which one first sump or skimmer?

[ded08221]

ok i only get paid once a month so i have to decide between the sump and skimmer this month. i believe that i want to set up the sump first that way when i do purchase a skimmer i can get on that goes in the sump rather than a hang on. i have a 55g FO right now. i am going to make it a reef later this year. i would like to set up about a 20g sump. will that be sufficient.

 

[Anonymous]

I would go remora skimmer first.

Then when you get your sump you can hang it on. Or slightly change it into an urchin

 

[reefNewbie]

or you could just get the sump now because its not going to hurt anything to run skimmerless especially since its a FO tank. Skimmer may not even be necessary at all till you go reef.

 

[Anonymous]

whoops didnt read the FO part

 

[ded08221]

thanks a lot i think i'm going to do the sump first at the end of the month. is a 20g about what i need though?

 

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't you need a skimmer unless its a reef?

I think that you need a skimmer more to remove the nutrients left behind by the fish.
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Christianity Forum

 

[ded08221]

i realize i will need a skimmer but i have to get these two things one at a time. i need to know which one would be better to get first.

 

[Anonymous]

Maybe get the sump first and do more frequent water changes to remove the excess nutrients in place of the skimmer meantime.

That way you can get a better skimmer that can go into the sump.
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Mercedes Axor

 

[ded08221]

what is a good skimmer for under 200. i do not want to spend more than that. from reading i don't believe i will have to either. aqua c's seem to be the top choice. by the way to remind you it is a 55g

 

[ded08221]

dealing with the sump. only a 10 gallon will fit under my stand. i was wondering if a 10 would be a large enough sump. i can make a 20g work if i must. i just have a 10 gallon laying around and it fits perfectly.

 

[baseman]

You'd have more room for a skimmer and return pump with a 20g. The 20g long is 10 in. longer than the 10, and 2 in wider. However, depending on the construction of the stand, you may have a hard time getting a 20 in the stand. I have a 20g sump under my 75, but I had to put it in the stand from the top. It won't fit through the doors in the front because the tank is too close to the wall.

 

[ded08221]

so will it work with a 10.

 

[Unarce]

You'll certainly be able to work with the 10g just fine. Most are advocates of "more is better" because the extra volume provides a larger margin for error, making things a bit easier. 18% is a good proportion for sump and tank size.