New to this, need suggestions

[13schmn]

I recently bought a 55 gallon tempered glass aquarium with a stand and am wanting to start a saltwater tank with a few fish, live rock and a few anenomes. I am looking at a reef octopus hob protein skimmer but other than that have nothing else bought. Anyone have suggestions on powerheads or any other equipment?

 

[SPSREEFS]

Hi 13schmn,
Sounds like you off to a great start! So, your going for a hang on back skimmer? Then I am assuming no sump?? If so, that's a great skimmer. I run a Reef Octopus on my 65 gallon reef and love it.
If you want anemones you will need brighter then average lighting. I would recommend the Reefbreeders led fixtures. Excellent and very affordable.
For flow, whats your budget like?

 

[13schmn]

I was under the impression that i couldn't do a sump because it is all tempered. I have a decent budget on this tank, it will probably be about a year before i have bought everything i need to start

 

[tigerdragon]

You can do a sump you would need to do a hob overflow. There are some good ones out there and there are quite a few people running them without any issues

 

[13schmn]

What is the benefit of a sump? More fish and less fluctuations of nitrates and stuff right?

 

[smh254]

That's what I use on my 40 breeder

 

[tigerdragon]

More water volume more stability. In other words changes are not so drastic with larger volumes of water as compared to small volumes also a sump allows you to have someplace to put mechanical and chemical filtration without it hanging on your display tank for all to see.

 

[13schmn]

Essentially all i would need in my sump is a protein skimmer and a heater right?

 

[tigerdragon]

Depending on other things may want to run a carbon reactor and a gfo reactor some even do bio pelletts but in essence yes a skimmer and heater and of course a properly sized return pump may even want a sep chamber for macro algae like chaeto to help with nitrate and posphate reduction

 

[SPSREEFS]

Keep it simple at first. It will make things much easier. Yes, you can have a sump and place your heater and other things inside to keep the tank looking cleaner. However, I service tanks with both. And both run fine.
There is always risk to hang on overflows. If you want a sump, you may be able to drill a hole in the back or bottom of the tank with a glass hole saw. Then you can put a stand pipe in. This relies on gravity vs. siphon. Gravity is much more reliable for sure.......

 

[13schmn]

I'm just confused because people say you don't need a sump for a 55 but other people say you do, is it just dependent on how many fish you have?

 

[SPSREEFS]

We just explained it all to you. And your still confused???? How??? Why????.....lol

 

[13schmn]

Alright enough with the sumps then lol what is your recommendation on power heads?

 

[touchingstoves]

Sorry my phone started to write some something. Opps

 

[SPSREEFS]

13schmn,
There are good pumps and ...........................not so good ones. Vortech and Tunze are best in my opinion. The new AquaMedic wave pumps are nice for a budget minded person. Many guys have good luck with the Jaboe pumps too. Jaboe is another budget China pump.
I have by far and away the best luck with Vortech and Tunze. I run a Vortech MP20(7 years) and a Tunze wave box. Love them both!