Fish Only Setup (mostly)

[jdewolftx]

All,

I have been out of the hobby for some time. I used to keep reef tanks but got a bit side tracked with another hobby. I have a 90 gallon tank that I would like to start up as fish only (besides some hermit crabs, snails, etc.). What setup do I need? Do I really need a sump? Could I get away with 3 inches of sand, some live rock, and a hang on the back protein skimmer?

For once in my life I would like to go simpler, rather than more complex. However, I want the animals to be healthy and happy.

Thanks for your advice.

-Jeff

[Jocko]

I'd say just see how things go. Get your 90 and get your sand and live rock in there. Once that's settled down, you can start to add a little livestock here and there. And just go slow and see how it goes. The live rock will ultimately make for a stable system that can support some happy fish.

Later maybe you decide you want a sump. Then you add a sump later. FOWLR is often a gateway drug if you know what I mean. Put most of your thought at this point into stuff that would be hard/expensive to change later. Like lighting for instance. The classic scenario is spending a decent chunk of cash on brand new power compact lights and within a few months realizing hey may you want to keep stony corals after all. And then it's, "man why did I waste my money on those PC lights!"

[Ceebuano]

Originally Posted by Jocko

And then it's, "man why did I waste my money on those PC lights!"

+1 on the quote this line made me laugh though hahahaha

[b0bab0ey]

Originally Posted by Jocko

I'd say just see how things go. Get your 90 and get your sand and live rock in there. Once that's settled down, you can start to add a little livestock here and there. And just go slow and see how it goes. The live rock will ultimately make for a stable system that can support some happy fish.

Later maybe you decide you want a sump. Then you add a sump later. FOWLR is often a gateway drug if you know what I mean. Put most of your thought at this point into stuff that would be hard/expensive to change later. Like lighting for instance. The classic scenario is spending a decent chunk of cash on brand new power compact lights and within a few months realizing hey may you want to keep stony corals after all. And then it's, "man why did I waste my money on those PC lights!"

+1 As long as you keep your bioload light, you should be able to do what you're saying. Just add plenty of rock for filtration and get a big enough skimmer. In your case, you'd want to overskim than underskim. Maybe in time add a HOB power filter or even a dual media reactor for carbon/GFO.

[dzfish17]

You dont need a sump but I would get a good HOB skimmer. Reef Octopus makes one (lx1000s) that does a great job and is rated for a 100g tank. I dont have a sump for my 600g and the fish are thriving. Use plenty of LR, 2/3" sand bed, and alot of flow and you'll be fine. Good luck.

[Indymann99]

I would just put in a sump... you can build one out of a $1 per gal tank sale (use the biggest you can fit under the stand). It is SOOOOOOOO much better to have the heaters and skimmer out of the DT. In sump skimmers are way better than hang on back and you can even do WC out of the sump and not affect the DT..

my 0.02

[ErinCahir]

The sump is worth it to me (as well) to hide all the equipment...

[papagimp]

sump would definalty be better imo but not neccessary if you keep maintance up properly. I'd personally look at a smaller sandbed or a much larger sandbed. I've had issues before going with the middle ground between a small sandbed (1") and a DSB.
I think your plan is definately feasable, just dont' confuse simpler with cheaper. simple can still get expensive for quality equipment

and btw....


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