Filtration: How many ways do you filter your reef aquarium?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

There are many ways to achieve filtration in your saltwater reef aquarium via natural ways and mechanical ways. Some like to keep it simple while others want as much filtration as possible! So let's talk about it today!

1. Count how many ways you are filtering your reef tank (natural & mechanical) and tell us that number!

2. List all the ways you are filtering your reef aquarium and include the names of any filtration equipment that apply.


The Minimalist Reef

 

[sp1187]

1. filter pad sandwiched between egg crate in the first sump chamber
2. MarinePureBio Blocks
3. Up-flow algae scrubber

 

[Dbichler]

protein skimmer
Algae turf scrubber
Live rock and flow
Keeping it simple only softies though with high fish bioload

 

[Robinson]

Refugium with chaeto / miracle mud
Protein Skimmer
Live rock / Matrix media
Carbon and GFO
Filter pad
Water changes

 

[Hydrored]

Filter socks
Skimmer
Carbon
Marine pure
UV I guess?

 

[AZMSGT]

Hmm, lets see.
1. Biological from bacteria in rock and various biomedia in the sump.
2. Corals filter the water.
3. Mesh Socks
4. skimmer
5. Carbon 12hrs a day
6. GFO as needed. Haven’t used it in about three months.
7. sponge filter prior to return pumps
8. UV
9. Algae scrubber as needed. ( off line at the moment)

 

[Krzydmnd]

skimmer and rock. no socks or other mechanical...

 

[WVNed]

UV Aqua Ultraviolet 80 w
Ozone Enaly 500mg/hr on ORP controller ported into Lifereef skimmer
2 skimmers Lifereef and Reef Octo
mesh socks to keep stuff out of the pumps
Biopellets in a RO reactor
GFO in reactor at times
Refugium with ulva
400 pounds live rock

 

[madweazl]

Skimmer only unless a UV sterilizer is being counted.

150g display (and total capacity)
Bubble King Double Cone 200
Pentair 40w

 

[Kjames]

Rollermat
Marine Pure blocks (and yes I have Al in my ICP test results)
Chaeto refugium
Carbon
Skimmer
UV

Not much particulate gets to the return pump and I need to dial back the day length of the refugium to sequester a bit less NO3 and PO4

 

[154162]

1- Rock
2- filter floss
3- chemipure elite
4- matrix bio media

 

[muzikalmatt]

I guess it would be 5 if you include live rock/sand.

1. Biological - live rock, sand and marine pure bioballs
2. Mechanical - filter floss
3. Mechanical - skimmer
4. Chemical - chemi-pure Blue
5. Biological - chaeto refugium

 

[sfin52]

Filter pads
Carbon
Live rock/ matrix
Skimmer

 

[Bacon505]

Just only one main:
A really really big skimmer.
well, i have a conche snail i threw in the sump and bunch of snails in the main but that’s just mainly for algae if that count as filtration.

 

[Humblefish]

IMO; rock & sand are the only "necessities".

After that, add more filtration when and if there is a need for it:

1. Protein skimmer - Most tanks will need this to remove organic waste because water changes alone just aren't cutting it.
2. Carbon in a Media Reactor - Removes unpleasant smells from the water and a good insurance policy against contaminants, corals releasing toxins, etc.
3. GFO, algae scrubber, macroalgae reactor - When you just can't get NO3 + PO4 down, and need some help.
4. Biopellet Reactor - Another tool to reduce NO3 in your aquarium. It cultures anaerobic bacteria, which will convert nitrate into harmless nitrogen gas.
5. Calcium Reactor, Kalk Reactor, etc. - Most hobbyists with a SPS dominant system (especially acros) will need these. To keep up with alk and/or calcium demand. Somewhat optional for those with LPS/soft corals, if you don't mind manual dosing.
6. UV sterilizer, diatom filter - Great for killing algae spores and clearing persistent bacterial blooms. Somewhat effective for disease management purposes if quarantining isn't an option for you.

^^ I'm probably forgetting lots of other types of filtration.

 

[magicwhistle]

Filter sock
Biological
Sometimes chemi pure blue

 

[725196]

8 total.

Active filtration:
1. Algae turf scrubber
2. UV Sterilizer
3. Carbon Reactor
4. Weekly water changes
5. Protein Skimmer
6. Filter sock

Passive Filtration:
1. Live sand/rock
2. Xport No3 brick

 

[Phildago]

1. Refugium
2. Skimmer

Das it mane

 

[Vette67]

1) big skimmer
2) UV
3) Refugium / chaeto
4) biological / live rock
5) biopellets (carbon)
6) Ozone

 

[X-37B]

Skimmer
Filter sock
Live rock
Small 1 1/4 cup ROX
Reactor
3 liters eheim substrate
Pro in a mesh bag in sump.
Po4-.02
No3-2