Help Picking Nano Reef Filter

[nightmarepl]

hey guys, so ive been in the market for a good quality nano reef hang on filter everyone wants refugiums / sumps but i just dont have the space for it.
currently i have a 10gallon tank going to be upgrading to a 20-30 if i find a good deal.
and want to get a good hang on the back filter i also do not have a skimmer.

i was told to look into 3 different filters ( going to be using this on the 20-30 )

tidal 55 was my first choice
https://www.seachem.com/tidal-filters.php

Aquaclear
https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Clear-Power-Filter-AquaClear/dp/B000260FUM

corallife marine filter / skimmer combo
https://www.marinedepot.com/Coralif..._30_Gallons-Coralife-ES00027-FIFRHBTU-vi.html

i was thinking the tidal 55 or the coral life one has a protein skimmer the other surface skimmer
not 100% sure which one would be the best need some help.

( having trouble with stabling my PH people told me to get a refugium but i dont have the space or the money for one or even an idea on how to make one )

 

[Pntbll687]

Ok,

I have a seachem tidal 55, never used it, but it is a good design. The only downside is the pump is in the water, and looks out of place. The basket is very large and can accommodate pretty much any media you want to run.

I used to run an aquaclear on my 20 long, it was ok. The basket is terrible design for cleaning and drips everywhere. Pretty limited on media options.

Coralife skimmer/combo is a decent filter. It should be the cheapest option of the three. You may not need a skimmer on a nano, but it does work as designed. I believe the flow rate is pretty low, so you may need additional flow in the tank. The big selling point in the skimmer if that the water level in the tank doesn't matter for the skimmer. And if it does overflow, the cap is slanted toward the filter and there is a drain that allows the water to go into the filter instead of on the floor.

For reference, I sell both the seachem and coralife for my job. The seachem sells better. It also has a three year warranty from seachem, and an additional 2 year warranty from sicce if you fill out the warranty card.

Personally, if you have the money, get the coralife and seachem. Start with the seachem and add the coralife for the skimmer if needed.

 

[nightmarepl]

Ok,

I have a seachem tidal 55, never used it, but it is a good design. The only downside is the pump is in the water, and looks out of place. The basket is very large and can accommodate pretty much any media you want to run.

I used to run an aquaclear on my 20 long, it was ok. The basket is terrible design for cleaning and drips everywhere. Pretty limited on media options.

Coralife skimmer/combo is a decent filter. It should be the cheapest option of the three. You may not need a skimmer on a nano, but it does work as designed. I believe the flow rate is pretty low, so you may need additional flow in the tank. The big selling point in the skimmer if that the water level in the tank doesn't matter for the skimmer. And if it does overflow, the cap is slanted toward the filter and there is a drain that allows the water to go into the filter instead of on the floor.

For reference, I sell both the seachem and coralife for my job. The seachem sells better. It also has a three year warranty from seachem, and an additional 2 year warranty from sicce if you fill out the warranty card.

Personally, if you have the money, get the coralife and seachem. Start with the seachem and add the coralife for the skimmer if needed.

yah hard to decide i was told the searchem is pretty dang good but might be alittle too strong for my tank that the flow is insane on a 10g
do you think i really need a skimmer? 10-30? i also do weekly water changes

 

[nightmarepl]

Ok,

I have a seachem tidal 55, never used it, but it is a good design. The only downside is the pump is in the water, and looks out of place. The basket is very large and can accommodate pretty much any media you want to run.

I used to run an aquaclear on my 20 long, it was ok. The basket is terrible design for cleaning and drips everywhere. Pretty limited on media options.

Coralife skimmer/combo is a decent filter. It should be the cheapest option of the three. You may not need a skimmer on a nano, but it does work as designed. I believe the flow rate is pretty low, so you may need additional flow in the tank. The big selling point in the skimmer if that the water level in the tank doesn't matter for the skimmer. And if it does overflow, the cap is slanted toward the filter and there is a drain that allows the water to go into the filter instead of on the floor.

For reference, I sell both the seachem and coralife for my job. The seachem sells better. It also has a three year warranty from seachem, and an additional 2 year warranty from sicce if you fill out the warranty card.

Personally, if you have the money, get the coralife and seachem. Start with the seachem and add the coralife for the skimmer if needed.

also what would be a good media to fill in one of these filters lets say i get the tidal 55 what should i add to it to make it run my tank good and help with my perimeters

 

[Pntbll687]

yah hard to decide i was told the searchem is pretty dang good but might be alittle too strong for my tank that the flow is insane on a 10g
do you think i really need a skimmer? 10-30? i also do weekly water changes

You can adjust the flow on the seachem, so it could work on a 10g.

You don't need a skimmer to be successful. You just have to be diligent with water changes.

 

[Pntbll687]

also what would be a good media to fill in one of these filters lets say i get the tidal 55 what should i add to it to make it run my tank good and help with my perimeters

I would go with coarse foam on the bottom. And then some biological filtration, I think marine pure balls may fit in the basket. You could always get a matinee pure plate, and cut it into pieces to fit.

It's hard to say exactly what you need because I don't know what the details are. I tend to lean on the side of more biological filtration to have a complete nitrogen cycle.

I currently have a 20 long with a 17g sump, and have close to 50lbs of rock in total, and may add a matine pure plate or balls to the system. I'll post some pics later of the seachem on a tank and pics of the basket when I get home from work for you.

 

[nightmarepl]

I would go with coarse foam on the bottom. And then some biological filtration, I think marine pure balls may fit in the basket. You could always get a matinee pure plate, and cut it into pieces to fit.

It's hard to say exactly what you need because I don't know what the details are. I tend to lean on the side of more biological filtration to have a complete nitrogen cycle.

I currently have a 20 long with a 17g sump, and have close to 50lbs of rock in total, and may add a matine pure plate or balls to the system. I'll post some pics later of the seachem on a tank and pics of the basket when I get home from work for you.

sweet man thanks a bunch ima order the searchem this week tired of my biowheel crap, than in a few weeks ill get a nano protein skimmer that should help

 

[Pntbll687]

Here's some pics of the tidal on a 10g tank. The blue ran thing on the side of the filter is a heater holder, and the inlet tube is adjustable ( I have it all the way down, comes up about 3-4in if you want).

And here is the basket. There is a sliding tab in the second pic, that is used to hold the basket in place, so the basket doesn't move and water flow around it (like the aquaclear does). Flow dial in the top. Basket comes with coarse foam and a bag of zeolite. I would probably double the foam, and pack it with mayrix and then some purigen on top.

And those slots on the bottom you ask??? We'll that is too do this

There are two posts on the lid the basket fits on. This way you take the basket out, and put it on the lid so you're not dripping all over the floor when you take it to the sink and clean it out.

Hope this helps. If you need any more info, just ask. If you hold off your purchase I can probably get my hands on the coralife one at the end of the month.

 

[nightmarepl]

Here's some pics of the tidal on a 10g tank. The blue ran thing on the side of the filter is a heater holder, and the inlet tube is adjustable ( I have it all the way down, comes up about 3-4in if you want).

And here is the basket. There is a sliding tab in the second pic, that is used to hold the basket in place, so the basket doesn't move and water flow around it (like the aquaclear does). Flow dial in the top. Basket comes with coarse foam and a bag of zeolite. I would probably double the foam, and pack it with mayrix and then some purigen on top.

And those slots on the bottom you ask??? We'll that is too do this

There are two posts on the lid the basket fits on. This way you take the basket out, and put it on the lid so you're not dripping all over the floor when you take it to the sink and clean it out.

Hope this helps. If you need any more info, just ask. If you hold off your purchase I can probably get my hands on the coralife one at the end of the month.

nah i already ordered it coming in on friday pretty excited to set it up, im going to order more foam / mayrix and a bag of purigen hopefully this helps me keep my tank clean, thanks for the pictures and the time you took to do this, also can take intake be brought up more? cause that would be literally right on my sand bed

 

[Pntbll687]

nah i already ordered it coming in on friday pretty excited to set it up, im going to order more foam / mayrix and a bag of purigen hopefully this helps me keep my tank clean, thanks for the pictures and the time you took to do this, also can take intake be brought up more? cause that would be literally right on my sand bed

Yes the tube can be moved up. It folds up about 3-4in.

If the tank isn't set up yet, definitely think about painting the back and bottom black and going bare bottom. It will give more room for aquascaping and reduce waste build up

 

[nightmarepl]

Yes the tube can be moved up. It folds up about 3-4in.

If the tank isn't set up yet, definitely think about painting the back and bottom black and going bare bottom. It will give more room for aquascaping and reduce waste build up

is this the stuff i should get?
https://www.chewy.com/seachem-matri...J4a5Ek7V3x6D_VFSv-CTbzpAxlXrpzS8aAgZgEALw_wcB
if so take the bag it comes with out put another layer of foam and add this matrix stuff than a bag of purigen on top of that matrix?

 

[Pntbll687]

is this the stuff i should get?
https://www.chewy.com/seachem-matri...J4a5Ek7V3x6D_VFSv-CTbzpAxlXrpzS8aAgZgEALw_wcB
if so take the bag it comes with out put another layer of foam and add this matrix stuff than a bag of purigen on top of that matrix?

That's the stuff.

And yes that's what I would do with the media.

Probably just start with the foam and matrix. Add the purigen if needed later on.

Once the tank cycles, just rinse the foam and matrix in used tank water to get any organic stuff off it. The foam should last a while before replacing, and matrix just needs to be rinsed in tank water, not replaced.