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.
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.
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.
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.
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 in Garner on 70 west of 40 on the right just past Agri-Supply,
to TR. Where are you in NC?
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