Can I ditch the sump tank skimmer in a reef Tank

[EMX002]

Evening all ,

Just a few questions really. Ive currently got a 300Litre tank running nicely for 3 months now.

Ive got 1 yellow tang the sweet thing he is.

6 green chromis,3 fire shrimp,3 flame scallops,2 tube worms,6 peppermints.And 5 soft corals.


I wont go into detail about any of the rest except these 2 things. For filtration I have the live rock, 1 canister filter that is sealed so if a power failure happens its all contained and nothing could ever leak.



However the tank came with a over flow box that is used with the skimmer/sump tank. If power is lost water flows over the flow box until the level drops.

At the minute I know I have to add a certain amount of water so that it doesnt over flow the sump tank as its not a sealed unit.


People have said that the trickle filter type sump tanks are only for fish only systems . This is not a fish only system.



So my question is this. Can I lose the sump tank/skimmer and plug up another canister filter insetead of it. and then just buy a good skimmer because the skimmer/sump I have ...well Ive a feeling its not as good as one that I should have.








Juan

[silvers]

I would only use a canister to run carbon, if you use any kind of floss in it it will lead to nitrate problems unless you are anal about cleaning it, me personaly I would get a good skimmer and make a sump out of a 30g long if thats a 75gal. I think thats what it is ,a 30g long will fit well and hold some skimmers just make baffles low enough to where if power goes out it wont overflow the sump

[crvz]

Agreed, a canister filter doesnt do a whole lot for a reef tank. I'd keep the sump/skimmer and maybe consider upgrading the skimmer, if possible.

[Geoff]

do you have a pic of the skimmer in the sump? do you have the dimensions of the sump?

G~

[tdwyatt]

Ditto on request for pix of the skimmer and sump. They are of more use to you than the cannister filters are in reef systems, I think it would be a disservice to recommend replacing the skimmer in a reef system unless it is underpowered.

Pix please? 72 dpi and about 4x6 inches .jpg format so it takes less time to upload and download.