So I've been reading up on saltwater tanks for the past 6 months or so and finally decided to purchase one. I bought a used 90 gallon that came with 2 Aqueon 75s and I am thinking of going with the Fluval FX6 canister. My question is, could I run the Aqueon HOBs with the canister and if I did, is there still a need for a skimmer? I plan on having a fish only tank, at least for now, with a lion, puffer, and maybe a tang or 2.
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- Thread starter Bigradical
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beaslbob
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I think a lion, puffer and tangs are not compatible. best to check
I would add macro algae in a refugium before any mechanical filter. the refugium can be just a simple partition.
my .02
I would add macro algae in a refugium before any mechanical filter. the refugium can be just a simple partition.
my .02
Puffers are large fish. 180 gal +
Not reef safe, they eat coral and poop sand.
Tangs 120 gal +
If you are stuck with a 90 I personally think a harem of clown fish + goby + small wrasse + maybe yellow tang + inverts is best bang for buck
Not reef safe, they eat coral and poop sand.
Tangs 120 gal +
If you are stuck with a 90 I personally think a harem of clown fish + goby + small wrasse + maybe yellow tang + inverts is best bang for buck
Yeah, my lfs told me to puffer would eat any coral. I started out just wanting a lion but now I'm really wanting a stars and stripes puffer as well. I could care less about the tangs but the wife wanted something more colorful.
Im assuming you don't have a sump.
I would for with the canister OR the Hobs, not both. the canister is a better mechanical filter.
you'll need to keep it extremely clean IMO.
on a 90 gal mixed reef or even fowler, I would consider the feeding amount and bioload doing it this way.
I personally am not an advocate of using the can as biological filtration with media or LR. I prefer floss only to remove as much food and waste as possible before it rots and get broken down(as in a skimmered tank)
I would for with the canister OR the Hobs, not both. the canister is a better mechanical filter.
you'll need to keep it extremely clean IMO.
on a 90 gal mixed reef or even fowler, I would consider the feeding amount and bioload doing it this way.
I personally am not an advocate of using the can as biological filtration with media or LR. I prefer floss only to remove as much food and waste as possible before it rots and get broken down(as in a skimmered tank)
No sump. Only filters I have are the 2 HOBs. Pretty much starting from scratch on the equipment. I've read so many pages and I still get mixed reviews on the filtration though. I'm not planning on overstocking my tank though. Maybe 2-4 fish tops since this is gonna be my first go at a saltwater tank.
The key on Mech only tanks IMO is to keep them clean.
yeah, I can handle the weekly cleaning. I was just wondering if I should junk the HOBs and go with a canister and a skimmer. Or if the HOBs would work the same as a skimmer. Or if I even need a skimmer with a can. I do plan on going with live rock in the near future, little by little of course. I'm in no rush to dump fish in it, I just want to make sure I set it up right and have the right equipment.
yeah, I can handle the weekly cleaning. I was just wondering if I should junk the HOBs and go with a canister and a skimmer. Or if the HOBs would work the same as a skimmer. Or if I even need a skimmer with a can. I do plan on going with live rock in the near future, little by little of course. I'm in no rush to dump fish in it, I just want to make sure I set it up right and have the right equipment.
ummm, what were you going to use for biological filtration to cycle the tank?
I bought live sand to start and the guy said I wouldn't HAVE to have rock to start out but that it would just take longer to cycle? Do the canisters with the bio media not aid with the cycling? I'm just going off of reading and word of mouth...
Kind of. its fresh water style. Personally I wouldn't do it. thats a lot of water and big fish.
Live rock and 2 BIG Hobs that get regularly filled with muck will work. better than a can and no live rock IMO
Ha!
Id hit craigslist. or local reef clubs.
But yea some of it will
Id hit craigslist. or local reef clubs.
But yea some of it will
I think my lfs actually said something about having cycled water, which I thought was a silly until I started reading. I always thought you got the salt right and threw in your damsels for a couple weeks and then you were set.
But putting one of the big rocks I have in at startup would be ok to help? I'm planning on filling the tank up tonight and getting it circulating.
But putting one of the big rocks I have in at startup would be ok to help? I'm planning on filling the tank up tonight and getting it circulating.
yes, the damsels usually die. the water contains some of the bacteria and lot lives on surfaces. to make sure there's enough surface we generally use live rock as porous rock has more surface area(lots of holes)
Got it. Lace rock I belive
