ndz98
Valuable Member
I've got a 29 g tank and I'm looking to put some kind of 3 stage filtration on it. Wish I could put a sump in but I'm not sure if it would be worth the time and effort for that size tank. What are my other options?
Best option for filtration?
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Pfisherman
Active Member
A CPR hang on back fuge. Funny that I was just looking at a pic of my first reef, it was a 75 with no sump. I had a 5g fuge on the back and a skimmer (sea clone) that did nothing.
trio91
NJRC (New Jersey Reefers Club)
A small sump may be the best thing, IMO you'd want to stay away from canister filters as they may do more harm than good if you do not have a consistent, routine cleaning schedule for one.
You could do a small 10gal sump...nothing fancy but it'll allow you to have that 3 stage filtration as you will have the added space to do whatever you want with it...may also be a fun project for you
You could do a small 10gal sump...nothing fancy but it'll allow you to have that 3 stage filtration as you will have the added space to do whatever you want with it...may also be a fun project for you
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ndz98
Valuable Member
I would like to do a sump but the thing is I would have to drill my tank and I really can't because I have stuff in it. Also not sure how much it would cost.
trio91
NJRC (New Jersey Reefers Club)
You can get hang on the back overflow if you like? Like one of the CPR versions n an aqua lifter....thats what I have as I was afraid of drilling n cracking my tank
Worse case if you must do a canister filter, put one on and just yourself a good HOB skimmer for now...you can also get a hang on media reactor for like carbon/gfo but with all that it'll make your tank kinda clunky with all that equipment sticking inside of it
Worse case if you must do a canister filter, put one on and just yourself a good HOB skimmer for now...you can also get a hang on media reactor for like carbon/gfo but with all that it'll make your tank kinda clunky with all that equipment sticking inside of it
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ndz98
Valuable Member
The only problem I have with the HOB overflow is that it might actually over flow lol. I've heard of many people say they can overflow is situations like power outages. I've got a cpr hob skimmer already so That's good.
I ran canister filters for 35yrs on FW. Although slightly different running them on SW the concept is the same. To remove harmful waste! IMO they do a great job given the proper maintenance. They are great for running chemical filtration! Some of the units out today are amazing. Especially when compared to 10-15yrs ago-lol.
I personally would go with a canister filter less the bio-wheel. Salt creep would be an issue.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...2NxR0Uu3Kg7iSd4I2JEQ__ZsD7LaWELdFsxoCN5Hw_wcB
I personally would go with a canister filter less the bio-wheel. Salt creep would be an issue.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...2NxR0Uu3Kg7iSd4I2JEQ__ZsD7LaWELdFsxoCN5Hw_wcB
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ndz98
Valuable Member
So how often would you have to clean it out? That's what I assume you mean by maintenance.
Depends on your bio-load, amount you feed and water change schedule. However a good weekly changing and or rinsing of all media is a must. Otherwise you're looking at possible nitrate issues which can lead to algae issue.
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ndz98
Valuable Member
They're a lot more than I thought. I think if I was going to pay 200 dollars for just the canister filter then I might as well just do a sump. My lfs would be fine with keeping my livestock for however long I needed to drill my tank. Idk I'll just have to think on it some more.
Pfisherman
Active Member
I think the biowheel filter will out perform the canister filter in the long run, the ease of maintenance will keep it from becoming a nitrate factory.
Ever see a bio-wheel on a SW tank? Nothing but salt creep. Buggers to keep clean.
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ndz98
Valuable Member
Really? I know I could build a sump for under 50 for sure. Pump doesn't have to be pushing out a crazy amount of water. I mean I only have a 29 g tank. And I'm sure plastic pipes can't be that expensive.
