Options other than 50 kilos of LR?

[IMPS]

Hello Fish Folk,

I am getting closer to receiving funding from the fiscal council (my wife) to set up a 5'*20"*20" marine aquarium and have a question in what seems like a never ending period of research. If I don't want to add the requisite amount of LR to provide all the filtration for the tank (FOWnotalotofLR), but rather for the interest factor of watching all the critters, what other filtration options are the best to go with?. I have read and been told that canister filters have no place in a marine aquarium, under gravel filters are now outdated and can be a hassle as they clog, live sand has it's draw backs like needing to be replaced periodically, Fluidised bed filters go smelly if the power goes out and also take all the oxygen, etc, etc . Are there any forms of filtration that can be recommended aside from the full quota of Live Rock?. Thanks all, the information you provide across the forums is a great help.

[Max]

You dont' have to have live rock but, it helps. There are a lot of fish that IMO just don't do very well without it. You however can have lots of fish with out any live rock at all and if you add something like coral skelton , calcium based porus rock it will become live rock over time. I'd say ,"and this is strictly IMO", the deep sand bed would be the easiest way to go. You don't so much have to replaice it as add more it disolves into the water," a good thing acts as a ph buffer." I'd stay away from substrates like crushed coral or gravel because you will have nitrite problems that wil either involve you taking apart your set up or looseing a bunch of fish. That's a real pain in the tail ,"from experience", or a bunch of heartache," dito on the experience." That's only my opinoion though and I'm sure that others tell you theirs to. Marinie tanks aren't like f.w. there are a 100 ways to make it work it all just depends on how much work you want to put into it. I'm lazy I go for the easy way. You can use canisters but, you have to stay on top of keeping them clean.
hth
chris
sorry for the long post

[Triggerman]

A good wet dry vac with a top notch skimmer works well.Nitrates tend to become a problem in the long run and limits your invert choices.Usually for fish only.

[plantman1028]

If you run a good protein skimmer with good water flow,you should be ok with a biweekly water changes.A little lr never hurts.Check out TampaBaySaltwater.com they have awsome package deals.Lots of hitchhikers.My tank never even had a ammonia spike when I put the package in my tank.

[BrianH]

There are many people who have successful FO tanks using both canister and wet/dry filters. You do need to know that the drawback of these types of filters is that they create more nitrates than using LR. If your planning on a fish only tank, higher nitrates do not really pose a problem until they get too high. The on;y way you'll be able to control nitrates is through water changes.

Brian

[Corax]

Originally posted by IMPS
Hello Fish Folk,

I am getting closer to receiving funding from the fiscal council (my wife)

I always say "My financial department is in the final stages of approving my purchase order..." =)