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TJ's Reef
Valuable Member
First off WELCOME to R2R. Your primary biological filtration is going to be LR (live rock) with the use of powerheads or ??? for water flow in aquarium. You can use outside/hang-on filters for mechanical filtration like Carbon and a sponge/floss but sponge/floss if used needs to be cleaned frequently (2-5 days avg.) Do you have room for or plan on using a sump on this system ? Not necessary but makes whole system that much easier to maintain as well as hide your heater, Skimmer and any mechanical filtration. just Google aquarium sumps or search here for some great ideas on their setup and use. Lots of other questions to be asked of you before to many answers can be given. Like what do you want as a SW Tank ? Corals ? What type of Fish ? etc...
Cheers, Todd
Cheers, Todd
TJ's Reef
Valuable Member
I would highly recommend the use of a sump if it fits with your setup, and since it seems to be already up and running (not a drilled Display) you will need a overflow box from CPR or similar and an over the top return from sump. It seems that a std 20L makes a great sump and will fit in most stands made for 45-55g Show Tanks. If you go this rout I also highly recommend using the Aqua-Lifter accessory for redundancy. Can you post up some pics of the tank as is ?
Cheers, Todd
Cheers, Todd
mcarroll
10K Club member
"Best and least expensive" are probably not one and the same item.
Overflow boxes are not a perfect solution...especially ones that require an auxiliary pump to survive a power outage. If you are sure you want to integrate a sump, I would try to find the Aqueon overflow. It's a traditional design, which is usually the least trouble prone if made well (which theirs should be).
I would at least consider keeping the tank an "all in one" (AIO) design though. First advantage is that risk of plumbing failure goes down to zero.
Tunze's Comline series of in-tank filter equipment and skimmers can be more unobtrusive than an overflow box and can be just as handy as a sump in many ways. Check out their two "Reef Pack" systems, just for example.
Also, there are lots of hang-on skimmers like the AquaC Remora (typically <$100, used) that go on the tank just like your Penguin filter.
Technically, live rock, water flow, and a skimmer are all you should really need. (And heaters aren't that hard to hide.
)
Hope this helps!
-Matt
Overflow boxes are not a perfect solution...especially ones that require an auxiliary pump to survive a power outage. If you are sure you want to integrate a sump, I would try to find the Aqueon overflow. It's a traditional design, which is usually the least trouble prone if made well (which theirs should be).
I would at least consider keeping the tank an "all in one" (AIO) design though. First advantage is that risk of plumbing failure goes down to zero.
Tunze's Comline series of in-tank filter equipment and skimmers can be more unobtrusive than an overflow box and can be just as handy as a sump in many ways. Check out their two "Reef Pack" systems, just for example.
Also, there are lots of hang-on skimmers like the AquaC Remora (typically <$100, used) that go on the tank just like your Penguin filter.
Technically, live rock, water flow, and a skimmer are all you should really need. (And heaters aren't that hard to hide.
)Hope this helps!
-Matt
