I have a 29 gallon tank that's been up and running about 6 months with no issues. I have about 15 lbs. Live rock, 20 lbs live sand, 2 clowns, 1 royal gramma, 1 neon goby and some snails and hermits. I currently have a hob filter with chemi-pure elite as the main filter media. Everything is doing OK but I want to upgrade to an external canister. What problems, if any, should I be concerned with if I switch?
Changing Filter
- Thread starter tzudog
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Daytonareefing
Active Member
I will tell you I had a couple about six months ago I would have gave you. it would be cheaper or about the same depending on how you do it to add a sump instead and that will give you many more options like a refugium a skimmer and so on. But thats just me.
My tank isn't drilled for a sump. Do I have an option for adding one without drilling? I'm a beginner so I'm always looking to hear what more experienced people have to say I've been told that my hob filter won't do a good job. I also have a protein skimmer.
Daytonareefing
Active Member
Ok so first off I use overflows close to what you see in the video and it does still lose prime so I run one in each corner with one as a backup and the other has a eheim pump in it. I can show you pictures if it will help you the pump keeps the prime this is what i'm using tell I get my drilled tank If i had it to do again I would drill the back wall glass because I can't drill the bottom as it is tempered glass. I would not put the 1/4" holes in to prime the pipe either I ended up seal mine shut with silicone because the check valve broke and it lost prime now I use a pump to prime it. I hope I didn't confuse you but I don't want you to make the mistakes I did.
Daytonareefing
Active Member
Daytonareefing
Active Member
In your case I would use a glass tank like a 10 or 20 gallon its easier to divide then use a drop in return pump like a magdrive 4 or something like that that way you don't have to drill the sump just divide it in less you buy a premaid one. My system I have a lot of money in even though it don't look like it because I'm upgrading to a bigger tank soon.
Fin
Professional Procrastinator
Looks like you are keeping mostly fish and inverts, so in your case, there is really nothing wrong with going with a canister filter. I ran canisters on numerous FO tanks up to 200 gallons 30 years ago and they did fine. Just remember to clean them out OFTEN. Don't let them trap all sorts of waste inside, or algae could become a problem. Get one that is easy to service. Now if you are planning to keep corals in the future, you will likely want to go with a sump. I would recommend using a LifeReef Nano Prefilter (hang on back overflow box). These are not cheap, but they are very reliable. Jeff at LifeReef has been making them for over 30 years.
Daytonareefing
Active Member
Let me say fin I have been in the hobby 20 years myself and I see in your build thread your running euroreef or reef dynamics so why promote lifereef. I hate to say it but there website is way over opinionated?
Fin
Professional Procrastinator
Just making a suggestion for a HOB overflow, since the OP doesn't want to drill the tank. Everyone has their own opinions, just sharing mine.
I have personally used plenty of LifeReef products in the past and was very pleased with all of it. I am sorry that you don't care for their products. That's allowed. Have you ever owned or used any of their products? If not, it is kind of experience vs opinion. If you look, I think you may find a very long thread here on R2R of people who love their LifeReef skimmers. Plus, not many people can stay in business for over 30 years - with a long waiting list for builds - if they are peddling junk.
When I set up my 140 gallon 10 years ago, I used plenty of their products. My sump, separate refugium, skimmer and calcium reactor were all LifeReef, so I am very familiar with a variety of what Jeff makes.
At the end of the day, the OP is free to go any route he wishes. I just shared an opinion that he could explore, should he want to. Forums allow people to weigh differing opinions. You have expressed yours and I have shared mine. End of story.
Daytonareefing
Active Member
I didn't say anything bad about there product but he trashes other vendors on his website and I don't think that's professional. Many years ago I tried a lot of different skimmers before I found euroreef skimmer and they work best for me. Since they and now reef dynamics are out of business I guess I will be shopping for a new brand of skimmers in the future. I didn't say it to upset you just wondered why you were using a euroreef and suggesting lifereef thats all.
Mike in CT
Valuable Member
Jeff may be opinionated, but he backs up his opinions by backing up everything he makes pretty much forever.
