To sump or not to sump?

dannonlayne

New member
Okay. I know the answer is usually "to sump" but here's my situation.

I currently have a 7g reef tank (this one) that only has one head and a hob filter for water flow. It's been up and running for a year and has been doing well, with the exception of high phosphates, which I'm working to remove.

I've ordered a 13g glass tank to replace it and just realized that I could make space and use this old tank for a sump, but it would be a little difficult. Would it be worth using my 7g tank that's only 8" tall?

The new tank isn't reef ready, as I have only just now decided that it may be a good idea. I would either need to drill holes or use a HOB sump (which I don't know much about but am unsure of).

I have the tank on a long filing cabinet in my office so the sump would have the be in the drawer below it, though not opened often.

Pros or cons?
 
The more water the better but with that said I only run a nano koralia nano on my pico and keep everything in check with large water changes.
 
I would say no sump in this case. Unless you're going to be adding all kinds of physical/chemical filtration and need the space, I'd leave it. A 7g sump can't hold much more than a return pump anyway.
 
Thanks for your responses.

It's encouraging that my current system is sufficient BUT at the same time the additional learning that would come with adding a sump is appealing. Though I'm leaning towards taking the advice of those smarter than me.
 
i would do a remote fuge with it,.. just a return pump and some macro and some rubble and a little light bulb
might as well add the water volume if you can
 
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