Canister, Skimmer, or Sump?

[jdsullivan]

Ok! With all the reading I have been doing on filtration, I have become uterly confused. I have a 36g bowfront that I am starting for a reef tank. I am currently looking to get sand and LR to cycle the tank for a couple of months. I plan on having a Blenny and some other bottom dwellers in this tank eventually too. So the 2 big questions:

1) Which brand and grade of sand should I consider?
2) How do I filter this tank? Skimmer only? Skimmer with canister? Or Sump with skimmer?

[quick_murdoc]

Well many people dont like to add sand at all because it can absorb nurtients with you will want to get out of the system. I like to use Bio-active in my tanks

Most people go with a sump of some sort that could be wet/dry without the bio-balls or a refug so you could always to a search and see what you find.

and Welcom to TRT!

[Loverotties]

1)Not to fine of sand. 2) Skimmer or Skimmer and sump.

[Invader]

Crushed coral has always worked great for me and it is easier to maintain. A sump with a quality protein skimmer is popular choice. Hang on skimmers tend to cost more and you get lesser quality or they take up a considerable amount of space behind your tank. A large sump lets you choose a good skimmer and you dont have to worry about skimmer overflow on the floor + you can add and maintain mechanical filtration. Cannisters are a pain to maintain and often get neglected.