Beth Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 (edited) I currently have a 40 breeder softy and LPS reef. The size is perfect for me. I prefer a KISS style system. But In all my years in the hobby, I’ve been fearful of sumps and have always used hang-on equipment. I am considering upgrading systems. Either an all in one or possibly a super easy to put together sump system that is pretty much guaranteed not to flood - is there such a thing? i need to stay with a 36” tank. My goal is to have low iron / star fire glass, surface skimming, an auto top off and EASE of maintenance. What is easier?? AIO or sump?? I've looked heavily at Waterbox. Just started looking at Red Sea. Are there any other systems I should be looking at? Thanks! Edited July 13, 2020 by Beth Typos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Z Reef Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Sump is a million times easier. More space for higher quality equipment. AIO and hang on stuff is limited by space constraints and usually performs sub par (especially skimmers IMO). All you need is a properly sized sump and you won’t have any flooding issues. As long as you have your returns setup to break siphon before the sump fills it’s pretty fool proof. Waterbox and Red Sea are going to be nice tanks. There is also Reef Octopus and CADlights but they aren’t as widely used (would probably go with RS or WB). 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce00 Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 I have the Redsea E-260 with sump it’s 36”. I’ve had it over 2 years now and I love it. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another or a similar Redsea tank. Dustin 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoralReefTankers Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 I had never owned a sump system until about 8 months ago, always had all-in-one systems. From my personal experience I feel that the sump system has been much simpler and more consistent. Like Blue Z said you have a much better selection for equipment that typically have much more high quality and efficiency. Also I went to a 36" tank foot print, Red Sea reefer 250. Love the tank! Also you can typically find them used in great shape from people who decided to go bigger. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyInside Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Have a reefer 300xl, 36" tank with an easy sump. Great tank and easy to take care of, I only run some filter floss, a refugium and turn my skimmer on for a couple days every other week. Easiest tank I've ever had and looks amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorW Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Go with a sump and you will never go back! I started very young with freshwater tanks so was used to having hang on filters, heaters in the tank etc. My first saltwater tank was an old 37 gallon freshwater tank I decided to turn into saltwater, I too was scared of a sump, mostly because I had never had one and hadn't researched them. I'd recommend either going to someone's house that has one setup and have them show you how everything works, seeing it in person is easier to understand than reading about it IMO, or watching videos could help you understand as well. Now looking back it would have been amazing to have sumps in my freshwater tanks, I will never have another tank without a sump. Like someone else mentioned drill holes in your return to break the siphon in case of a power outage and it will stop water continuing to flow in the tank, also not filling the sump all the way and leaving enough space in the sump for the backflow from the overflow with a power outage, you do those things and you're good, putting a lid on your overflow can help too so no fish end up going for ride and potentially clogging the pipes. Doing a visual inspection once a week or so just to make sure everything is in working order is good practice, but don't be scared of a sump! Once you actually have one you will be thrilled with how much cleaner everything looks without hob filters, heaters hanging in the tank, and any HOB skimmer I used to use now seems pretty useless over a good in sump Skimmer Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBret Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 (edited) On 7/12/2020 at 9:14 PM, Beth said: I currently have a 40 breeder softy and LPS reef. The size is perfect for me. I prefer a KISS style system. But In all my years in the hobby, I’ve been fearful of sumps and have always used hang-on equipment. I am considering upgrading systems. Either an all in one or possibly a super easy to put together sump system that is pretty much guaranteed not to flood - is there such a thing? i need to stay with a 36” tank. My goal is to have low iron / star fire glass, surface skimming, an auto top off and EASE of maintenance. What is easier?? AIO or sump?? I've looked heavily at Waterbox. Just started looking at Red Sea. Are there any other systems I should be looking at? Thanks! " Are there any other systems i should be looking at? " Check out Neptunian Cube M90. It's a 35.5inch system. Neptuniancubeusa.com I have one in shop for looksies. Cabinet will never rott ( no wood ) All in One systems including sumps. Bottom cabinet is sealed, you could pour water in it and it wont make it to the wood floors ( Do not try with other tank set ups ) Edited July 19, 2020 by MrBret 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoralReefTankers Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 21 hours ago, MrBret said: " Are there any other systems i should be looking at? " Check out Neptunian Cube M90. It's a 35.5inch system. Neptuniancubeusa.com I have one in shop for looksies. Cabinet will never rott ( no wood ) All in One systems including sumps. Bottom cabinet is sealed, you could pour water in it and it wont make it to the wood floors ( Do not try with other tank set ups ) I had never heard of these tanks until seeing them at Paradise and talking with @MrBret about them. They are really nice in person! The stands are awesome too! They are definitely up toward the top of my list for my next tank! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregonic Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Just got my IM INT 112 which is 35x35x19. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webbed Feet Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Before you consider Red Sea AIO ..... I own one and posted this... you might want to consider only the Red Sea not AIO tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoralReefTankers Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 If you haven't found a tank yet, I will be selling my Red Sea Reefer 250 soon. Just picked up a bigger tank. Need to sell the livestock it came with then transfer my coral and fish over and then I will be posting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadpapa Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Is there somewhere in Vancouver/Portland that sells the neptunian locally so we could look at it in person, they look awesome but not much we could find online. Was going to get a 425xl but exploring other options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 On 8/5/2020 at 8:44 AM, Toadpapa said: Is there somewhere in Vancouver/Portland that sells the neptunian locally so we could look at it in person, they look awesome but not much we could find online. Was going to get a 425xl but exploring other options paradise coral in Hillsboro has them in stock to look at 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBret Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 On 8/5/2020 at 8:44 AM, Toadpapa said: Is there somewhere in Vancouver/Portland that sells the neptunian locally so we could look at it in person, they look awesome but not much we could find online. Was going to get a 425xl but exploring other options I would be your only Neptunian Cube Dealer. I have their tanks here to look at. Next shipment coming is getting close......come talk to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadpapa Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 30 minutes ago, MrBret said: I would be your only Neptunian Cube Dealer. I have their tanks here to look at. Next shipment coming is getting close......come talk to me Awesome will do. It’s a little jaunt from washougal but we will for sure come on out, maybe this weekend. Looking forward to visiting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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