Sumped, ProClear 200

[BambooJohn]

After several years being tankless, I decided to pick up a 125 gallon off of craigslist. The previous owner had never successfully set it up and passed on all the gear included. I have never seen a wet/dry in my life, but after cleaning everything and downloading the info, I figured out I have a pro clear 200 minus some pieces I think I can order. I will be planting for the first time in this freshwater tank and eventually stocking mbuna with black sand as a substrate.

1. Even though I have never used a sump, I like the idea. Any comments on the pro clear 200?

2. I think I can get all missing pieces for around $60 which doesn't seem bad considering the unit price. I am missing some parts to the skimmer, I don't know if I can order these, ok to by-pass?

3. if I bypass the skimmer, what other filtration gear would I want consider for this tank size?

4. I happened to pick up a marine 100 protein skimmer barely used for cheap. It seems too short for my sump's first chamber or does this matter?

 

[slitherbomb]

If it's freshwater, a skimmer will be useless. Also, just a though, you have a beautiful big tank, why not go with saltwater?

 

[BambooJohn]

Thanks on the skimmer! As for the saltwater, the Mbuna would hate it!

 

[Rutrag]

In that case, I'd try to sell your skimmer (assuming you mean protein skimmer and not skimmer box - more commonly called an overflow to prevent confusion) and roll on. Protein skimmers don't do much at all in freshwater, I think because of FW's lower density.

As you noted, sumps are nice since you can pretty easily access them for maintenance without shutting them off as you would a canister and they are vastly superior to HOBs IMO. Lots of room for media if needed or biological filtration.