Can you have a successful reef without a sump?

[Freddy Twotimes]

I have all the right equipment recommended to me by my local fish store to run my 55 gallon non reef ready all glass aqarium. Unfortunately, my tank is only 13" wide and the stand I bought when this was a fresh water planted tank does not have clearence for a sump.

In place of a sump, I am using a Whisper mechanical filter I had without any media filter pads. I put my carbon and my Kent Marine Power Phos Phosphate remover in bags where the filter pads usually go so the water flows through them. I belive this Whisper filter pumps 330 GPH but I won't go as far to say its A LOT of water flow running those bags...but its what I have and I am using the carbon and Phosphate remover as the fish store had instructed.

I have had some problems with Nirtate and Phosphate levels prior to getting a nicer skimmer and the Phosphate remover which was recommended to me by my fish store last week. The origonal skimmer I bought was not very good and was creating a lot of problems for me. When my fish store told me to upgrade to this better model, the Coralife Super skimmer 65, I did not question him.

I am currently working with the fish store in getting my water quality under control and comming up with a maintenance schedule. I am not aware if what long term effects will result with my new, seemingly corrrect setup.

Can I maintain a good water quality without a sump if everything else I am doing is correct?

[BubbaWPB]

There is nothing magical about a sump. It just makes certain types of filtration and circulation easier. Although I haven't tried it, I don't see why you couldn't run a tank without a sump.

[captain Jim]

I agree a sump is recommended not required.
There are added benefits such as incerased surface area, the ability to place small animals on display, and a place to put all your equipment without cluttering your display tank.
I dont have one either, but I think of my display tank as more of an ongoing project than a display!

[charles6299]

i look at it like this...you don't NEED to brush your teeth, but you'll wish ya did in a couple of years !

[WillieM96]

I have a 50 gallon tank and I'm doing it without a sump...for now. I'm just starting up but right now I've got a hang on protein skimmer, 50 lb of live rock, and a canister filter for carbon and anything else like that. I'll let you know how it works!

[Freddy Twotimes]

Me too, I have a 55 gallon with 90 lbs of sand, a hang on the back skimmer, a whisper filter that I use without filter pads...for carbon and Power Phos, 2 power heads with 64 pounds of live rock. I am turning my water over 20 times an hour and want to do a soft coral tank with a candy cane or two. I even have a UV sterilizer.

I should be ok with routine water changes and maintenance. It seems like most people have sumps but me! [us!]

[dragonladylea]

No sump here, just the skimmer.

[Freddy Twotimes]

Nice tank. Thats what I wanted to see! Hope!

[dragonladylea]

Thank you, Hopefully after tomorrow (going to a frag swap) it will be a little fuller.

[gregb]

You can fill the sump with plants for nitrate export.

[mandarin_watcher]

You don't have to have a sump, My system is three year old never had one. I am now upgrading to a 180gal and I will definatly have a sump and refuge on this system.
But from what I am reading it sounds like you just have a wal-mart HOB whisper filter. Problem. (Iam not 100%) but doesn't the water fillin the back and have to flow foward. It will be very hard to get the water to flow through the carbon and pho ban. instead of over. I thing your best option would be to get a canister filter. Those are designed to force the water through the media. I'am not sure what kind of stand you have, but your sump and what ever does not have to sit under, It just looks nicer. You can set up a sump next too. beside. I have even heard of some people putting them above the tank. (I am sure you really need to know what you are doing on that one).
Make sure your filtration system (which ever you chose) is actually filtering the water. not just letting water flow over it. Make sure you have a very good cleaning crew. Lots of snails and then get more snails. Lastly as long and you are useing RO water (reverse osmosis) Do Not!!! Do Not!!! use tap
water!!! Throw in a couple power heads to make sure you are getting a great circulation going on in there. You will be fine. And don't forget to stay on top of your water changes.

[SKRIZ]

you don't need a sump. I ran a reef tank for years without a sump and it flourished just fine. the only problem was that my equipment was all in the tank or around it. if you can deal with that, then you shouldn't have any problems.

btw, the sump does not have to be very large. you said that your stand is small...how much space do you have? if it can fit a small rubbermaid container or bucket, you can easily accomodate a sump. it doesn't take much.

[blue_eyes53813]

Ive never had a sump.. I have a 265 gallon and never had a problem with nitrates.

[John Hamilton]

i look at it like this...you don't NEED to brush your teeth, but you'll wish ya did in a couple of years !

See what you get if you do? ---->