Filtration and hob filter

[TheoneandonlyME]

I have a 50 gallon and was wondering what the bare minimum of filtration is. Maybe just a hob filter, two, or just a sump with a hob. I was naive with my tank and read somewhere that the bare minimum is a hob filter and believed it so i just want to check in with the pro's.

 

[HomebroodExotics]

I have pretty minimal filtration equipment in my tanks. A basket of cat litter and a box filter. You can maybe get away with less. It's all up to you.

 

[EricR]

I have no room for a sump so have just been running 2 HOB power filters on a 40 gallon and not having any filtration problems. (11 months on the 40 and same setup on 37 gallon for 6-7 months prior)

You could get away with a single, large enough, HOB (or 2 like I'm doing) but you'd be better off with a sump containing at least a skimmer or refugium.

...wait for PRO input,,, which I am not

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The absolute bare minimum are rocks and a powerhead.

 

[TheoneandonlyME]

Honestly, i just need an opinion from someone who has an established tank with a hob filter. Any special kind you guys reccomend?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have 2 tanks going with just rocks and power heads. Sometime I use a hob to run carbon or phosguard. It doesn’t really accomplish much else. What do you think a hob filter will do for you?

 

[RBZ]

I have 9 tanks that run exclusively on Aqua Clear HOBs and 2 QTs that do too.
For your 50 gallon setup, I would use 2 AC 70 or 110's and if you are going coral, and AquaMaxx HOB 1.5 Skimmer.
I have never had issues with these and you can setup the insides they way you want.

 

[EricR]

Honestly, i just need an opinion from someone who has an established tank with a hob filter. Any special kind you guys reccomend?

Not sure if you consider 1.5 years to be "established" or not, but that's where I'm at running 2 HOB filters (as stated in post# 3) -- soft corals started 8 months ago and doing well (5 different kinds of zoas and 2 ricordea florida only),,, inverts and fish only before that.

I run 2 cheapies right now but will probably replace with Seachem Tidal 75 HOBs as each fails.
*Tidal HOB has pump in tank to allegedly avoid "no syphon" on restart after power out and low water.

If that's (small pump) visually unappealing, I like the suggestion of 2 AquaClear 70 HOBs mentioned in post# 7.

EDIT -- to the question of what do I think an HOB does for me:
1. Filter pad does filter out large particulates
2. Lots of surface agitation (aeration)
3. Spot to run bag of carbon if/when desired (as mentioned)

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

This article gives a good summary of filtration types available on a salt tank. A hob filter falls in the category of "mechanical filtration"

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/dw/index.php

 

[TheoneandonlyME]

Thank you all for your help. I might not respond to everyone but i read every comment. Right now im really busy with school and all so i might set the hob's in a week or so. Kudos

 

[TheoneandonlyME]

I hope to make it a reef tank btw.