Filtration for a Eel & Puffer tank

[AquaAngel]

I'd like to use a tank I have lying around for a Snowflake Eel and some kind of small Toby puffer.

It currently has a hang-on-the-back filter, but it might be hard to make that contain an eel properly.

What do you recommend for filtration that is good for the messy eaters as well as can be made tight around the lid?

I don't think I have room for any sort of sump under the tank, due to the type of stand I have. I am also fairly hesitant to drill a tank myself.

This would be my second tank as I already have a mixed reef 90 gallon, but my first try at an aggressive tank.

Thanks so much!

 

[mcarroll]

A canister or in-tank filter might be easier to seal around. Gotta be something easy to maintain as well though...

The Tunze Comline filter might be a pretty good fit since it's square - also easier to seal around, but should be much easier to maintain. An added benefit is that it can also house (protect) your heater and the ATO sensor.

Hope this helps!

-Matt

 

[Reefing Madness]

When I had the messy eaters, I used an Ocean Clear canister with Micron filter, using a 1500gph pump.

 

[AquaAngel]

Thanks!
I hadn't seen anything like that in tank filter before. Very cool.

I'll also look into a canister. Need to look into some tricks to make it lower maintenance or generally better for the tank.

 

[mcarroll]

Canisters are tough to make easy vs a power filter like what you have or the Tunze I linked. There are lots of options with a wide range of features in canisters. From the ultra simple classic Eheims, to the Magnum canisters, etc. The newer, the more "high tech". It's noteworthy that even the oldest, most simple canisters have not gone off the market. I like the blend of utility and simplicity of the Magnums myself. The option of running a micron filter, or just about anything else is pretty nice. I ran mine mostly with the micron filter or with just a little pillow wadding.

Still not as easy as a power filter.

-Matt

 

[AquaAngel]

Skimmer too?

Would it be better to only run a protein skimmer with plenty of live rock and powerheads?

Or run all if it, skimmer & LR & powerheads & mechanical/chemical filter?

I do not plan on having coral or inverts. Just FOWLR.

 

[mcarroll]

All depends what you really want. If you have the budget and place for a skimmer, I'd run one.

Is this a 90 gallon? With no sump a Remora or Remora Pro would be great candidates, readily available used, and usually a great value.

-Matt

 

[AquaAngel]

No, it's a 29g standard.

I know it's on the small side for a SFE, but if all goes well there wouldn't be any reasons not to be able to upgrade when he got bigger or when needed.

If a small young SFE and a Toby puffer couldn't work in a 29g at all right now, I'd need to know, but otherwise I think I understand most of what I'm getting into in that regards.

 

[AquaAngel]

Thanks for being so helpful tho! I really appreciate it!

 

[mcarroll]

IMO, I think you'd actually be happy enough with the power filter (if you could seal it off in theory) and live rock for the short amount of time before they outgrow a 29g tank. I would pick a single alternative if you simply cannot seal off the filter you have.

Whatever method you pick for the main filter, and again if you have the budget, I don't think a used Remora skimmer would be a bad way to spend your next ~$80 (more if pump is included).

Since it's only a 29, also consider the Tunze Reefpack 250 (if you decide to purchase new) which is the 3162 filter paired with a matching skimmer

-Matt