Best option for filtration?

ndz98 · Dec 27, 2015

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?

Pfisherman · Dec 27, 2015

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 · Dec 27, 2015

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

ndz98 · Dec 27, 2015

trio91 said:
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

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 · Dec 27, 2015

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

ndz98 · Dec 27, 2015

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.

ndz98 · Dec 27, 2015

Just curious but wouldn't something like the marineland emperor biowheel do just fine?

NanaReefer · Dec 27, 2015

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

ndz98 · Dec 27, 2015

So how often would you have to clean it out? That's what I assume you mean by maintenance.

NanaReefer said:
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 before a HOB with bio-wheel.

NanaReefer · Dec 27, 2015

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.

ndz98 · Dec 27, 2015

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 · Dec 27, 2015

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.

jetmaker · Dec 28, 2015

If you do decide to drill I would suggest the h20 overflow kit it has plywood templates with saw that's how I drilled mine and it came out fine they even have a video.

NanaReefer · Dec 28, 2015

Pfisherman said:
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.

ndz98 · Dec 28, 2015

Any idea how much you think it would cost to do a diy sump, install a overflow box, and plumb it all?

jetmaker · Dec 28, 2015

Pump and all probably about 500

ndz98 · Dec 28, 2015

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.

jetmaker · Dec 28, 2015

The overflow box will cost a little but if you can build that for 50 than should not be much at all. U will need lines to run back into tank.

jetmaker · Dec 28, 2015

The overflow box will cost a little but if you can build that for 50 than should not be much at all. U will need lines to run back into tank.

jetmaker · Dec 28, 2015

jetmaker said:
The overflow box will cost a little but if you can build that for 50 than should not be much at all. U will need lines to run back into tank.

Lol don't know how that happened