !! i have to wait until september to see Carmie, and you have her at your service anytime !! how lucky is that !! ??
See, you should have made it to Pittsburgh!

Haha I quess I am pretty lucky. Hey I just moved here from up north what are some good fish stores around here and do they ever have any cool expos around here?

Gee you have 3 super stores within a very few miles of you! Down Under Saltwater Fish and Coral (http://www.downundersaltwater.com/) in Garner on 70 west of 40 on the right just past Agri-Supply, Reef Keepers Aquarium (http://reefkeepersaquarium.com/go/) in Clayton on Old 70 on the left just west of Shotwell Rd (there is a BoJangles on 70/Shotwell), and Aquatica (http://www.isaacsaquatica.com/) on 42 on the left west of 40 in the section of buildings before CVS. There are also a couple of nice shops in Raleigh.

The Raleigh Aquarium Society's Carolina Aquarium Workshop is coming up Feb 29-March 2. 2236 Friday is the big saltwater night and there will be saltwater fish, corals, macro, equipment and dry goods in the auction.

Where did you move from? I grew up in NE Ohio.

I have been to Down under it is right down the street from me I never knew about the other ones though I am going to have to check them out for sure.