Sump needed?

[16galbeginner]

I was wondering if someone could tell me if I will need a sump. I am going to start a 16gal fish only with live rock. And maybe some spung down the road. Thanks

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Sumps are not required but are highly recommended by many. They provide additional water volume ( a big plus) and a place to hide ugly equipment ( heaters, skimmer, etc...) they can also house Chateo algea and possibly a deep sand bed, used for nutrient conversion.

On a side note, small tanks dont usually make good beginner marine systems. There's so little time to make corrections if things start to go wrong. Smaller tanks require much more care and attention from the hobbyist. IMO, its best to start off with as big of a tank as possible to make the experience much easier and enjoyable. Not to say that it can't be done, but you're chances greatly increase with a larger tank.
you should also be aware that there aren't many fish that can "fit" in a 16 gallon tank.
Clownfish (which many want) wont do well in a tank that size. Maybe a small goby but not much else.
if you're going to take a shot at a nano tank, do massive amounts of research before acting. The information found on sites like Reefland are a great place to start!