Mechanical Filtration

[intoxop]

So i have set up my first Marine Tank. I have had freshwater for some time and have decided to try the beauty of a marine tank. I have a 35 gallon hex tank. Now being a novice that comes from the fresh water side I set up an undergravel filter. About 40 lbs of live aggrogite (sp). about 27 lbs of cured live rock, a Penguim Bio Wheel 170 mechanical filter and 130w compact florasent lighting. I have been reading and find that no one uses an undergavel filter and have abandoned it. (Will be removing as soon as time permits) The ultimate goal is a reef set up.

I have a zillion questions... but I will limit to a few at a time. I guess first off is the filtration. The Penguin filter says that it is good for up to 50 gallons so I went with the additional capacity. It has the option of adding a double set of carbon/filter cartrigde so I did. I am wondering if I have/am doing right... I am removing the undergravel. Going with the double filter cartridge. IS this right?

Next Protien skimmers... any/all info is good. Is an intank skimmer essentially a tube that has an air stone in it. These bubbles cause water to come in the bottom and leave the top(ish) The foam is the junk that it removes??? Is a good protien skimmer the only real filtration that is needed? OR is a protien skimmer an additional item that is needed?

A sump and overflow box... what the heck is that? How does the water not just overflow either the sump or the tank? What do I put in a sump. (I live in Ohio and a sump to me is something in my basement for in case water gets in the basement.

I have heard something about bio balls, "miracel mud" in a sump" and a (ok i know the spelling will be wrong) a refiquim. I have seen pictures but really do not understand what the latter thing is. It looks like a small section of some sumps that is full of algea...

Any and all input is appreciated. I know that I should really have found a local hobbist to help me but do not know any. Any of you gurus in ohio near port clinton (Center of north coast)????

If you prefer to email me it is intoxop@msn.com

Thank you in advance! I am patiently waiting (just like all marine tanks things... I am learning so please dont laug too much!)

[Reefland]

Hi intoxop,

So i have set up my first Marine Tank. I have had freshwater for some time and have decided to try the beauty of a marine tank. I have a 35 gallon hex tank. Now being a novice that comes from the fresh water side I set up an undergravel filter. About 40 lbs of live aggrogite (sp). about 27 lbs of cured live rock, a Penguim Bio Wheel 170 mechanical filter and 130w compact florasent lighting. I have been reading and find that no one uses an undergavel filter and have abandoned it. (Will be removing as soon as time permits) The ultimate goal is a reef set up.

Glad to see you removing this, it is not needed and if it is running, will cause problems.

I have a zillion questions... but I will limit to a few at a time. I guess first off is the filtration. The Penguin filter says that it is good for up to 50 gallons so I went with the additional capacity. It has the option of adding a double set of carbon/filter cartrigde so I did. I am wondering if I have/am doing right... I am removing the undergravel. Going with the double filter cartridge. IS this right?

Actually, even this is not needed. You can run a marine tank successfully with a good protein skimmer, live rock, and a good water change routine.

Next Protien skimmers... any/all info is good. Is an intank skimmer essentially a tube that has an air stone in it. These bubbles cause water to come in the bottom and leave the top(ish) The foam is the junk that it removes??? Is a good protien skimmer the only real filtration that is needed? OR is a protien skimmer an additional item that is needed?

In tank skimmers are not worth the money. Get a good protein skimmer. If your case I would recommend an AquaC Remora Pro first, second a CPR Bak-Pak. You need the skimmer, but nothing else.

A sump and overflow box... what the heck is that? How does the water not just overflow either the sump or the tank? What do I put in a sump. (I live in Ohio and a sump to me is something in my basement for in case water gets in the basement.

This should explain everything:
http://www.reefland.com/rho/2006/05/overflows_sumps.php

I have heard something about bio balls, "miracel mud" in a sump" and a (ok i know the spelling will be wrong) a refiquim. I have seen pictures but really do not understand what the latter thing is. It looks like a small section of some sumps that is full of algea...

You got it. Do a search here on Reefland for refugium and you will learn lots of information. But in a nutshell, it is a place for delicate items beneficial to your tank to live without beying preyed upon.

[intoxop]

Scott,

Thanks alot for the info... hindsight is 20/20 i guess. I should have surfed the forums first. Oh well it's only money right!

This, being a new set up is still cycling and getting alot of brown algea over the last couple of days. Gonna go get a couple of snails to help and other suggestions?

Brent