Question for New 55 Tank Setup

Good afternoon. I am going to be setting up a 55 gallon tank mainly fish, dry rock and some live rock. My LFS claims I should get a "JBJ EFU-25 Reaction 4-Stage Canister Filter & UV Sterilizer" for the filtration and for a skimmer the Prizm Simmer. Does anyone have any opinion on these items. I want to make sure I get the best bang for my buck and establish a nice setup for future growth. Thanks.

 

I would go with a sump and decent skimmer if you really want to "establish a nice setup for future growth"

 

The only issue with the sump is that I live in an area with many power outages during the summer. My lfs said that with the power outtage, the sump could cause flooding when the power stopped because of the siphon effect.

 

It sounds to me like your lfs is just trying to sell a cannister filter

 

So if I was to get a wet dry system and the power stopped, the water would not overflow or cause a serious mess around my tank? I am sorry if I sound like a noob, I just want to get the best bang for my buck with the best option. A second shop was showing me the Pro Clear Aquatic System (wet/dry system).

 

If I were you, I would make my own sump. It's really easy. All you need is some silicone, acrylic and a tank. I used a 20 gal. long for my 55. It has enough room for my skimmer, refugium and return. It will not overflow if designed properly. There are many designs for sump on this site, but the main this is that make sure to allow enough extra room for the water the siphons back. I have never had my sump flood (knocking on wood) because of the siphon. If you construct it and find there isn't enough room in the sump for the water from the DT, then all you need to do is raise the return pipe closer to the water's surface in the DT.

Also, the prism skimmer isn't that great. It's not bad, but IMO, there are much better skimmers for your purposes. Look at an Aqua C Remora for a HOB or if you decide to go with a sump, I like the Redline series from Precision Marine.

I would not use a canister filter, they are great for saltwater purposes and a sump will allow you much more room for growth and improvement in filtration for your tank. Canister filters require a lot of maintenance and can cause high nitrate levels.

 

Thanks for the info. Another LFS was showing me a ProClear Aquatic system, have you ever heard of that brand?

 

dont get a canister or prism they are pretty much garbage imo. My lfs did the same think 7 years ago to me. Get a predrilled 55gal if thats the size you want and even a basic tupperware sump is better than a canister. You can get fancy with a sump but remember outside of putting a fuge in with it a sump is only there to hold your equipment, it doesnt have to be fancy, or gorgeous, or prebuilt 'by ze germans' because 90% of the time no one will ever see it. As for accidents, you can put in alot of checks and balances with syphon break holes in the return line AND check valves so that you take the probablitity of flooding to almost zero

 

I posted on your other thread about them

I used one on my 50 gallon for about 7 months. As long as you either clean your bioballs every few months or use rubble and keep the rubble below the water line you won't run in to any problems. Is it the version w/ a drawer? If so, they make it very easy to change the media. I do this once a week. I ran a hang on skimmer on the wet/dry as well. I loved the filter, but decided to upgrade to a sump so I could customize my filtration a little more.

How much do they want to sell it to you for?

The person that made pro-clear wet/drys has been contracted by another company to build sumps for them. This means there will be no more pro-clear wet/drys being made. They will still uphold the lifetime warranty on them.

 

BTW, unless you already have the 55, I would go with the 75. It adds about 5 inches in width, which is very helpful with rockwork and adding more corals as well as just more water. I know many people that regretted getting a 55 and not the 75. Thos 5" really do help alot.