DownGrading from sump to canister... need advice!

[soo88]

Hey guys/girls.

I've just recently gotten back into the fish tank hobby. After a disastrous move I decided to leave the tanks dry and continue when I bought my own home. Well the time has come.

My current setup: (pretty old school)
90G
30G sump (quite one pump)
protein skimmer is "Big Al's" branded (used to work for them)
Rio 2500
overhang box with 2 U-tubes
A great assortment of powerheads.

I'm looking to start a Fish Only tank, with standard fish (tangs, pygmy angels, anthias etc) just to get my feet wet and get back into the game. The tank will now be in my living room and do not want to run my old setup as it's very loud. The overhang is loud and have tried everything to quite it down but with no luck.. the double U-Tubes are just too loud. It'll be more of a decorative piece.

My question is how to take a step back and go with a simpler setup.
My projected setup:
90G
Eheim canister filter
live rock, base rock, decorative rock
Aragonite substrate
Current protein skimmer but will convert to a hang on.

Is live rock necessary?
Should I go with a standard Canister or a Wet/Dry? what models?
My protein skimmer leaks but wasn't a concern since it was sitting in the sump, what would be recommended if I were to buy a new one (Berlin?)

Obviously cost is an issue so I don't want to go with the biggest of everything. Thanks for your help, looking forward to reading your answers!

-jay.

[trainedkilla]

Live rock is not neccesary but helps alot with biological filtration. The protien skimmer and the canister (with just the sponge and carbon) will works well for mechanical filtration. Do not use any other media in the canister unless you plan on not using the LR. Keep in my that canisters strip the water of oxygen as it passes through so ensure that you have plenty of surface agitation to aid in oxygen exchange.

The sponge in the canister will have to be rinse out often to keeps the nitrates down.

Godd luck

[soo88]

Thanks for the quick reply. That was one of my main concerns going the canister route, the amount of oxygen the canisters strip... which is why i've been considering a wet/dry canister (although costly).

So basically if i'm using live rock, only use carbon/sponge in the canister?

Surface agitation as in just point a few power heads towards the surface?

Thanks again

[trainedkilla]

Yep...you got it!

Good luck!

[Grins]

Did you ever try the gurglebuster for the overflow? Using that and an Eheim pump my tank is quiet and in my great room as well.

[soo88]

Did you ever try the gurglebuster for the overflow? Using that and an Eheim pump my tank is quiet and in my great room as well.


I have never even heard about the gurgle buster... THANKS man, i'm definetely gonna give it a shot!

[schigara]

Since your tank is still empty, you could have your tank drilled in the back glass and install a durso stand pipe and overflow box. I went this route with my AGA 75 and it runs silent. Be sure they don't drill the bottom as it is tempered glass.

The loudest things on my tank are the air pumps for the skimmer.

http://www.geocities.com/drcunlimited/Marine_023.jpg

[Grins]

I have never even heard about the gurgle buster... THANKS man, i'm definetely gonna give it a shot!


Here is the site given to me by another reefer here. Thing works great and an easy DIY project although you can find them for sale as well: http://home.everestkc.net/jrobertson57268/HGB/HGB_construction.html

[wferr337]

I did the homemade version of the gurgle buster for my overflow box. I put a piece of clear lucite over the box. I cut around where the overflow tube goes there is not a air tight seal it still has room to move around but it blocks most of the noise.