Filtration style for frag tank

ahiggins · Nov 18, 2016

hey all!
I'm getting a new 40 gallon breeder for a frag tank.
My question is...what would you do for filtration?

I have two main options, as I don't want it plumbed into another tank:
1) hob filter as I have now on my 20. I'm "comfortable" with that.
2) make my own aio sump area. I like that idea better but I'm far less confident that I can actually do it correctly.

I will only have a flasher wrasse in there so I'm not worried about nutrient export. I have some chaeto I can always throw in. But I want some type of sponge in there to catch the solids and I want a spot to keep live rock. That part makes me want to go aio. Pain in the butt if it's just at the bottom of the tank trapping detritus.

What do you think?
Do I have other options? (Other than setting up an actual sump)

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 19, 2016

imo. tunze comline reef pack. Mech + skimmer. K.I.S.S

cloak · Nov 19, 2016

I'm assuming the frags will be raised up off the bottom? (egg crate) If so, I would just get yourself 3 or 4 softball size pieces of live rock and call it a day. Having a HOB filter to run GAC/GFO and possibly a sponge of some sort would nice too though.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 19, 2016

cloak said:
I'm assuming the frags will be raised up off the bottom? (egg crate) If so, I would just get yourself 3 or 4 softball size pieces of live rock and call it a day. Having a HOB filter to run GAC/GFO and possibly some sort of mechanical filter if need be would nice too though.

yup, that why I dug the comline filter for in tank. Its cheap and you can change media, has a spot for the heater too. One of the older models has a jet that adds flow.
And yea, def live rock.

ahiggins · Nov 19, 2016

So you think a few ball sized pieces of rock would be enough? Weekly 5 gal water changes with feeding twice a week.
Would that take care of it?
If that's the case, I could set it up tonight lol
Yes egg crate by the way