Another Beginner Filtering Question

Q

Questlove

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Apr 20, 2003
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Hello all,
I'm new to this forum (mainly because it's taken me forever to find a good community of fish lovers) & also to SW aquariums. I have had many fresh water aquariums in the past & have gone for the last 5 years without any aquariums & it's been killing me. So i've decided to take the jump into a SQ aquarium (more accurately, a 55-75 gallon reef tank). I am still in the way early planning stages of everything & I'm going to take it very slowly (for animal safety & financial reasons alike). I plan on slowly buying the equipment i need over the course of the next few months, to eleviate high credit card bills, blah blah....

During my past couple of weeks of research I have come across many opinons & the like from many different sources & i'm going to throw out my lure from some additional opinons from real people, instead of books that cant answer me.

The first subject I am slightly confused about is the filter system(s) that I should look into for a reef tank.

1. Since I will be using live sand & rock, should i stay away from undergravel filters entirely? If so, what are good sizes/brands?
2. For reef tanks, are wet/dry filters preferred over cannister filters? Why? (sizes/brands?)
3. I understand that a protein skimmer is a necessity, are the skimmers built into wet/dry filters a good way to conserve space?
4. Would you recommend a fluidized bed filter as well? if so, what type, brand?
5. What combinations of filters should i consider (ie, cannister, fluidized, but not undergravel.....or ....)?

I keep hearing different opinions & i'm slightly confused. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


- new guy.....
 
Almost everywhere you go on the web, people will advise against using any filter on a reef tank. 1 to 1.5 lbs of live rock and a 4" - 6 " deep sand bed is the filtration system most of us use.
The only mechanical filter used is a protein skimmer. Instead of a wet dry, we use plain sumps for extra capacity and they are a great place to hide your equipment. The problem with mechanical filters is that they do not complete the nitrogen cycle. They do a great job of converting ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate but the cycle ends there. Nitrates are hazzardous to invertabrates which live in reef tanks. Buy "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner. It is a great book which should get you started in the right direction.

Brian
 

1. Since I will be using live sand & rock, should i stay away from undergravel filters entirely? If so, what are good sizes/brands?
 Yep, UGF will not work with a sand substrate. The sand will filter down and pack in under the plating, rendering it useless.

2. For reef tanks, are wet/dry filters preferred over cannister filters? Why? (sizes/brands?)
If you want a reef, the wet/dry is a convenient way to get a sump, though not the cheapest. Canisters are great for specific applications--ie, if you need to run carbon for a while. Otherwise, IMO, they are bulky and require way too much maintenance in a SW system. If I'm going to have to fiddle and clean something, I want to get a big return for my time, and you won't see it from a canister filter in SW.

3. I understand that a protein skimmer is a necessity, are the skimmers built into wet/dry filters a good way to conserve space?
It depends on the model. Some of them are good, others are junk. IMO, skimmers give you the biggest bang for your buck, so get a good one. If it fits into a sump or W/D, then it'll be easier to maintain.

4. Would you recommend a fluidized bed filter as well? if so, what type, brand?
 Nope, I wouldn't recommend one. While it may help out, they can be aa bear to maintain. With liverock and live sand, you will have plenty of space for a huge colony of bacteria, so providing more room in something that's high maintenance just isn't efficient.
5. What combinations of filters should i consider (ie, cannister, fluidized, but not undergravel.....or ....)?

Live rock--about 1-1.5 lbs per gallon, so figure on having about 75-125 pounds. This may sound costly, but you can start off with some cheap base rock, then fill in gradually as the months go buy with some choice decorative peices, or buy it online--search around and you can find some links to reputable dealers. Add some powerheads in, or if you have an unused filter lying around, throw it on with no media, just to provide good water movement.
 
Skimmers built into a wet/dry filter are terrible! Take my word for it on this one. They are LOUD as all heck. Plus, the collection apparatus for the foam is usually made of loosely held together plastic, which rattles as the impeller pump creates vibrations during its operation, making it even louder! I have one, and I am reduced to skimming only when I will not be within earshot of the darn thing.

Now, they might just make a quiet, effective skimmer/filter, but I haven't found it yet. So until you do find one, stick with BrianH's and Oriongirl's advice.
 
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