newbie

wow, thanks for all the info!
we are planning on either fish only, or fowlr. I don't think we are going to tackle a reef just yet. I definately plan on having a sump and skimmer. I know I'll need an overflow, because the tank is not drilled. I was thinking about trying to build the sump out of a 10 or 20 gal tank. the problem is inside the cabinet there is only about 10.5 inches deep because some braces that are built into it. so finding a tank to make a sump out that is narrow enough to fit may be hard to find.
I've already read the benefits of using live rock. but if we decide to go fish-only can we sort of "supplement" the biological filtration with bio-balls or something like that in the sump? is the bio filtration better, worse, or indifferent compared to using live rock?

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

hello and welcome to 3 reef

Steve

 

Welcome to 3reef.

 

Welcome to 3reef.
Good luck with the tank.
As you can see, there are some some very educated and friendly people on here.

 

Live rock is the most important filtration. I recommend having at least 1 lb per gallon. Most people stay away from bioballs in saltwater aquariums. Detritus sticks to the balls and begin to add more nitrates to to water. You can use them as long ass you clean them in the dirty saltwater after a water change, but live rock is better. Also as far as sumps go and trying to find one that fits in your stand, it doesn't have to be a tank, alot of people here use several rubbermaid containers as sumps and refugiums. That way you might be able to fit two small containers down there if one big one doesn't fit. And you can rig up a bulkhead between the two so water flows between them. Make sure you post your build thread once you get it started. WE LIKE PICTURES!!!!! ;D

 

hello and welocme