New 50 gallon tank

I recently have a 20L salt water tank, But i want to go bigger i found a great deal in a 50g tank with stand so I am going to go with that. I just had a few question i wanna diy a sump but am not sure what size tank to use? I have the 20L which my fish are in now so I can't use that also have a 10g which i think is to small I think. I will purchase another tank if it requires bigger. Will a sump be better than a canister filter? or can I use either or? Also last question for now about a skimmer I have no clue about them so any input to which one to use and all that would be amazing.

Thanks for any help,
Mark

 

You should set up the 50 without a sump, cycle it first and then add your livestock from the 20 in the 50 and then convert the 20 into a sump, 20L are very common for sumps and it would be perfect for your 50.

 

The best size sump for any application is the biggest one you can fit under your stand. A 20L would work very well if it fits.

Yes, sumps are far superior.

An SWC 120 cone would be a perfect match for this tank:

Xtreme 120 Cone Protein Skimmer

Review:

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/swc-xtreme-120-cone-protein-skimmer-review-85280.html

Thanks for any help,
Mark

 

So when cycling the 50 don't use anything? Just live sand, live rock, and than the saltwater mixture? And in thats case am i gunna need more than 50 pounds of live rock?

 

If you get a canister filter rated for double the size of your tank it will work. However, a sump would be better. You can get an in sump skimmer which are better than hang-on skimmers. It adds more water to the system than a canister can. You can build it to your needs as well. I would buy a 20L from petco. They are doing a $1 a gallon sale right now. I would then build the sump and install it before any water is added to the 50. This makes it easier to work with. You also don't have to worry about water dripping.

 

Is your 20gallon up and running?

 

+1. And if the 20L won't fit under the stand, a 10 would be just fine.

 

20 litres = roughly 5 gallons. personally i would go with minimum 10 gal for your sump. 20 would be better. would allow more room for a skimmer and such. 50 lbs of live rock is a good starting point. a pound to a pound and a half per gallon is usually the rule of thumb. good luck with it all.

guy

 

beat me to it..

 

I believe the 20L stands for 20 long in this instance. I sure hope so, as that was how I read it and that influenced my previous advice.