First Salt Tank: Filtration options 11/15/2009
<Hi John>
I am in the conscientious planning and researching stage for my first ever marine aquarium. The current plan is for a 50-ish gallon setup--36x18x18.
<Welcome to the hobby!>
From all of my reading, it is clear that an ideal system would include a sump and a refugium, and I am sure that I will incorporate them into future, larger systems. But for this first tank, I keep having the inclination to go as simple as possible, to have it all as much as possible in one glass box.
<Fair enough.>
My plan is to establish a working sand bed and live rock filter and then "plant" mostly macroalgae and some easy corals, so that ultimately the "sessile" population will be about 75% macros and 25% corals--gorgonians, xenias, Zoanthids. A docile CUC (mainly small snails) and a few pairs of easy fish--the smallest clown and goby species--will complete the system.
<Sounds like a workable plan.>
I'm thinking ballpark of 200 watts in T5 lighting and ballpark of 1500 gph of circulation with powerheads.
<Depending on the Algaes and corals, this may be adequate. Work out what you want to put in the tank before deciding on your lighting.>
Assuming you have approved so far, it's the filtration I'm concerned about.
<OK>
I want to keep it as natural as possible, with the goal being that I match the bioload from the fishes' and inverts' feeding/wastes to the filtering capabilities of my rock and sand, plus the nitrate/ phosphate uptake abilities of my macros. Is this possible without additional filtration?
<Some sort of mechanical filtration, even a simple hang on back would be beneficial. Adding a protein skimmer should be considered an absolute necessity. Do read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/proskimrart2.htm >
<There are several smaller, hang on back skimmers that are excellent. Look to Aqua-C for some excellent skimmers. Sealife Systems and Octopus make some good HOB skimmers too.>
Or am I looking at something like one pair of the smallest fish before I've got too much waste to process?
Thanks,
<My pleasure.>
John
<MikeV>

Re: Bioactive sand turning brown, New Tank 9/3/09
Gosh - every time you turn around its a question from me!
<Hello again.>
A friend of my husbands needed some work done on his truck and could not pay for it - so the guy knew I liked and had salt water fish tanks, so he gave my hubby a 100 gal tank set up in return for the work.
<Nice>
It's in Houston and on the way here to me and I was wondering what it was - my husband said that it had a weird filtration system it comes up thru the bottom and it has balls in it - of course I can't wait to see what it is - but wanted to know if you knew what type this was so I could look it up on line. No patience at all - that's me!
<Sounds like a wet dry sump to me, this can be problematic for salt water aquariums due to nitrate build-up.>
Also - if I set this tank up - and wanted to do a live reef - what do I buy to start this and can I have fish with a reef?
<Yes you can have fish, although you need to be careful in what you pick to avoid coral eaters. As for what you need, it starts out like any other tank, live rock, filters/skimmers, water movement, lights to name a few things.>
We only have a Petco in our small town so I am limited on what I can do and if I order online I want to make sure I get the right stuff. As always thanks you guys are great and I have shared this site with many people.
<Great>
Cecilia Lester
Paris Texas
<Chris>

Conscientious Aquarist book, chem. & mech. filtration    7/2/09
Hello,
<Hi there>
I am in the process of reading The Conscientious Aquarist book, by Robert Fenner. It's really great. In his book he mentions that the newer methodology of filtration is to use Live Rock for bio filtration, however,
I could not figure if you also need mechanical filtration and chemical filtration in this setup and if yes, what should be use to do mechanical and/or chemical filtration.
<Ahh! Many choices>
Currently, I have a 55 gallon saltwater tank with Marineland PF 300 filter(bought the setup from someone else) and I am trying to figure what is the upgrade path.
Thank you.
Vlad
<Thank you for your kind words, interest, writing in... A bit more/update on these issues can be found here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/marsetupindex2.htm
Bob Fenner>

Salty Dog Question if possible
Filtration Questions, (Skimmers And Refugiums) 3/11/09
<Hello Tammy>
A quick question about refugiums, sumps and skimmers.
I have a 55 gallon aquarium with a sump. I will have fish only. Right now I have a Lionfish (4 inches) but plan on adding 1 other soon.
<<This system is too small... eventually, even for just one Volitans Lion. RMF>>
(Still trying to decide who would be a good tankmate for him.)
<Yes, we already covered that in another query you sent.>
The opinions seem to differ on whether or not I need, or would greatly benefit from, a skimmer.
<Yes, you would benefit from the use of one, is recommended.>
Also, is Aqua C or EuroReef the better skimmer?
<They are both good skimmers. Will depend on your budget here.
The Aqua C's are generally hassle free, set and forget.>
While I was reading about skimmers, there was a lot of info on refugiums but I still don't really understand exactly what they are. I don't think I have room for one but would like to know if I need one.
<Refugiums are a definite plus. They aid in removing organics and if stocked with pods, will become a breeding ground for a source of nutritional live foods. If space is limited, there are HOB refugiums available, and some that incorporate protein skimmers. Read here for a description of how they work.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=16+2148&aid=3043>
I don't want to buy something that isn't really necessary, but want the quality of life for my fish to be the best.
Thank you for your help,
<You're welcome, Tammy. James (Salty Dog)>
Tammy

220 salt water fish... filtration f'    2/4/09
Hello please respond if you have time. I have a 220 with dual over flows going down to two Tupperware sumps. One is 20 gallons just holds a Coralife 220 skimmer, the other one approx 30 gallon has large mat pre filter sitting on top of about 20 gallons of submerged bio balls and one little giant md4 return. my question is that i would like to build three towers out of 5 gallon pails with proper dip plates and keep the bio balls above the water line, can I do this all at once so i can scrub the bottom of the sumps.?
<Could... but I want to state that I'm not a fan of using plastic biomedia, nor mechanical filter pads in most saltwater systems>
The tank has been set up for a couple of years all levels normal 3 small lion fish,
<... Why are these still small?>
3 small snowflake morays,
<And these?>
one large green wolf eel, one huge soldier fish and one marine beta 6 inch and one 6 inch porcupine puffer, the tank has 100 lbs of dead live rock and one 175 metal halide.
<One? Must be kind of dark outside this cone of light>
thank you
<Welcome... Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marsetupindex2.htm
Peruse these articles and FAQs files... re other input re marine filtration
possibilities. Bob Fenner>

Filter idea's and UV questions.
Filters/Selection 2/209
Good Morning to you.
<Good afternoon Paul>
I was at my local pet shop and seen a huge corner tank that looked beautiful and had 10 fish in it and was a reef set up with about 4 inches of gravel in the tank. The only filter on the tank was a protein skimmer, single canister filter and a very large UV sterilizer. Can you tell me the benefits of the UV on a reef tank.... I was told UV's were not a great add on and the question is still out there if they benefit or hurt a system.
<They are beneficial but I would only use on a fish only system as they do kill the good with the bad i.e. pods etc. Do read here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marphysf.htm>
I have just a fish and live rock tank on 125 larger bioload.15 fish with 10 of them being the size of a clown or 6 line
wrasse, so the bio-load is not that bad with the smaller fish. I run a wet dry filter with a Aqua C protein skimmer, two media filters with carbon and phosphate remover, and two power heads with sponges on them in the tank. Want <What> would you suggest I add for filtration... should I add a lifeguard system to filter the water better and get more carbon into the system...... with so many theories out in the fish market. I really would love to hear someone list the equipment they would suggest I use on my fish/live rock tank. Would I benefit more from having a UV on my
tank or would you say that on a fish only tank I should use a refugium sump... Also, this tank is beautiful with a deep gravel bed. I was told deep gravel beds were a negative in a tank and more beneficial in a sump? Please let me know if you think I should be adding a UV to my tank?
<Reading the above link will help you decide on using an UV. As to DSB's, I'd much
rather use a refugium type sump. Read again here and related articles/FAQ's.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm
As for filtration choice on your size tank, I'd go with an Ocean Clear in-line filter.
Much more filtering area than the Lifeguard, and a model is available with a built-in UV if you desire to go
that route. Incorporating double quick disconnect valves make servicing easy. Look here.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3662&pcatid=3662>
Thank you so much for your help and suggestions. Great web site lots of information on your page....
<Thank you, and you're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Paul

Re: Filters Ideas And UV Selection 2/2/09
Filters/Selection
Hello Again James.
<Hi Paul>
I know ultimately this is my decision to make. I will research your site on the provided links. If I understand you correctly, Your suggestion to me for my fish/live rock tank would be to turn my wet dry into a small refugium tank and add an Ocean Clear pleated filter as my mechanical filter on the main system...
<Is just my suggestion. There are others on the market, choose which fits well with your operation and budget.>
Is it my understanding that the refugium will help my system out against nitrate while the skimmer would help take out the dissolved organics
<Both of these methods will help lower nitrate levels immensely.>
and the Ocean Clear would take out the un-dissolved organics.
<Along with a place to put chemical media if needed. The pleated filters can also be cleaned/reused.>
I like what you are saying here. Do you suggest carbon in the system?
<If needed, it is a double edged sword, will also filter out some trace elements.>
One last thing James or whom it might be answering this.
<Once a thread is started, the original crewmember answering it takes it to the end.>
The gravel bed in the main tank should be shallow or just enough for my wrasses to dig themselves under.
<Yes, three inches should be fine.>
Is this best to vacuum this gravel out weekly/monthly, while leaving the refugium gravel bed alone and not vacuuming that out...
<I vacuum my substrate every time a water change is performed and I do recommend it.>
help me out on the UV, your real thoughts on a UV????
<UV systems are great for commercial/LFS use where tanks share a common sump.
Any parasitical/bacterial spores are killed on contact thereby aiding in disease control/prevention in the entire system. If you are using a sterilizer, and a parasitical disease manifests itself in your tank, the UV is not going to cure the fish, will just kill unattached spores looking for a host, again lowering the chances of infecting other fish. Excellent water quality/parameters and nutrition go a long way in preventing disease. For a home aquarium, my choice would be ozone over UV as it does raise the Redox potential and aids to more efficient operation of the skimmer.
I use neither of the two, but I tend to under stock and provide good water quality and nutrition.
The last fish I lost was about three years ago...think he was older than me.>
Thank you very much!!!
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Paul

Natural filtration Vs mechanical 1/3/09
Hey Crew!
<Hello>
I am an active member on a reef forum and was asked to get some information about which overall is better, natural filtration such as Caulerpa, Chaeto, seagrass, mangroves, DSB, ATS or mechanical filtration such as skimmers or canister filters.
<A combination of both is best in my opinion.>
I have looked and looked and can not find any research data on this subject. I understand that if one was to use a skimmer rated for twice the water volume of the tank, it would be better than a handful of mangroves, however, what if there was a combination of natural filtrators that are being used, would they be better than a skimmer?
<Personally I think a skimmer is the single most important piece of equipment there is for a tank, and would not go without one. However I put very little faith in their size rating, going more with overall quality.>
For example, in my system, I have a 55g reef with 80lbs of Caribbean LR and a 1.5" sand bed. The 55 is looped into a 40g plant tank where I have 20 mangroves, a 5.5" DSB, and Caulerpa and some Halodule wrightii. Then, the 40g plant tank runs into a 20g sump where there is another 30lbs of LR rubble. I personally did not run a skimmer for 8 months and did not see any negative affects because of this, however I also do not have a heavy bioload.
<Most likely the low bioload is mostly responsible, and not to belittle your accomplishments, but 8 months is really too short of a time to determine if your methods will be successful in the long run. I don't mean to say you will not continue in your success, it’s just tough to draw conclusions at this point.>
I understand each system is different and each person finds the way that works for them.
<Very true, but I will add I think most all tanks will benefit from a skimmer.>
If one had the space, would it be better to have mechanical or a more natural means of filtration?
<Well, if a baseline of a skimmer is there, I think many tanks can benefit greatly from macroalgaes, turf scrubbers and the like, often more so than some other mechanical means such as canisters and HOB filters which can be maintenance nightmares. My only concern is with some macroalgaes which can be quite aggressive chemically and effect corals and other invertebrates, and even fish life if proper water changes are not done.>
This is assuming the mechanical filtration is rated for twice the water volume of the tank it is filtering.
<Again I don't put much stock in these ratings, but a quality skimmer is worth much more to your tank than one of poor design, to the point where perhaps the skimmer is not doing much for you at all.>
There is someone on the forum who runs an ATS and swears by it. If an ATS and DSB are utilized together can they together be as good as a skimmer rated for twice the tank volume?
<Not in my opinion, I would rather remove the organics completely from the water column than sequester it in algae.>
I am looking for data that states something like "in a 5 hour period a skimmer can collect ______ amount of _______ and in a 5 hour period a 3 lb patch of Chaeto can absorb ____ amounts of _______.
<I have never come across data such as this, very little scientific studies are done directly for the hobby, although you may have some luck locating such data as it applies to food stock aquaculture.>
Sorry if it seems I am being picky, but any and all info will be much appreciated! Thanks for your time!
-Elliott
<Sorry I don't know of any quantifiable data such as what you are looking for, and can only go by the collective experience of myself and friends in the hobby. Unfortunately there is little to no scientific research done of ornamental fish keeping, which is sad for the livestock in our care, but great for the many forums on the internet, where even the most ridiculous theories are often touted as truths. In a world where money decides what research is done, there just is not enough of it to justify good science for the hobby.>
<Chris>

Eheim & Wet-Dry Media for Marine 11/12/08
Hi Folks,
<Justin.>
I have a newly established 90 gallon aquarium with 130lb Live Rock (already cured, from an established aquarium), and 80lb of aragonite sand. My aquarium was converted from a Freshwater, as such I still have my Eheim 2317 canister filter in operation, it did a fabulous job on my Freshwater aquarium. (It was employed for over 10 years, and never had a problem.)
<Sounds like typical Eheim!>
I would like to continue using this filter, though cleaning it is difficult (due to the set up of my aquarium stand, and positioning of the canister.  I'm currently disabled, and it's difficult to disconnect everything and carry to the sink to clean.) I do understand that a lot of waste products can get caught in the canister filter eventually raising nitrates.
<It can, does.>
I was curious if using ONLY Live Rock bits (rubble?) in the canister filter will be more beneficial than using the supplied media pads and floss?
<An idea, would require less maintenance.>
And, will the maintenance schedule remain the same with Live Rubble as with the media pads? (weekly cleaning)
<It would be less, to the point of just making sure nothing is settling inside the filter.>
I also have a Tom Pro Wet/Dry filter with media baskets, medium sized protein skimmer, and automatic top-off (to top off evaporated water). This is much easier to clean than the canister filter, since I can open it while it's in operation, pull out the media baskets, rinse/replace, and drop it back in.) I was thinking of putting the carbon pads, chemi-pure, floss, etc. in here, where it can be easily cleaned weekly.
<It is an easier place to put it, one of the big advantages of a sump.>
Currently there is no lateral room for a sump setup under the stand unfortunately, and the aquarium was set up only a few inches from the back wall, too close to add anything HOB style (as mentioned, this was previously a freshwater setup, the aquarium was positioned and planned for this setup initially.)
Any advice is appreciated, thanks...
<I really see no benefit to using the canister with your LR and sump. I would just take it out altogether.>
Justin
<Welcome, Scott V.>