Help with filter drama!

[Indytraveler83]

Hey all!

Just started a 54 gallon corner about a week ago, and didn't realize what a challenge it would be to attempt to filter this tank without selling several internal organs...

While I thought I had plenty of money saved up for this system, I'm finding that "budget" is a difficult word to use with most filtration options. I've gotten a load of suggestions and ideas, and here's the problems:

1) Tank is not drilled/reef ready.

1) I can't spend more on the filter than I did the entire tank/hood/rock/setup/etc. By the time I price out most refugium/sump setups (even the DIY ones) I end up with a price tag exceeding $4-500 by the time you purchase all of the pieces and the HOB overflow. That's also ignoring the dangers of the HOB overflow, which I'm well aware of.

2) Because of shape and space limitations, I only have about 11 inches of width for HOB filters/skimmers. This makes many of the larger HOB filters too big, and also makes it impossible to run a HOB filter and skimmer together.

3) The filter has to be reasonably quiet, as this tank is in a study/spare bedroom.

4) Even if I manage to find an affordable sump, the stand of the 54 doesn't allow for a full size sump, and I'm not sure how effective or efficient such a small one would be anyways.

Now I thought I had a solution by running an Aquaclear 70 on the back, and trying to use Puragin and more frequent water changes to make up for the lack of a skimmer. However, I now find out the hard way that the 54 corner has a rim on it similar to a 75 gallon, and the skinny AC70 doesn't fit on it either.

So...

Trying to find a filter appropriate for what will start out as FOWLR, and may migrate to some easier corals later. I've got 60-65 lbs of live rock, 50 lbs of live sand and two powerheads pushing around 500 gph (or so they claim). I'm also experimenting with some slower growing macro algae in the DT both for looks and to help with water quality.

Would a canister filter be a disaster in waiting? I'm seeing several nice ones that claim to be very quiet, have UV sterilizers, and I could easily go oversized with a canister filter too.

(The ultimate irony right now, is the tank is cycling very nicely and running very well with a "Top Fin 75" HOB filter on it. I'd be tempted to leave it if the stupid thing didn't sound like a blender.)

 

[EmdeReef]

I would skip the HOB filter altogether and get a HOB protein skimmer. It will help remove the more important nutrients than whatever the hob filter captures as well as provide additional oxygenation. You can run HOB filters without the OEM cartridges and put carbon and cut your own poly pads. Penguins are cheap, very quiet and reliable.

Definitely don’t get a canister filter, it’s a waste of money in marine tanks.

 

[Indytraveler83]

I would skip the HOB filter altogether and get a HOB protein skimmer. It will help remove the more important nutrients than whatever the hob filter captures as well as provide additional oxygenation. You can run HOB filters without the OEM cartridges and put carbon and cut your own poly pads. Penguins are cheap, very quiet and reliable.

Definitely don’t get a canister filter, it’s a waste of money in marine tanks.

I could definitely get a good HOB skimmer, but this then leaves me almost no room for any other type of filtration, as I won't be able to fit a HOB filter or anything of the sort next to it. Is this a good solution? I sorta feel like I need some sort of media to be running water through.

 

[EmdeReef]

Mechanical filtration in marine tanks is usually lacking even when you have a sump can be challenging. Many of us don’t use filter socks and do fine. You can also run a tank without a protein skimmer but IMO it’s more valuable than any mechanical filtration.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Good evening. Hope alls well. emdereef had good points.

If i was doing what you are doing, depending on what you are keeping and size of tank I would go with the canister. There is more maintenance on it. but they are usually quiet. The new ones are usually designed for easier maintenance.

I have used the filstar for at least 15 years. I still have one in my closet. They are awesome, never an issue. But, again it depends on what you are keeping.it will not keep up with a heavy bioload, but average number of fish and right size tank and it is more than adequate, as many of the other canisters

https://www.chewy.com/api-filstar-x...MIz-CYhdiK4gIVzf_jBx2zUgJYEAQYCCABEgJmZPD_BwE

 

[Indytraveler83]

Good evening. Hope alls well. emdereef had good points.

If i was doing what you are doing, depending on what you are keeping and size of tank I would go with the canister. There is more maintenance on it. but they are usually quiet. The new ones are usually designed for easier maintenance.

I have used the filstar for at least 15 years. I still have one in my closet. They are awesome, never an issue. But, again it depends on what you are keeping.it will not keep up with a heavy bioload, but average number of fish and right size tank and it is more than adequate, as many of the other canisters

https://www.chewy.com/api-filstar-x...MIz-CYhdiK4gIVzf_jBx2zUgJYEAQYCCABEgJmZPD_BwE

Ok, so someone who does like canisters! What type of media is most effective in the canister for the tank, and what challenges do you have with it?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Ok, so someone who does like canisters! What type of media is most effective in the canister for the tank, and what challenges do you have with it?

Now that’s a loaded question

The API I used had several different baskets. I liked a pad for mechanical filter. I would put GFO or carbon in a bag in another. You could pure bio pure media or other media in another.

Again it will be based on bioload. It will not keep up with a larger tank or heavier bioload. The important thing is look at you tank size and how many times the pump will turn over your tank and your goals.

I am risking coming out of the shadows and supporting canisters, but it depends a lot on the user as well as the method. Don’t tell on me

 

[Indytraveler83]

Pulling you out of the shadows? Lol.

I’m seeing that my real problem is that I don’t know what I need to fix yet.

From what I gather, skimmers are great at removing certain compounds and oxygenating water, but have no mechanical filtration abilities. For many, they are only worth the investment if they fix a certain problem.

Canisters are great at polishing water, but can exaggerate nitrate problems in tanks that already have them.

HOB are good combo filters that can do a little of everything, but in many applications aren’t focused or powerful enough to solve a specific issue.

The real confusion here lies in the fact that unlike freshwater, our reef tanks have such a different biological filter and bioload that no one is trying to solve the same problem.

So for now, my junky HOB is pushing a lot of water and engaging in at least some mechanical filtration. I don’t anticipate it will suffice as my bioload increases, but until I have a better grasp of what problems my bioload will cause, I won’t know how to filter it.

Sound about right?

 

[homer1475]

This is not the FW hobby, mechanical filtration is absolutely not needed.

Plenty of flow, and good quality live rock is all thats needed for filtration in a SW tank. I have a friend who has a 55G, only filtration is rock, sand, and decent amount of flow. Tank is absolutely gorgeous!

I would second a HOB skimmer, it is all the filtration you need, and as an added bonus, it aerates the water.