220gal tank

[Giants2]

Hey everyone,

New to saltwater but been keeping freshwater fish since I was 14 now 38. Right now I have a 220gal withb2 fx6s canisters and my plan was to go live sand/rock with the 2 fx6s but dont know what protein skimmer to get since I dont have a sump and honestly never had one before. Looking online there's so much information but im kinda getting lost to the point where salt seems crazy

 

[lapin]

Forget the skimmer if you don’t have a sump. The little hang on the rim ones are not sized for your tank.

 

[Giants2]

Ok so 2 fx6, live sand and rock and weekly wc which I alrdy do about 30% I should be Ok? Everywhere I read theu say I need a skimmer

 

[lapin]

People kept tanks before there were skimmers . Sumps were the solution to adding more filtration instead of relying on deep sand beds, canister filters and under gravel filtration.
With the sump you have an overflow which provides surface skimming . A fuge which can provide filtration. A skimmer is just one more level of filtration. Even with all of that water changes are still needed. ( my unpopular option )

 

[Giants2]

I found this skimmer ConeS HOB Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer. This might work with my setup while keeping both fx6s as well?

 

[Johnnyracer]

I run a 450g fish only without a skimmer. I dont care what they say. And previously i had a 180g fish only, sharks eels, lionfish, triggers, multiple groupers.....no skimmer. I have used a few different types of skimmers, but in short, they all suck. I wont use one again. My 450g will eventually be fully stocked with big fish. Ive got 250lbs of Tampa Bay Saltwater sand right from the ocean and a big sump. Water changes are key like you say.

Id definitely run the 220g with the FX6's and not worry. Be patient and let the nitrifing bacteria colonize and youll be good.

 

[Giants2]

I run a 450g fish only without a skimmer. I dont care what they say. And previously i had a 180g fish only, sharks eels, lionfish, triggers, multiple groupers.....no skimmer. I have used a few different types of skimmers, but in short, they all suck. I wont use one again. My 450g will eventually be fully stocked with big fish. Ive got 250lbs of Tampa Bay Saltwater sand right from the ocean and a big sump. Water changes are key like you say.

Id definitely run the 220g with the FX6's and not worry. Be patient and let the nitrifing bacteria colonize and youll be good.

How often are you doing a water change? Maybe getting a hob protein skimmer wouldn't be a bad idea as a just incase

 

[Westcoast_fishaholic]

Congrats on the upgrade! With a 220g and only two FX6s, I’d personally add a good protein skimmer rather than trying to rely on the canisters alone. It’ll help a lot with organics and make maintenance easier, especially as the fish grow and the bioload increases.

 

[Giants2]

Yeah that's my problem not being drilled and never had a sump before I dont know if I trust those overflow boxes if the power goes out. I was thinking 2 fx6s have one more for mechanical other mostly filled with filter pads and getting this skimmer skimmer ConeS HOB Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer once I start adding more fish. Im not even sure what I want to stock yet. Trying to get more information on equipment I need how much live sand n rock would cost roughly. I still have fish in the tank n an 18inch mbu puffer I would need to sell

 

[GT3000XX]

The overflow boxes are fine. I have been using them for over 30 years. I use Eshopps pf1200. A sump is the way to go. The overflow has sponge filters to trap large particulates. The sump can have either filter socks or roller mat to trap finer particulates. Now you have somewhere to put a properly sized protein skimmer. Also you can put your heaters in the sump as well.

 

[Giants2]

For a 220gal would a 20gal long work as a sump? What gph and pump should I look into

 

[Bob Weigant]

I wish you much success. When I used canister filtration I did not have good luck with corals. Fish only I was ok. For me a skimmer is a must when doing corals. Having said that Ive seen a few nice tanks without one I just wasn't one of them

 

[BryanM]

For a 220gal would a 20gal long work as a sump? What gph and pump should I look into

Anything CAN work as a sump.

But my 230g has a 50 gallon sump. If you're going to go to a sump, bigger is ALWAYS better IMO.

As for skimmer, I do not run one. I understand most reads = skimmers are mandatory, but they are not.