[reefbeginner]

Hi everyone, I have a question!

60 gallon tank FOWLR heading towards reef. There are 3 fish (maroon clown, lawnmower blenny, pajama cardinalfish),plenty of hermits and snails, and a fire shrimp.

Wanted to know if a trickle down filter (has a "sump" and skimmer built in as well as overflow box) with carbon media bag and bio balls removed (we have 80 lbs of live rock) will suffice for a reef tank? (TOM Rapids pro series p3 Rapids Pro Wet/Dry Aquarium Filters | Wet/Dry Filters | Filters | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com)

I keep hearing (and am becoming more convinced) that what I really need is a sump/refugium and a much better skimmer. Should I save all budget for that for future upgrades or do I need to do it now?

I intend for this tank to stand at least a few years and if what I have is just barely enough, it might be better to bite the bullet and upgrade now. What I want to know is if my current setup could be ok.

We have several powerheads producing lots of flow. Our tests have a presence of nitrates (nothing too bad) and some amonia (I am guessing this is leftover from new live rock put in over a week ago? only like 15lbs cured) and Ph is a little low (over 7.8, but often under 8.0)

Will this little sump/filter system cut it for a full blown reef tank with softies and all? We have a chiller if needed and are good about replacing the airstone and cleaning the skimmer cup. It doesn't make much waste (not sure if this is because we have a small load or if it is just working crappy)

Eventually, I absolutely want to build a refugium sump and get a better skimmer (for this tank, I have settled on the Aqua C Remora) but I could get reef lighting much sooner if I can save skimmer/sump budget for another time.

thanks
reefbeginner

[jsheffel]

Other than increasing the total gallons in your system, providing a place for equipment that you do not want seen in the main tank and a place to have a refugium, a sump does nothing for your setup. All biological filtration happens in the live rock. As a result, the size of the sump only needs to be big enough for whichever of the first three things you want to accomplish. If you intend to add a seperate refugium later, the sump only needs to be big enough for your skimmer.