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FAQs on Marine Filtration 12

Related Articles: Marine FiltrationMarine Aquarium Filtration, by Adam Cesnales, Central Filtration Systems,

Related FAQs: Marine Filtration 1, Marine Filtration 2Marine Filtration 3Marine Filtration 4, Marine Filtration 5, Marine Filtration 6Marine Filtration 7, Marine Filtration 8, Marine Filtration 9, Marine Filtration 10, Marine Filtration 11, & FAQs on Marine Filtration: Designs, Installation, Maintenance, Troubleshooting/Repair, Brands/Manufacturers, DIY, & By Type of  System: FO System Filtration, FOWLR Set-Ups, Reef Tank Setups, Reef Filtration, Small Tank Setups, Large System Filtration/Circulation/Aeration, & By Aspect and Gear: Biol.: Biological Filtration, Denitrification/Denitrifiers, Fluidized Beds, DSBs, Plenums, Algal Filtration, Mech.: Marine Mechanical Filtration, Power Filters, Outside Power Filters, Canister, Cartridge Filters, Undergravel FiltersWet-Dry Filters, Phys.: Ultraviolet Sterilizers,  Ozone, To Skim or Not to SkimBest Skimmer FAQs, Chem.: Nutrient Control and ExportChemical Filtrants (e.g. Polyfilter, Chemipure, Purigen), Carbon, Mud/Algal Filtration Phony: Magnetic Field Filtration, & Troubles: Bubbles, Noise,


Filtration needs vary by livestock kept, stocking density, your desired goals...

Panulirus argus, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster. Common in the tropical West Atlantic. To two feet maximum length. Here in Jamaica.

Filtration 02/25/2008
Hello again.
<<Hello, Andrew here>>
Sorry for all the questions <<Its fine, no need to be sorry>>, but you guys are a huge help.
I am a bit confused about what I need for filtration. I have a leather coral, some mushrooms, and some polyps as well in there now with two
tank raised clowns. I currently have two AquaClear 30 powerheads located on opposite ends of my 55 gallon tank and a Proclear aquatics
protein skimmer (AquaC Remora is in the mail on its way to my house as we speak). I also have an AquaClear 110 external Hang on Tank power
filter with a sponge, carbon insert, and biomedia insert. The power filter creates sort of a waterfall effect that I cannot stand. First question, should I leave all of the media in the power filter or take out the biomedia. (I do have appx 50 lbs of live rock and am adding more
slowly)?
<<I would remove the filter completely when you reach a minimum of 55lbs of live rock in the tank>>
Also, should I consider dumping the power filter and getting a canister filter?
<<Depends on what direction you want to go with the tank. If the advice given by me here is used, then your best using the money that you would be spending on a new filter to buy more live rock>>
What I really want is a sump, but my tank is not drilled and have read too many bad things about siphon sumps. Also, should I upgrade my powerheads also? Thanks for all your help. I could not do it without you.
<<The syphon type of overflow is not that bad if a good one is purchased. On your powerheads, you ideally need about 25 x tank volume in water circulation. So, in your system, you need around (55 * 25 = 1375 GPH) 1375 gallons per hour water turnover. Your currently on 850 gph.. I would suggest you look into wither upgrading the two existing powerheads or add another to bring you up to par with flow. A good range of powerheads to look at are the Hydor Koralia range>>
Thanks again....Matthew Diethorn
<<Thanks for the questions, hope this helps. A Nixon>>


Re: Filtration 02/25/2008
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
<<Hello again Matthew>>
I was actually looking at the
Koralia's and like them pretty well. I think I will get 2 or the Koralia 2's rated at 600gph each. That will take me up to 1200gph just
from powerheads. I will aim them to blow at each other from opposite ends of the tank. Also, with the new AquaC protein skimmer and two
powerheads with more live rock, will that be enough filtration and circulation in your opinion?
<<yes, that will all certainly bring you up to par with flow>>
I hope so, because that would clear up some equipment and make things quite a bit quieter. Also, as far as placing two of the new powerheads, where should they go? I have about a 1 inch aragonite sand bed. Should I keep them near the surface or put one of them lower than the other.
<<I would place them mid tank height at opposite ends of the tank, and aim them both slightly towards the front pane of glass, this should cause a nice bit of chaotic flow and due to the wide dissipation of the Koralia, this should also provide a nice overall circulation>>
Thanks again, this is my last question, I promise. Matthew Diethorn
<<Ask as many questions as you like Matt, its fine. Hope the above helps. A Nixon>>

100 Gallon Filtration  2/10/08
I have had a 55 g marine tank for two years now and am ready for an upgrade. I will make this question simple, as I have most of the basics down.
<OK>
Would a live rock, deep aragonite sand bed, protein skimmer, and canister filter be sufficient filtration?
<Yes it would be sufficient.>
I plan on no overflow or sump. This will be fish only with the live rock. Probably clown trigger and other aggressive fish.
<100 gallons is pushing the lower limits on system size for this fish. They get very large and territorial.>
Aqua c hang on, with canister filter under tank.
<Do be sure to clean the canister frequently.>
How many pounds of rock would I need and can I get away without the sump?
<You can certainly have a tank without a sump. Keep in mind you will need to stock this tank, and any other, at a reasonable (not overcrowded) bioload. As for live rock I would start with 65-75 lbs or so and see how you like the look. You can always add more.>
Thanks, your site is great for info.
<Welcome, please read through the links and related FAQ’s below for more information, Scott V.>
http://wetwebmedia.com/clntrigsys.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/lrselfaqs.htm

Filter/Setup Questions 02/05/2008
Hello Bob & Crew,
<<Hello, Andrew today>>
I sent a couple of e-mails a couple of days ago but fear they may have gotten lost in the great beyond. If this is a duplicate of a message that is already in your queue to be answered I apologize.
<<No apology needed>>
I have a filtration question about a 125 gallon aquarium I am purchasing. I am going to add 100 lbs of live sand (brand new, I am not using the crushed coral in my current 56 gal tank), my existing 20-25 lbs of live rock from my current 56gal, along with another 25 lbs (for starters) of live rock I am purchasing when I buy the tank. I also have a Coralife 125gal skimmer that works fantastically in my 56 (knock on wood).
<<Sounds good>>
My LFS suggested (strongly) going with a wet/dry filter with the standard blue bio-balls.
<<Strongly eh???>>
I am not so sure. So I wanted your opinion on if I were to run two Aquaclear 110's and my current Aquaclear 70, along with the protein skimmer, the 100lbs of LS, and 50 or so lbs (for now) of LR, would that be sufficient to have a healthy setup? I really don't want to go with the wet/dry and especially the bio balls (after reading here on WWM) unless its an outright necessity for the health of the tank. Would this setup give me adequate mechanical filtration, bio filtration, and water movement for this tank?
<<The amount of filtration mentioned should be fine, as you are already half way there with the live rock. I would stick to just the 2 Aquaclear 110's, leave off the Aquaclear 70..The 110's are rated at 110g's each, so, that's ok. Flow wise, I would not rely on these to provide the right amount of flow. I would be adding some powerheads to create the flow for you>>
Also a quick question, if I may, on cycling the new tank. My LFS also said I "Have" to add bio-Spira to the new tank when I set it up in order to have the tank cycle in a short time frame. I can't support the two tanks (from a space perspective) for more than 2 weeks or so. With adding all of the LS, along with the LR and I also plan to add Hagen cycle which I already have a supply of, do I really "need" the bio-Spira to cycle in such a short time?
<<A common question really. How to get a fast cycle. Unfortunately, a cycle should not be rushed, its natures way of laying the building blocks of the aquarium. My advise if you want a "quicker" route to cycling, if it cant be left alone, is to use fully cured live rock, and use pure ammonia as the ammonia source to kick start the cycle. Hopefully, the levels of bacteria already present on the Fully cured live rock will give the cycle a quicker turn around>>
Thank you again for such a great site and such helpful information. It is very much appreciated.
Mike P.
<<Thanks for the questions, hope it helps. A Nixon>>

 


 

 

 

 

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