filter and tank size
- Thread starter dez82
- Start date
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definitely not an undergravel filter and go with a sump. I think people usually suggest to go as big as you can in terms of a tank because bigger tanks are more forgiving in terms of maintaining parameters
dez82
New Member
I was at the biggest aquarium supplier in Scotland today and thy mentioned about the under gravel system, ive seen it working in a few shops but I've only read about sumps on here.. to be fair tho they did say bigger was better for the tank too
HiddenUser
Valuable Member
Bigger is better as it's more forgiving. Water parameters will flucutate much faster and more frequenty as you go down in tank size / water volume.
Definitely go with a sump for filtration!
Definitely go with a sump for filtration!
an undergravel can be done but there are many better options available.
+1
The hobby has advanced a whole bunch since using undergravel filters were the norm.
dez82
New Member
Yeah I found it a bit strange the pet shop recommended the undergravel filter.. I'm still not even sure what size of tank I'm gona get, I'm looking for a new house so that's gona determine that.. what size and set up do you use?
Bad Company
Well-Known Member
live rock plus algae scrubber plus skimmer for filtration. You will not have to do anything else for nitrates and phosphates. But if you are asking about under gravel filters, you need to read a modern book about saltwater reef tanks. Good luck!
29 gallon, deep sand bed, live rock, hang on back filter for media.
40 gallon, sump, live rock, lit fuge with cheato, skimmer, media reactor.... This is a new setup
Mike J.
2500 Club Member
The size of the tank you get depends a lot on the type of expendable income you have. Bigger tanks go up exponentially in total cost of a system as well as the amount of money it takes to keep it maintained. Water changes, stocking the tank, and the equipment required increase drastically with the size of a tank.
Personally I would recommend a 75 gal or equivalent for a good starting point. I'm not a fan of narrow tanks.
Welcome to Reef2Reef.
Personally I would recommend a 75 gal or equivalent for a good starting point. I'm not a fan of narrow tanks.
Welcome to Reef2Reef.
dez82
New Member
Thanks, I know I may sound stupid but I defo know I've got lots to learn but I'm in no hurry to throw a thousand pounds down the drain, hopefully I'll be posting pics on here one day of my progress 
dez82
New Member
I've read that narrow tanks are no good for marine.. I've already got a 3 foot and a 5 foot tanks that I had tropical fish in but they are only a foot wide so I'm hoping to try get around a 4 or 5 foot long tank with a 2 foot width
I've read that narrow tanks are
dez82
New Member
29 gallon, deep sand bed, live rock, hang on back filter for media.
40 gallon, sump, live rock, lit fuge with cheato, skimmer, media reactor.... This is a new setup
That looks stunning!!!! That's what I'm talking about
Mike J.
2500 Club Member
The best advice I could give you is to plan on what kind of animals you want to keep and then work backwards from there. I.E. - I want a Powder Blue Tang. Now, you know what minimum size tank you need. You can figure out what other animals would be compatible with it, so on. Or I want to keep SPS corals. Now you know that you'll need good lighting and flow, so on.
Also, the best advice I could give you is to come up with your plan and then post it on here before you buy anything. Don't trust what a salesperson at an LFS tells you. Let the very knowledgeable people on here give you unbiased opinions on whether it's a good idea or not. This will save you a lot of money, time, and frustration. There are also others on here from Scotland that can stear you in the right direction.
Also, the best advice I could give you is to come up with your plan and then post it on here before you buy anything. Don't trust what a salesperson at an LFS tells you. Let the very knowledgeable people on here give you unbiased opinions on whether it's a good idea or not. This will save you a lot of money, time, and frustration. There are also others on here from Scotland that can stear you in the right direction.
Excellent advice here. designing a system around the livestock you are wanting to keep will change the size and type of setup.
resortez
Active Member
sump refugium, as much organic filtration as possible. find your local LFS with a tank that just blows you away. ask the staff questions & pick at their brain. they should be glad to help out, plus they will be seeing you more frequently, that they should not mind. they will realize that you are a future customer & that's good for business. your LFS staff has already done the homework for you & they will save you from headaches. also, read & read a lot, then read some more & when your done, read some more. good luck & happy reefing.
