thinking about sw tank

[neil_04]

hey guys i have a good deal on a 55 gallon tank from a friend but its a fresh water (not drilled) can you make a saltwater tank without haveing the sump holes like going up over the edge or should i just make another fresh water?

 

[HN1]

Yes. There are HOB overflows and returns available.

 

[melosu58]

I agree. HOB overflows work great. I used one for 7 yrs on my old 55.

 

[mtlion]

I was going to also say that you can use HOB filters, but the other two beat me to it!

 

[neil_04]

i didnt think that you could use hobs on a sw. So would the rest of the system be the same as a canister style, i mean just that filter cant make enough current i would still nedd power heads and skimmer right

 

[HN1]

i didnt think that you could use hobs on a sw. So would the rest of the system be the same as a canister style, i mean just that filter cant make enough current i would still nedd power heads and skimmer right

The HOBs that I was referring to are like these... they also have returns that hang.

Reef Aquarium Filtration: Eshopps Overflow Boxes


As far as a regular HOB filter on a SW tank, they absolutely can work. I run one on my nano with all media removed and filled with LR rubble. Think poor man's refugium.

 

[CaptainAhab]

You don't need a sump to run a saltwater tank. Is nice but not required. There are HOB filters, skimmers, canister filters, etc.

 

[asudavew]

Not hard to come up with a sump though...

Ten gallon tank.. home made overflow!

Waalaa!

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

As the Captain mentioned, sumps aren't a necessity. Nice... but not required. I run a 46g saltwater tank, with a HOB skimmer, a Marineland HOT cannister to run carbon/purigen/etc, and a little HOB Penguin biowheel in case I have to start up a quarantine tank with an instant biological filter. I just didn't want to futz with a sump and figured I'd give it a go without and see how things went.

BUT... as mentioned HOB overflows are a dime a dozen if you want to go that route.