starting out chemical/mechanical filtration

[DS5000]

just starting my RS 170 max 45gal lps/softy, looking for ideas on chemical/mech filtration.
I do not have the sump upgrade yet, so only have the rear sump to use - basically a media tray and basic skimmer.
cycle just finished and new fish are putting their time in QT

planning on marine balls, carbon in mesh bag, and floss. Anyone do something different? What about GFO? - is it recommended to start early to try to get ahead of algae

 

[eea60123]

I’ve never used GFO, but it could be helpful if you are worried about algae. Preventing algae is definitely easier and would allow you to enjoy your tank more without the frustration of algae.

 

[Billdogg]

GFO is a great tool if you have a phosphate problem. To determine that, you'll need to get and use a phosphate test kit of one brand or another. My go-to for testing has been the offerings from Salifert. I find them easy to use and with repeatable results.

If you determine that you do need to use GFO, a reactor is really the best way to go about it. A TLF 150 or similar would work great for a tank that size. Because you should be careful to avoid stripping the PO4 too quickly, start at 1/2 the suggested amount and go from there.

Carbon will help you tremendously. Because you are planning on both soft corals and LPS you will have a problem with alleopathy (chemical warfare) between the two types of corals. Soft corals secrete turpines that will adversely affect the LPS corals. They can easily be removed with carbon (again, best in a reactor). In addition, the carbon will help to remove other dissolved organics in the water that can make it look yellowish or cloudy.

As for the filter floss - as long as you change it every couple days it can be useful, but you may find it to be a pia to change out so frequently. A great cost savings can be had by using polyester pillow stuffing that you can get at WallyWorld for a reasonable price. I've got a bag that I bought at least 15 years ago that is still going strong, but I don't use mechanical filtration of any sort other than in my salt mixing barrel where I keep a old canister filter stuffed full to clean it up before I use it.

HTH!