What filtration would you prefer...?

[reefman23]

I am interested in hearing what sort of filtration you all would prefer to have on your tank. My tank is 20" wide and my stand doesnt have the capabilty of hiding a sump/fuge in it, so it would all need to be HOB. I currently have a bak pak 2r as my only source of filtration.

So, if you could have any sort of HOB filtration, what would you do. Skimmer, fuge, one or both, anything. let me know. what have you had success with?

 

[sadielynn]

I like my pengin I believe it is a 250 on the back of my 7
I gives good current in the tank. Also I like it be cause I have room for a heater , filter pad and for chemi pure, in this filter , this model also allows for 2 carbon pads at once .Upon inital set up you can use the bio wheel but take it off as soon as cycled due to the nitrAtes I think that it works well at keeping the tank clear .it also seems to be a fairly low matinence filter . I would replace with the same thing over if I had to Hope this helps

 

[skipm]

I like both refugiums and skimmers. I like the refugium because it is a natural way to remove nitrates as well as a possible natural food source if it has a good pod population. The thing that attracts me to a skimmer is that it removes compounds from the water column before they have a chance to break down and add to the amount of waste that has to be processed. HTH, Skip

 

[reefman23]

Ive had my tank set up very successfully for over 2 years now, but im gonna start asking some beginner questions. #1-- I dose once a week the following: Iodine, stronium and molybdenum, coral vite, reefplus, and sometimes essential elements. along with this i use kent marine's super buffer and tropic marin's calcium. Does the skimmer remove these from the water faster than i am dosing them? I gues what I am asking, is do the downfalls outwiegh the benefits on a nano?

Sorry, it is just that i have been having some problems with my skimmer shooting a bubble mist back into my aquarium and as a result of my frustration it has been unplugged for the last 2 days. since then i have noticed large amounts of copepods all over the glass and the tank is much quieter. I have noticed, however, that the protein slick on the surface is thicker than normal. So obviously the skimmer was helping that. I have been reading alot about these HOB coverted filters to fuges, and I would like to do the HOB filter conversion with a DIY surface skimmer and LR rubble, cheato, maby some LS, chemipure and a small 24 hour light. Can this take the place of the skimmer? would this involve more maintainance?

thanks for any advice in advance.

 

[incysor]

I like the AC500, converted to a fuge. It's a large, (and relatively cheap), filter so you can pretty easily have space for a heater, filter pads, etc...

B

 

[skipm]

Between skimming and the use of activated carbon alot of the additives and trace elements are quickly removed from our aquariums. Iodine is one that is quickly removed depending upon the type of iodine in your tank (iodine, iodate, or iodide), this is also one element that should be tested for before adding because at the wrong level it is toxic. I personally would also use a 2 part calcium/alkalinity additive as opposed to using two different companies products because one can cause the other to precipitate out of suspension and with both of them coming from the same company I feel like there would be less chance of this (JMO). A decent sized (25% or greater of the system volume) refugium is a great all around filter but like I said in my earlier post I also like a skimmer to organic compounds BEFORE they get a chance to start breaking down and adding to the bioload. Skip

 

[reefman23]

skip, just curious, have you tried Purigen? i personally have not, but it claims to, "control ammonia, nitrites and nitrates by removing nitrogenous organic waste that would otherwise release these harmful compounds. Purigen’s™ impact on trace elements is minimal. It significantly raises redox. It polishes water to unparalleled clarity. Purigen™ darkens progressively as it exhausts, and is easily renewed by treating with bleach. Purigen™ is designed for both marine and freshwater use." Does this mean that, along with frequent water changes, it will work like a skimmer?

If anyone is interested, here is a link for the purigen product -----> http://www.seachem.com/products/product ... rigen.html

 

[leaffish75]

I have used purigen and it was alright. Question for you - do you test for those additives before you dose them? You could be over dosing your tank.
Also I ran my 9 gallon with just a powerhead and had great results. I had to run my 20L with 2 powerheads when my pump broke for about 2 months. I saw some nice growth in that time.

 

[reefman23]

I dont currently test for traces... however i only add less than 1/4 teaspoon, usually around 1/8 teaspoon, once a week. this is half of what most of them instruct, which is usually 1 tsp per 50 gallons. once per week. some are even 1 to 2 times a week, and i only dose them once a week. are there signs of overdosing? i know that iodine can be toxic if overdosed.

anyways, my tank is great, its just that i was searching for other methods that you all are having success with. I have heard great things about refugiums, and even heard of people who successfully use ONLY fuges. If i went this route, i would probably invest in the largest HOB filter that would fit my tank, even if i had to mod the props to slow the flow.

My main reason for this thread, other than my frustration with my skimmer, is my curiosity about the removal of traces by skimmers, specifically in our nanos. benefits vs. downfalls. Also, i like the approach that many here on this site use, and that is fuge only w/ modded surface skimmer and religious weekly H2O changes.

 

[reefman23]

I personally would also use a 2 part calcium/alkalinity additive as opposed to using two different companies products because one can cause the other to precipitate out of suspension and with both of them coming from the same company

Thanks, skip. i am considering the Kent marine Tech CB. Any success with this stuff? Or what do you recommend?

 

[skipm]

I haven't used the two part Kent product (I have used many other Kent products and have always liked them though) but I have used B-Ionic and C-Balance with success. If the Kent is whats available in your area then I wouldn't hesitate to use it, I just haven't tried it as yet myself. Skip

 

[reefman23]

I have access pretty much to anything in my area...Escpecially with my LFS being tongs, a major LFS in So Cal. I have eyed the salfert products and may look more into them. thanks skip!

 

[leaffish75]

salfert has great products. I was just asking about the traces due to the fact some will dose them when they arent needed and certain elements can be deadly if over dosed.
Any way I dont dose calcium in my 20 and I have some sps and other calcium needing corals. Chances are you wont need to dose much. A Cheaper route to doing a kalk would be pickling lime if you can get it. In my area most people will dose lime water instead of kalk.

 

[skipm]

If I ever get to so. cal. I am definately going to have to get to Tongs, you guys make that place sound great. Good luck with whichever way you decide to go. Skip

 

[drty811]

i would recemend any of the aquaclear filters, personally using the AC500(turned into a refugium). i own all the sizes of AC filters. never had any problems.

 

[reefman23]

i would recemend any of the aquaclear filters, personally using the AC500(turned into a refugium). i own all the sizes of AC filters. never had any problems.

There are a couple of things about those AC converts, though. Firstly, if i DO keep the skimmer, then I am left with only about 11" on the back in which to hang a filter. The other, especially with one that'll fit that small of an opening, is the effectiveness of them. We will see, maybe I will be up to plumb like a 10 gallon fuge to my tank some day.

Thanks for all your tips and suggestions!

 

[reefman23]

...However, what I am considering is adding a small power filter in which I will add the surface skimmer retro, have a sponge that I would clean 2 to 3 times a week, some purigen to handle the surface protiens that would be skimmed, and that is about it. As of right now I have no mechanical filtration, which I know isnt a necessity for reefs, but I think my tank could benefit from them, especially after tank cleanings and water changes.


Sorry if this thread has become a bore, but I started doubting the filtration I was using so I began wondering what you all do.

 

[skipm]

You could always add some mechanical filtration in the hang on for a day or two as needed. I also like to use Chemipure in my nanos.

 

[drty811]

the AC300 or 70 will fit and its rated at 100 GPH for tanks 40-70gal. the great thing about the AC is that you can interchange all the impellars to get different flow rates. my AC110 has the AC50 impellar in it, works awsome as a refugium. even with the fuge i still hang a media bag with whatever inside.

 

[reefman23]

the AC300 or 70 will fit and its rated at 100 GPH for tanks 40-70gal. the great thing about the AC is that you can interchange all the impellars to get different flow rates. my AC110 has the AC50 impellar in it, works awsome as a refugium. even with the fuge i still hang a media bag with whatever inside.

I think that is what ill do then...thanks alot!