What equipment is needed in sump?

[Angelajean]

Hello,
I have a 90 reef tank drilled with a 40 gallon sump that holds around 25 gallons water. We are going to redo our sump into a 29 because the 40 is just too big for the shelf it's on. I would like to have enough room for an Ato which my husband is going to make in the near future.

I have a protein skimmer and a return pump with some live rock and sand as well as a small amount of chaeto and a light.

I was looking at various equipment that people run and I see GFO/carbon reactors, phosphate reactor, UV sterilizer, etc.

What is necessary for a reef tank with fish?
Thanks for the help. This gets confusing sometimes, but I am a quick learner.
Angie

 

[Ted]

I prefer the K.I.S.S. principle...Skimmer, refugium, return pump. No reactors no sterilizers not even a filter sock. As far as keeping trace elements in the water. Well that is what water changes are for.

 

[Bifferwine]

An ATO is useful and most people wouldn't go without one. Same for a protein skimmer. I, personally, wouldn't go without a refugium. You can make part of the sump into a refugium. I always ran a dual carbon/GFO reactor (from Bulk Reef Supply -- BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor ).

Most people don't use a UV sterilizer. I wouldn't use one.

 

[Angelajean]

An ATO is useful and most people wouldn't go without one. Same for a protein skimmer. I, personally, wouldn't go without a refugium. You can make part of the sump into a refugium. I always ran a dual carbon/GFO reactor (from Bulk Reef Supply -- BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor ).

Most people don't use a UV sterilizer. I wouldn't use one.

The plan is to have 3 sections: skimmer, refugium, return with a bubble trap. Not sure where to do the bubble trap.

I do not quite understand the pros and cons of the GFO carbon reactor. I found a used RO/DI the 4 stage one from BRS for $70 and a BRS GFO carbon reactor for $30. Do I need an additional pump for it?

Thanks,
Angie

 

[Old_Moe]

I have a 29g sump also.

Here is some build info on it

https://www.livingreefs.com/sump-overflow-t37367.html#post513206

I did... Drain/Sock/Skimmer ..bubble Trap.... Return Pump/ATO Sensor/Heater .... Refugium

I dont run any reactors.

Hope it helps a little bit

 

[Bifferwine]

A carbon or GFO reactor will need a pump. For the BRS ones, a MaxiJet is included as an option that is sold with them.

GFO and carbon reactors are two different things, although BRS sells a dual reactor (the one I linked to) that runs both carbon and GFO at the same time. Both are used to clean and purify your water -- specifically, GFO removes phosphates and is probably the easiest, safest and cheapest way to keep phosphates low in your aquarium.