SW filter question

[KingOfPain86]

I have a 210 gallon SW tank. I need to know what kind of filtration I should have. I plan on having a sump/refugum. At my LFS I was looking at their canister filters and they have some pond filters with build in UV sterilizers. Can I use those? Or should I go with something else?


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[mike007]

Depends if this going to be a reef or fish only. If it is a reef all you need is good live rock and i good protein skimmer.

 

[KingOfPain86]

So I wouldn't need a filter at all?


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[xbrentx]

Live rock is your primary source of filtration, along with the substrate if you choose to have one. Aim for a minimum of 1 pound of rock per gallon of water in the total system. More is better.

A protein skimmer will filter the water by removing the nasties like pee and poo. Aim for a skimmer a size up from your total water volume. Research the skimmers available, some are junk.

 

[KingOfPain86]

Awesome. But could I add and ehiem filter or some kind of pond filter if I wanted to? I'm asking about the pond filter because I wanna make sure they wouldn't hurt a Reef tank.


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[xbrentx]

I wouldn't, the build up inside those filters creates nitrates in the system. When I first setup my tank I ran a HOB filter just to help clean the water so it didn't look dirty from the sand etc, but took it off after a few days.

As weird as it sounds, live rock is your main source of filtration, and it takes time for it to build up, so only add fish maybe 1 a week max. You don't want to over load the system too fast.

 

[xbrentx]

Also, make sure to let the tank cycle before adding live stock.

Lookup nitrification cycle.

 

[KingOfPain86]

Will do. I have a bunch of LR in my 55gal but also have a canister filter. Wonder if I should clean the filter more often?


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[mike007]

No canister filters on reef tank.