Hi, I'm new to the saltwater world. I see so many ways to go. Sump, no sump, protein skimmer ect. Let me just ask a few questions. I'm trying to build a 60 gallon tank on a budget with plans to expand it later. However I don't have the space or cash for a set up with a sump. My plans are to have a few fish and some corals. Do I need a sump? What kind of filtration will work best without? Please please help as I've invested a lot already and I'm getting discouraged. Thank you so much for input.
You do not need to have a sump. The main purpose of the sump is to hide equipment from inside the tank. Such as heaters, skimmers and media reactors. A sump also adds some more water to your system. More water helps dilute the waste fish create, but if you do regular water changes it will be ok. You can make up aquarium as high tech or as simple as you want or can afford. I have had very nice saltwater tanks in the 20-30 gallon range with no sump. It all depends on what you want to keep. Most people do softies, but with dedicated husbandry you could probably do SPS. You would have to use some good LEDs to keep the heat down though. Maybe even T-5s. I had an awesome rose anemone tank and another zoanthid tank. I just had hang on back freshwater aquarium filter from Petco on it. I like to use a good canister filter and remove the bio media and just use carbon and nitrate remover in the media baskets/trays. Oh, and by the way I have been Reefer of the Year in this awesome club. So, I do have a little experience with set ups.
I bought the Marineland Emperor 400 but it won't fit because of the tank brace. I do have a tank circulator and a protein skimmer just thinking what kind of filter to use. HOB or a canister style?
