filtration

[micahdeane]

i have a 55gal that will have 45-50lbs of LR and 4-5in DSB. the question i have is, i have been told to get a good skimmer and a sump, but do i have to have a sump? can i have 2 good skimmers and good water circulation? or is it best to have a sump thanks for your time
micah

 

[Anonymous]

With a 55 gallon aquarium you are in a limbo area. If you ever plan on going to a bigger aquarium you'll want an in-sump skimmer. However if you think you'll be sticking to this 55 for a few years then you'll be fine with an Aqua C Remora or Remora Pro (I'd probably go with the Pro). I've been growing more and more disenchanted with HOT skimmers in general for tanks bigger than 40 gallons however as I really don't think they can come close to a good in-sump model.

 

[Anonymous]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

...if you think you'll be sticking to this 55 for a few years then you'll be fine with an Aqua C Remora or Remora Pro (I'd probably go with the Pro). I've been growing more and more disenchanted with HOT skimmers...

Tom, What do you think about the PM-HOT1?

 

[micahdeane]

what i am asking is with all the LR and DSB i have do i have to have a sump? or do i really need to get one?

 

[auto_loader]

I would say that you do not HAVE to use a sump.

However, A sump does give a lot more flexibility by allowing you to hide your equipment like skimmer, heater, and ground probe. It will keep your water level constant in the main tank. Your overflow will skim the surface and keep it clean from floating debris. Also you can grow macro algae in there to help export nutrients. Theres probably a few more advantages.

Can you still have a really nice tank without a sump? Absolutely.

I do not have a sump on my 55 gallon tank. I am using a CPR Bak Pak skimmer and hide my ground probe and heater in the skimmer. It works great.

 

[micahdeane]

could u tell me what a ground probe is and what it is used for?
thanks for you time and info

 

[danmhippo]

He is absolutely right, plus, you will be able to banish problematic critters to the sump if you find it necessary to isolate it from the main tank.

 

[micahdeane]

i am going to make a sump, i am going to use a rubermaid tub, would a 20gal be good for a 50gal or should it be bigger? also should the sump be longer and shallower or tall and deep? thanks for your time
micah