HOB versus Sump

[Merc Dr.]

I asked these questions in "New to Reefing", but I figured this is a better place. I'm planning my tank to set up this winter and I want to do it right the first time.

1. Is there a benefit to a sump over HOB skimmer other then water chemistry stability?
2. I don't want to have to pee every ten minutes. Which one makes the least noise(waterfall effect)? This tank is going right next to my TV so I can see it at all times.
3. I would be using an overflow box. I had seen in DIY how to make a standpipe for a reef tank. Is there a similar "Fix" to make the HOB overflow quieter?
4. Which one needs the least maintenence?
5. Which one is least likely to flood? (My wife will shoot me if this happens.)

Sorry if these questions get asked multiple times, but I'm trying to avoid the trial and error method that I'm sure alot of you have gone through. I'm hoping to feed off your expierience/mistakes.

Doug

 

[emmett0122]

hangons are fine if you dont mind looking at them in the back ground. you can set your sump so it doesnt make any more noise then a hang on filter. the best things about a sump is you dont have the clutter on the back of the tank. on water changes you dont have to dump the water directly in the tank you can add it to the sump and same when topping off your tank. the sump also gives you more water volume amd the more water the more stable. and if it is done right you will not flood anything. the one big thing for me is when i look in my tank i dont like to see a bunch of stuff in like the heater, filter, skimmer, and refuge if you are going to run one. but it is up to the person as to what he or she wants to do. hope this helps you out

 

[Merc Dr.]

I actually went to the local pet store that does alot of saltwater stuff today. The owner helped me out alot in deciding what set upto go with. I think I'm going to have a hole drilled in the back of the tank a couple inches down and put an intake elbow pointing upward on an angle to use gravity as a drain to a sump system. No worries about flooding as long as I don't overfill the sump and have holes drilled in the return elbow to break suction. It sounds like this will have the least amount of splashing.

The owner mentioned they are in the "no water change" frame of mind. Rather just add the supplements to the existing water. Anybody have any thoughts one way or the other on this?

 

[Bifferwine]

The owner mentioned they are in the "no water change" frame of mind. Rather just add the supplements to the existing water. Anybody have any thoughts one way or the other on this?

Sounds like they are in the "make you spend a whole lotta money at their store" frame of mind. ;)

Supplements are EXPENSIVE! It's much cheaper (and healthier for your tank) to just do water changes. One thing to consider is that you can't measure for the supplements in your tank. You are basically adding them blindly, and the organisms in each tank will use them up at different rates. You can overdose on supplements. Also, water changes don't only add good thing to the tank (which is what supplements are meant to replace), but they also remove bad things from the tank, like waste and dissolved organics. I think if you try to start up a new tank with no water changes, you will have neverending algae problems very quickly (and I bet they'll try to sell you a supplement to fix the algae problem, and it won't work). ;)

 

[emmett0122]

i agree with biff really dont care what you do there is nothing better for the tank then water changes and on a side note make sure you tank is not temped glass befor you try and drill it

 

[Merc Dr.]

I plan to take the tank to the glass shop to have them drill it. I figure it's their responsibility if it cracks.

As for the water changes, it sounds like they use this method on their store and personal tank. This is a local ma and pop store that I used to deal with for my freshwater tank. I've always had a good relationship with. Maybe I'll ask this question in "Chemistry" section just to get a poll from both schools of thought. Not that I'm doubting you guys, I would just like to educate myself as much as possible before building this tank. I always did water changes in my freshwater tank, but it seems like alot has changed in the last 5 years in both salt and fresh water fish keeping.

 

[Bifferwine]

Some glass stores make you sign a waiver in case the glass cracks. Not all will be responsible for it. Be sure to ask.

 

[emmett0122]

one thing you can do is if you know who made the tank to begain with you can contact them and ask them if it is tempered or not. that is what i did cuz i wanted to drill mine rather then a hang on overflow. but i found out that all the panels on my tank are tempered so i had to go with a hang on overflow. but they are fine and will not flood your tank or sump as long as they are installed the right way. i have built my own overflow and it works very well. i don't have to worry about the power shutting off as it will keep its prime but once the water drops to the top of the overflow it won't take anymore water out of the tank and the hole drilled in the return line will stop that from taken out of the tank. but the big thing with trying to drill tempered glass is it wont crack it will shatter in little pieces. but good luck with how ever you do it

 

[Merc Dr.]

If I remember correctly, it's an All-Glass.

 

[emmett0122]

that's who made mine and they told me if it was a kit tank all panels were tempered. my is a 55gal

 

[Merc Dr.]

Mine is about 18 years old if that helps any. I bought it with a stand and canopy.