Does a 40 gallon need a sump?

[JCarnes]

I am going to be putting together a 40 gallon breeder for my first saltwater. I am going to start out as fish only and move up to a reef tank with mostly soft corals.

I like the smaller more community fish like clowns, chromis, and cardinals.

The only thing I have decided on for sure is the tank size.

Now I am wondering if a sump is necessary or if I could get away with a good canister filter?

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[Macscale]

First off, Fish Only tanks are a bit harder to run. Without much BB in the tank, it's hard for it to digest. You need to have live rock for corals also. So in other words, you really want a FOWLR system. For a 40b IMO a sump would be better. I have one word for the canister: NITRATES! You need to clean them well weekly to keep them down. An AC130 would probably work well too. I've never had a 40b personally, but I'm planning on one, and I'm gonna do a sump.

[BigRedsReefs10]

Not necessary, but nice to have. Can easily be done either way though so it's up to how you want to set it up

[JCarnes]

My mistake I should have clarified, I plan on using live rock and live sand to start but add fish first and then add some corals. I just see so many forums talking about sumps I was just wondering if they were really worth all the work or if a good filter will do the same thing...

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[carey]

On a larger tank I would say they are more necessary, but on that size tank regular filters can be just as good.

[Narrator]

My mind has been going round and round about this same question. Good to hear someone else with the same type of questions.