To sump...or not to sump...

[tdawg57]

I am able to get a nice 50 gallon tank plus stand for under $100. Which is a fantastic deal, and I'm looking to turn it into a reef tank. It's a glass tank so it will be a little tough to drill, if that's even possible. So I was wondering the importance of a sump on a tank of that size. Would it be sufficent enough to just run a hanging filter and an intank protien skimmer? Or would you highly suggest the sump.

Also, I just purchased a maroon clown and really wanted another one. I was missinformed and thought that clowns were mainly peaceful if the same type, but apparantly it's if they are put in at the same time. Would it be a problem if I purchased another clown tomorrow or the next day. I just bought the one today, so is that close enough together?

Trevor

 

[Adrinal]

 

[wonder371]

first of all i have no experiance. but my the only reason i would goto sump would be to make a refrigium, get rid of hanging things in my tank (all pumps, skimmers, sterilizers can now be hooked up to sump), mechicanical or wet/dry filteration. If you don't want to grow your own food/plants, have more places to hang equipment, or are in need of better filteration then i wouldn't see why you would need one.

 

[ste2k3]

as for a sump, it is always better to have a sump if you can even if it just makes in look neater. you can do it just as well withg hang on equipment as long as you go for good equipment. Are you going for a reef or fish only tank?

ste

 

[tdawg57]

I was hoping to go for a reef tank. They are just beautiful. Does anybody know how easy it is to drill into glass? Plus I'm a begginer at this, so what type of sump set up would you reccomend?

Trevor

 

[Adrinal]

do a search on that.. there are some posts.

Level of difficulty... the thicker the glass the easier to drill, but the more tedious.

 

[ste2k3]

I build and drill tanks a couple of days a week and like adrinal said, the thicker the glass, the easyer but I would get it done professionaly.

ste

 

[tdawg57]

Any idea on how much that would run?

 

[RamJet]

It runs me around $20.00 a hole, but if the tank breaks, well, your out a tank.

 

[tdawg57]

So ramjet...would you recomend having and over the tank system? Just to be on the safe side? After all it's an undrilled glass tank and if it breaks, well I'm out a ton of money. Don't get me wrong, my fish are my upmost priority, but money is also an issue, and if an over the tank system works, would that just be safer?

 

[ste2k3]

like ramjet said, if it breaks, it breaks and its your loss, but it shouldn't cost too much to have a new base fitted, if it did break.

ste

 

[RamJet]

Some tanks also have tempered glass bottoms. If you try to drill one, it will shatter in a million pieces. I went with an overflow that hangs on the back of the tank. It was around $80.00 U.S. You can see it in the photo below if you look for it.
I also have a 15 gallon that is getting drilled as we speak. The tank did not have a label, but I am having it drilled on the back wall just in case.

 

[Adrinal]

 

[tdawg57]

I'm located in the States, good ol' Santa Barbara Ca. Um, In my 26 gal. right now I'm using an over the tank Penguin 330. Is 330 GPH enough for a 50 gal. tank? If so then I'm set for the filter, just need to add a bigger skimmer. Also since I have you here, we are going through a huge heat wave right now and I'm worried about the temp. in my tank. I've managed to keep it down to around at 81 degree's at it's hottest, and it only fluctuates around 3 - 4 degrees from mid day to night time. Is that going to be okay? Or do you have any secrets on how to keep a tank cool, I don't quite have the money for a chiller right now, thought I did but some things fell through. Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[ostrow]

That temp swing should be fine. Do you have AC? If not you may need a chiller in So. Cal. Check the SoCa board on Reef Central.