Hello! New here and new to saltwater...

Hello!


First off what an awesome and informative forum. I've been lurking here for days and i have learned a TON. I just recently acquired a 25 gallon tank with a nice oak cabinet stand. My husband and I have wanted to try our hand at creating a saltwater aquarium (preferably with reefs).

While I have the cabinet and the stand, I will need to purchase new lighting, filters, and everything else. But, I do not have a sump and would have to make one. And since the tank is relatively small in comparison to more popular saltwater tank sizes it begs the question of if I should save up and buy a larger tank and turn the 25 gallon into a sump? (Or sell it and buy bigger and build my own sump.. I read the really great DIY sump article here). Though, since we are new to this should we start small with the tank we have, and do we absolutely have to have a sump?

Thanks!

 

First, welcome to 3reef! Second, it is actually recommended to start larger than smaller. That being said, a 25 gallon is certainly large enough, even for a beginner. As far as whether you should keep that for a sump or not, the question is what you wanted to stock. A 25 is suitable for 2-4 fish depending on their size (i.e. nano size fish you could probably do 3-4, 20-30 gallon fish probably only 2).

Lastly, no, you do not have to have a sump. However it does a few things for you:

- Place to hide all of your equipment so your display tank (DT) is not cluttered.
- Extra water volume; always a good thing as it helps to keep your tank much more stable than a smaller one.
- You can easily do a refugium in the sump.

Hope this helps!

 

It would actually be easier to keep a larger tank,especially if you would like a reef.With a larger volume of water it is easier to keep things stable.With a 25gal. you would also be very limited when choosing the fish you would like.A sump is not entirely necessary but is the best way to go when choosing filtration.

 

Thank you for the fast replies!

I read a lot of mixed opinions on keeping a smaller tank. Some people find it harder, others find it easy as long as you don't over stock your tank. I really don't want to do a sump at this point and time if I don't have to, but I seem to have a little trouble finding info on how people begin their smaller tanks (with no sump) and how to properly maintain it. Like, detailed instructions.

My schedule is so hectic working from home and watching my two year old that often my research gets interrupted, a lot!

 

welcome to the forum and the hobby blupony! FWIW, I'd recommend that you start with the 25 gallon to get your feet wet with the hobby. I also understand how demanding life can be with a 2 year old so that's part of my thinking with the suggestion as well. I've been in the hobby for quite some time and have never had a sump (although am in the process of upgrading to include one) so it's very doable without one. Once you get the hang of things, then upgrading may be a good way to go. So glad you found this forum. It's full of very helpful and knowledgeable people.