Sump Help/Confusion

I'm starting to work on my second tank. I currently have a 29g tank with an Aquaclear 70 filter and perform regular water changes.

My new tank is going to be a 40 breeder with a 20l sump. I figured at first in my sump I would put a filter bag on the drain, a small skimmer, a BRS dual reactor with GFO and carbon, a fuge with a little live rock and cheato and a small return area withan ATO. I want a lot of pods in my tank and I plan on culturing my own Phyto to feed my tank.

My question is am I over processing my water with the skimmer, GFO and carbon. I understand the cheato lowers phosphate so is the GFO really just overkill? Also if I'm skimming my water and running the carbon is there enough there to feed the pods?

Right now I'm thinking maybe just run a filter bag a huge fuge and then the return.

I should also ask if I do run all the equipment for my sump do I or can I make water changes more infrequently?

I'm just looking for some wisdom. Thanks for your time and input

 

That will really depend on what type of corals you are keeping and what they demand. I would plan to have that much filtration because it is far easier to unplug something and only run it when you need it than to add things later.

No, pods are amazingly tough, and once in your tank will do fine no matter what your filtration is like.

You might be able to, but remember that the real purpose of water changes is not only to take out the bad but to replenish the good. No one can dose it all accurately, so more water changes means more consistency.

 

Judging from the name I take it your from/live in Alaska? Where at if I might ask. I lived in anchorage a couple years ago. This hobby didnt come to mind there, how is it with finding live stock? The only place I remember is the pet store over by the Diamond Mall.

As far as the GFO & cheato compeating you'll be able to tell the chaeto will jsut slowly diminish & disappear. At least thats how it went for me after I built a algae srubber, it out compeated the cheato. I would envision something similiar, jsut keep an eye on the chaeto in case it starts turning white or looking bad.