filter options

[taylorab85]

I am going to be setting up a 70 gal fish only tank and I am going to run a Emperor 400, a magnum 350 deluxe, and a Berlin protein skimmer.I will not be running a sump or a refuge.Can anyone tell me their opinions on this setup.

[aqua]

Hey
I would reccomend a hang on the back fuge if an under the sump one will not work. You want some powerheads in the main tank as well for circulation. Any others have thoughts? :?

[Armadillo]

Ok this is a really newb type question what is a "fuge" :oops:

[Paidbychrist0825]

refugium. its an area where little critters called "pods(amphipods and copepods, little bug lookin dudes) cand other animals can reproduce in peace, without the predation of the main tank. fuges may also be used to grow macroalgae that the main tank animals will eat.

[Armadillo]

Ok. So what would it be exactly a HOB type item or under tank? As seen from question above I have never seen one. :shock:

[Paidbychrist0825]

it can be hob, or it can be under tank, but this method isnt reccomended, as there is teh possibility of pods getting chewede up in the return pump. most people puit their fuges above the tank, and have a pump pushing water up to the fuge, then have a little gravity feed back to the main tank. take care when using this method, however, because too much waterflow(id say more then 5X fuge size) can wash the pods into the main tank very quickly, and they will not have time to breed and lay their eggs.

[Charles Poole]

There are many different styles of HOB ( hang On the Back ) refugiums. I also agree that these are the most beneficial. But any refugium is likely to be beneficial. :)

[new2salt]

Hi. Hope its ok to butt into this topic. I am VERY new to saltwater tanks (note I don't know any abbrev). I am starting a 30gal saltwater (fish only) tank. I have a Wisper filter that's made for a 40gal tank that I had used for about a month when the tank was freshwater. Can I use this and add a protein skimmer? I also found a SKILTER POWER FILTER W / PROTEIN SKIMMER. This would be helpful due to limited space and it is less expensive than the filters I've seen with the bioballs in them. Please give this newbie some advice. Thanks.

[taylorab85]

In saltwater the best way to go with a filter is to go with one that can pump at least 5 times as much water is in your tank per hour,ex:30gal tank=a filter with a 150 gph flow rate at least.In my experience with salt it is best togo with as big as you can get.I dont know to much about the "skilter" but,When dealing with equipment you get what you pay for.Although it seems like your spending less now,if you buy a peice of crap then youll end up paying out somewhere down the line.

[Paidbychrist0825]

a flow rate of 10-20 times is what is usually reccommended but mind you that this includes all your powerheads and and waterpumps too.

[Charles Poole]

I am not the biggest fan of the Skilters, but they do work. If the choice was no skimmer or a skilter, I would go with the skilter... :)