50g setup help

[3dshooter]

Going to setup a 75 reef system. Planning on doing a no sump (less I can be convinced I have to have it) and I'm looking for some quality middle of the road ($$) components.

Going with a glass aquarium.

Thinking this for lights- http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...7&pcatid=28127 that is unless someone tells me it won't work.

Skimmer.. I do not have a clue. From what I have read it sounds like overkill will not hurt me? If that's the case, what do you suggest and why?

This one, if not already obvious, should show I'm a newbie.

What's an overflow tank? Do I have to have it?

Filter. I've seen some people say that another filter is needed beyond the skimmer. Just a carbon filter or something else?

I know there is stuff I'm missing but I'm half nervous asking questions after being on other forums for other stuff. I see there is a search function but if I used it, I wouldn't have reason to be social and talk to some people who are quite obviously very informed and genuinely interested in helping out.
Thank you.

[3dshooter]

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot.

Next weekend I plan on grabbing the skimmer so any help is appreciated.

[swk]

Plenty of sump less tanks out there, but I personally would never even attempt it. If you're new, why not give yourself every possible chance to succeed?

Depending on what you plan to keep, I would look elsewhere for lights.

I have a 75 gallon with 20 gal sump and use a reef octopus nwb-150. It's a cheap skimmer but works extremely well IMO. Don't see a need to spend 500 on a skimmer when I got this one used for 150 and it performs very well for me

[3dshooter]

Originally Posted by swk

Plenty of sump less tanks out there, but I personally would never even attempt it. If you're new, why not give yourself every possible chance to succeed?

Depending on what you plan to keep, I would look elsewhere for lights.

I have a 75 gallon with 20 gal sump and use a reef octopus nwb-150. It's a cheap skimmer but works extremely well IMO. Don't see a need to spend 500 on a skimmer when I got this one used for 150 and it performs very well for me

Granted I've got a lot more reading to do but I know and have so far seen nothing on setting up a sump.

What are the benefits of having one or pitfalls of not having one?

[DocHogan]

Had reef tanks with sump and without and now won't have a tank that doesn't also have a sump. The reasons listed are my opinion why a sump is better.
1) adds water volume 75g plus 25g sump is roughly about 90ish gallons of actual water
2) Protein skimmer.... You can put a much more efficient skimmer in the sump than trying to hang it off your tank.
3) Extra space for carbon or whatever media you may want to use
4) Hides a lot of your equipment (heaters, pumps, skimmers, filters)
5) Ease of adding top off water and additives

[3dshooter]

Is there something that available to use with a sump that will stop an overfill situation if power is lost?

It's never out more than an hour or so but we live an area that loses quite often during boomer storms.

[DocHogan]

The siphon tube (drawing a blank on the proper name) has a hole drilled in it that breaks the siphon once the water reaches the hole. If set up properly you should not have any issues. You could also buy a battery back up for the sump return pump if you wanted add piece of mind.

[3dshooter]

Originally Posted by DocHogan

The siphon tube (drawing a blank on the proper name) has a hole drilled in it that breaks the siphon once the water reaches the hole. If set up properly you should not have any issues. You could also buy a battery back up for the sump return pump if you wanted add piece of mind.

Thank you. Hadn't thought of that.