Filters

[absolutecrnbry]

First post to the forum, but I've been reading along for a month now and I've found everyone's questions and comments very interesting. Anyway, I'm in the planning stages of a 55 gal tank with fish / live rock and I'm stuck on my choice of filtration. I've read about W/D, Cannisters, Bio-Wheels, etc, etc, etc. Money not being an object (within reason) which system do I go with??? Also, what pumps do you recommend for power heads and how many of each do I need? The only equipment purchase I've made to date is a Prizm Hang-on Skimmer.

Thanks,
Pat

[OrionGirl]

Honestly, lots of live rock and a good sand bed is your best bet for biological filtration. Chemical filtration--the easy answer is that you don't need it. Carbon is useful following medication, but since this shouldn't be done in your main tank if at all possible, not required. If you have any basic HOB available for use if needed, this should be plenty. For mechanical filtration of solids--I prefer having a good clean up crew to deal with the solids. Otherwise, pretty much anything that has sponges or floss will work--canisters being easiest to stash under the stand, HOB being easier to maintain--will work. Keep in mind that mechanical filtration will require more work for you, instead of more work for cleaners.

For powerheads, I really like the AC402. They are reliable, easy to maintain, and reasonably priced. I would avoid the sweeper styles--they tend to become clogged with algae growth quickly, and eventually cease to sweep. I'd go with 3 powerheads, at least, maybe more.

[Bill Schultz]

OrionGirl:

I am also beginning new 55-Galloon setups (5). I have purchased 5 Emporer 400's and one Prizm protein skimmer (for the time being). I am going to begin with one tank, fish only, and will put the remainder on line so quickly as I feel confident that I can maintain a marine aquarium.

Will I need additional filtration (I plan on live rock and live sand)? You recommended to absolutecrnbry to add three power heads (here's my stupid question) to do what? What have I forgotton? I thought a power head was used to drive another piece of equipment such as a protein skimmer or a filter that didn't come with it's own water mover.

Bill Schultz

[OrionGirl]

Powerheads can be run by themselves to provide water movement. I don't use traditional power filters in SW, though they can be run without media for water movement. Filter media quickly collects solid wastes, as well as other inverts (tube worms and sponges will grow on just about everything that's wet), and this makes keeping the media clean difficult.