Hello Everyone....long time lurker, first time poster here.
I've wanted to do a reef tank for the last 10 years and couldn't wait to move out of my small apt and buy a house that would provide me with the space. Last year I was fortunate enough to make that happen and naturally the itch to set up a tank was become unbearable...it's time to act! I've done a fair amount of research and reading on this awesome website and came to the conclusion that for my first reef tank I'd do a 65 gallon FOWLR (adding some corals down the line) without a sump (mainly for budgetary/space restrictions).
I was disappointed to visit a highly regarded LFS only to have the people I spoke with completely dismiss the idea of no sump. They basically told me it couldn't be done. I've read enough to know that it absolutely CAN be done, and started to wonder if maybe these guys were just trying to sell more equipment. When I then asked if they stock tanks that I could look at (finding where to buy a tank and stand is also I'm struggling with mightily) they simply googled red sea reefer and showed me the computer...again disappointed.
Is there something about not having a sump as a beginner that would make things especially difficult? Is it the size? Anyone have experience with that kind of tank to start in the hobby? Any advice anyone has to offer would be greatly appreciated!
Tom
I've wanted to do a reef tank for the last 10 years and couldn't wait to move out of my small apt and buy a house that would provide me with the space. Last year I was fortunate enough to make that happen and naturally the itch to set up a tank was become unbearable...it's time to act! I've done a fair amount of research and reading on this awesome website and came to the conclusion that for my first reef tank I'd do a 65 gallon FOWLR (adding some corals down the line) without a sump (mainly for budgetary/space restrictions).
I was disappointed to visit a highly regarded LFS only to have the people I spoke with completely dismiss the idea of no sump. They basically told me it couldn't be done. I've read enough to know that it absolutely CAN be done, and started to wonder if maybe these guys were just trying to sell more equipment. When I then asked if they stock tanks that I could look at (finding where to buy a tank and stand is also I'm struggling with mightily) they simply googled red sea reefer and showed me the computer...again disappointed.
Is there something about not having a sump as a beginner that would make things especially difficult? Is it the size? Anyone have experience with that kind of tank to start in the hobby? Any advice anyone has to offer would be greatly appreciated!
Tom