Trickle filters, are they the best?

Snoogans

Snoogans

AC Members
Feb 16, 2007
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Brisbane, Australia
Hi guys, am looking to start a fish with live rock tank for the first time and every fish shop gives me different advice regarding what filter to use (usually the one they stock!). I will be using my 4ft tank and currently have a hang on external power filter (aquaclear i think). My plan was to use this filter, get whatever media is best, and then the live rock.

However the fish shops seem to be hinting towards a trickle filter being the best filter (also the most expensive). So thought i would ask someone who won't be making any money from their advice.

Also when is the best time to introduce the protein skimmer? Do i need power heads?

Thanks so much guys.
 
Since posting this I have stopped being lazy and read a few of the topics on here. My impression is that my hang on filter is suitable and I should pack it with some carbon.

My thought are that I will fun my external filter, use sand as the substrate and live rock for biological filtration. I guess powerheads would be good to maintain adequate circulation.
Still now sure at what point I need to get the skimmer. Also in what order do i setup the tank. Do I need to run filter and just water for a couple of days before adding live rock and sand?
 
all i did was mix the salt and water, add the substrate and then add the rock and let it do its thing. i used an aqauaclear hob filter and a power head for water circulation. i didnt use a protein skimmer. its only a fowlr set up and some people said that i need one and some people said that i didn't so...i didnt get one and im doing good:dance2:
 
Thanks for that Sharpie. You can't win in this game, everybody tells you something else. I'm goning crazy reading all of this info and i think i'm just putting myself off starting a tank. I think you're right, i might just go for it and learn from the experience
 
So generally what your saying is that i do not need a protein skimmer? if so this is good news then i can spend more money on my lighting.
 
Nick540 said:
So generally what your saying is that i do not need a protein skimmer? if so this is good news then i can spend more money on my lighting.
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i just dont want to give you the "wrong" advice and get jumped on by other ac members, but i dont keep a skimmer in my fowlr and i know people who do the same. i know someone that has a reef with a cheap skimmer from petco that he says works fine.
 
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A protein skimmer is not necessary, yet it really should NEVER be recommended against. Along with an RO unit, a protein skimmer is one of the best things you can get for a marine tank... what it is is the most effective way to get nutrients out of the tank. Really if you want to keep nutrients at bay an water quality in check your options are: 3-4 times the money spent on salt for water changes OR spending $100-200 spent on a decent skimmer OR add less nutrients in the first place - have relatively few fish in your tank.
 
dorkfish said:
A protein skimmer is not necessary, yet it really should NEVER be recommended against. Along with an RO unit, a protein skimmer is one of the best things you can get for a marine tank... what it is is the most effective way to get nutrients out of the tank. Really if you want to keep nutrients at bay an water quality in check your options are: 3-4 times the money spent on salt for water changes OR spending $100-200 spent on a decent skimmer OR add less nutrients in the first place - have relatively few fish in your tank.
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i didnt "recommended" against anything
 
i agree with Dorkfish.since i got my refugum/skimmer ill never set up a tank with put one but they arent needed.n a heavily stocked tank like mine u need it as well as lots of filtration but with a tank with a few fish u wont generally need one. equipment depends on the exact organisms u want.
 
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