Newbie

[Melissacoop]

Hi I am just getting started with a 36 gallon tank. Plan on saltwater for fish and reef. I am looking at the Fluval 307 for ease as a beginner. I’m thinking filters need to be cleaned more often?? I see some people don’t like canister tanks but others do. I really don’t like all that stuff hanging off the back so wanted to go with a canister. Should I also use a protein skimmer??

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[AlgaeDepot]

Honestly, I would advise against a canister filter UNLESS you won't have live rock of substrate. With a few rocks and a good cycle, you will start to get some natural bio filtration. Regardless of what you choose, always run a protein skimmer....IMO Good luck with the new setup and happy reefing!

Anthony

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi I am just getting started with a 36 gallon tank. Plan on saltwater for fish and reef. I am looking at the Fluval 307 for ease as a beginner. I’m thinking filters need to be cleaned more often?? I see some people don’t like canister tanks but others do. I really don’t like all that stuff hanging off the back so wanted to go with a canister. Should I also use a protein skimmer??

Cleaning more often helps. The issue with canister only is its a mechanical filter and you want to have mechanical , biological and chemical to manage proper water quality. The canister will polish water and trap particles via the cartridge.
Chemical is what traps and breaks down chemical compounds such as feces and uneaten food often accomplished carbon and GFO
Biological is what utilizes the natural process of biological filtration such as use of ceramic nuggets, bio blocks, and microscopic bacteria surfaces. Best it to add or use a hang on refugium such as Reef octopus or AquaMaxx unit and even add a hang on skimmer such as ice cap K1- or K2 100

 

[00W]

Good morning and welcome to R2R!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Welcome To The Reef!

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Welcome to R2R

You should go for the fx4 canister if possible, but the 307 will work. I used a 307 on my 75 gallon before upgrading to an FX4, now I have it on my 20 gallon observation tank.
If you're planning on having fish, yes a skimmer should be used. I use an Aquamaxx 1.5 HOB it's amazing.

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board!

 

[Stephen8169301]

 

[TripFamAZ]

Welcome!
I run a Fluval 107 on my 29 gallon from our old freshwater tank in addition to a protein skimmer and some other things. Eventually I’ll try to upgrade the whole thing to a bigger tank and just do a sump or HOB. I think as long as you are on top of it you can def make it work if that’s what you already have on hand like us. Make sure to start a build thread and good luck!

 

[Melissacoop]

Honestly, I would advise against a canister filter UNLESS you won't have live rock of substrate. With a few rocks and a good cycle, you will start to get some natural bio filtration. Regardless of what you choose, always run a protein skimmer....IMO Good luck with the new setup and happy reefing!

Anthony

Thank you! What kind of filter do you recommend??

 

[Melissacoop]

Cleaning more often helps. The issue with canister only is its a mechanical filter and you want to have mechanical , biological and chemical to manage proper water quality. The canister will polish water and trap particles via the cartridge.
Chemical is what traps and breaks down chemical compounds such as feces and uneaten food often accomplished carbon and GFO
Biological is what utilizes the natural process of biological filtration such as use of ceramic nuggets, bio blocks, and microscopic bacteria surfaces. Best it to add or use a hang on refugium such as Reef octopus or AquaMaxx unit and even add a hang on skimmer such as ice cap K1- or K2 100

Thank you!!

 

[Rennurdoar]

Welcome to the party, it's a great place to be! There's a ton of great people and information here! Be sure to start a build thread!

 

[Rmckoy]

Hi and welcome to r2r
Having ran both canister and sump in my experience a sump or is by far the easiest to maintain .

Not only are they easier to maintain but they can come in handy for hiding all the equipment

Are you still in the planning stages or do you have it running ?

 

[Rmckoy]

with that said . Anything is possible
The real question is what do you like and want ?

 

[Melissacoop]

Hi and welcome to r2r
Having ran both canister and sump in my experience a sump or is by far the easiest to maintain .

Not only are they easier to maintain but they can come in handy for hiding all the equipment

Are you still in the planning stages or do you have it running ?

Hi there!!
We’re still in the planning stages. We had everything for a saltwater tank years ago. We’ve just never had live rock or corals before so we wanted to go reef this time. my husband has had done saltwater tanks, his whole life so he’s very familiar with the sump filter system. I wanted to go canister to not have all that stuff hanging off and kind of like the idea of an all in one since I wanted to learn from the ground floor this time.
What is your suggestion for a good filtration system??

 

[RedReefer]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Knr499]

Welcome to R2R ! IMO a canister is okay but you need to clean it a lot, so plumb it where it is easy to work on. i went from canister to sump and will never go back, lol. there are so many things you can hide in a sump, IE heater, dosers, skimmer, etc. Whatever way you decide to go, you can get a ton of help here, there’s some pretty smart folks here, lol. Good luck