Filtration options

[saltysilverado]

Hey there i have a 55g Hex. Flat back tank and its running with a marineland 350 bio wheel but im looking to upgrade to a more efficient system, there are a lot of options and would love to hear what everyone has to say!

 

[Waters]

What are you trying to accomplish....bacterial, mechanical, or chemical filtration? Bacterial filtration is normally accomplished strictly by live rock (bio wheel isn't needed and can be removed). The Marineland filter that you are using can still be used for mechanical and chemical filtration, assuming you do not have a sump or any reactors. If you are looking to upgrade, have you considered a sump and skimmer?

 

[saltysilverado]

I have thought about a sump and skimmer. I'm trying to keep it under $400 for the setup

 

[Waters]

You can add a sump and skimmer for under $400 as long as you build the sump yourself. That will allow you to hide your heater and any other equipment you add down the road.....the smaller the tank, the less "stuff" you want in the DT taking up room. In addition to that, it will give you extra water That being said, you can definitely be successful with the exact setup you currently have (no sump with a HOB filter).

 

[saltysilverado]

I'm trying to really improve the water clarity and I have talked to guys at work and I get a discount on all supplies but I wanted to come on here to here other opinions. What would you recommend if I were to buy a whole setup

 

[Waters]

This is strictly my opinion, since I can only recommend what I am currently using (which has worked well for me).....I do not have experience with anything else. I have a Trigger Systems Sump (acrylic sump, well made), a Reef Octopus Skimmer, and a Mag 9.5 return pump. I am currently using two "cheap" heaters and two reactors (GFO and Carbon)....all of which is in my sump. The biological filtration will be taken care of with your live rock, the mechanical via filter sock(s), and the chemical with your reactor(s). I assume your tank isn't drilled, so you would need an overflow box as well (I used an Eshopps in the past with 0 issues). You would then be able to remove your HOB filter all together. The only thing visible in your tank would be the powerhead(s)....which, depending on what you are keeping, may not be needed either since you will have your return pump providing water movement.

 

[3dees]

my 120 gal. reef is sumpless. 150 lbs. of live rock, a hob skimmer, and two powerheads. that's my filtration. I do run a canister once in a while with only carbon, but it's not needed. if you must run a external filter, make sure it's cleaned often, or it will become a nitrate factory. a sump is the best way to go, but it's certainly not a must.

 

[saltysilverado]

What about a wet/dry system with an ATO? It's an all in one system I saw

 

[3dees]

wet dry needs to be cleaned like a canister if you put any media in it.

 

[saltysilverado]

For HOB skimmer what's recommended? I don't really have a budget

 

[robert]

I've had lots of tanks in that size range over many years. You can have success with virtually anything in the way of filteration depending on how much work you want to do, what you want to keep, how much you want to spend and what looks good to you.

I've run up to 120 g systems totally HOB with UGF run in reverse and kept a good fish and coral load.

A good HOB skimmer would be a big help - I'm sure others could recommend a unit... So would a good HOB filter with a little more punch - I liked the marineland 350 with a micron cartridge. You have to change the cartridge once a week though.

What always bugged me in my HOB systems was surface film - nothing beats an overflow for removing this - which get you into a sump style solution - which isn't a bad thing - just more complicated and more expensive, but with more options - not necessarily better.

 

[saltysilverado]

CoralVue Technology BH-1000 Octopus with External 1000 Pump is the skimmer I've chosen but what do you guys recommend for a canister filter

 

[w.gurney77]

+1 on not liking the surface film you can get with hob filters. In my opinion a diy sump with a skimmer would be good. I will look through my old equipment and see what I have. I might have an old wet dry sump and skimmer you can have.

 

[Robert Kelley]

+++ on getting a skimmer

 

[saltysilverado]

I have the skimmer coming by the end of this week (it didn't apply to my prime 2 day shipping) and also I set up a 20g long quarantine in my bedroom on my night stand so no fish until it cycles but I'll show you my current set up

 

[Robert Kelley]

I like it!!!

 

[saltysilverado]

Thank you

 

[saltysilverado]