New Setup

[matt19849]

<P>I am just starting to set up a new aquarium for marine fish and reef.</P>
<P>I have been looking at different external filters to buy for my 55gallon tank. I was orginally looking at a Eheim 2213 filter and read mixed reviews on it, after talking to an aquarium store they recommended a Fluval 405 again I have read mixed reviews on this filter, some reviews saying they have leaked all over the floor! </P>
<P>I was just wondering what filter is more recommended?</P>

[Reefland]

Hi matt19849, Welcome to Reefland!

I would recommend passing on a mechanical filter and going with a high quality protein skimmer, good quality liverock and frequent water changes instead.

[Zoanuts]

Scott,
I agree totally on Passing on a Mechanical filter. I have had some luck but the Skimmers with small sump and fuge go a long way in the stabillity of a new system. Plus give you and area to hand all of the crud like heaters, pH monitors, etc..

[King Triton]

As these two Respones are not wrong about mechanical filters I wouldnt disreguard a mech. filter there are options if you are worried about water if a leak occures .I have had many diffrent filters over the years and found some leak some dont .Usely leaks are due to loose connections or not being assembled tightly after cleaning(user malfuntion)Anyway I keep my canisters in a 20 gal tank under my stand that way I have time to notice any leaks.If you are serious about your tank you will do something to it every day so noticeing shouldnt be a problem.But if you want to know where to invest your money filter wise First buy a RO filter no mech. filter will give the quality water a RO and water changes will.And dont skimp on a skimmer amonenia turns into Nitrates so if you dont skim the waste you will still have poor water quality.By the way I have had alot of success with the Mangnum canisters easy to use and not alot of fittings where leaks can occure.

[matt19849]

Cheers for the replies,
This has kind of confused me a bit now! Do i not need a filter if i get a skimmer because I was under the impression I had to have both!?
Is it possible for someone to drop down a quick list of things i need to get the tank up and running! soz to be a pain

[The R/C Man]

Here you go!

1 - Reef ready tank - preferably 75 - 120 gallons (long not tall) for ease of care and best bang for your buck on over all equipment expenses
1 - 1 1/2lbs of "live rock" per gallon of water = biological filtration
1 - protein skimmer of high quality (don't be cheap here) = removes dissolved organics before they break down into the bad stuff
4-5" of oolitic sand (really small grain) = filtration by denitrification and adds bio diversity to the system
1 - sump/refugium under the display to house plants (for nitrate removal) and a place to keep all your equipment such as heaters, pumps, probes etc.
1 - return pump to get the water from the sump back up into the display tank. Make sure the pump is not rated for more flow than the overflows can handle.
1 - heater
Lights: will depend on what you want to keep in the tank. SPS corals require Metal Halide lighting...

This may sound complex but it really is not. Water flows via gravity to a tank in the stand and then it is pumped back into the main tank via a return pump. It is just a loop. With the exception of the protein skimmer and water changes the tank in essence filters itself through natural processes the occur within the sand bed, live rock and from growing macro algae kept in the sump. If you do some research on this board and others you can see how people have set up their systems. Some are really simple and others are very complex. I like the simple and straight forward approach myself.

Feel free to keep the questions coming and I will try to assist you as best I can.

[King Triton]

Like I had mentioned befor you dont have to have a mech. filter but I would ,the more filtration the better.You mentioned you were confused about not needing a filter.Your live rock works as a natural filter as long as there is water flow through the rock hence needing filters or powerheads or both but if you chose just powerheads you will need frequent water changes RO water recommended by me the reason being then the water going in the tank has zero nitrates after going throuh a RO filter.They arnt cheep but you can get a decent one for about $200 on ebay new.A skimmer removes waste which will turn to nitrates if not removed.Carbon filters also help with waste removal.When I say waste I am talking about amonia and other debree that could be in the water amonia will turn to nitrates if not removed.Nitrates are not a marine tanks friend you want your tank to be as close to 0 parts per million of nitrates as you can possiably make it.With high nitrates fish wont be as healthy and some wont survive even more delicate are coarls.Although there are some coarls that will do ok in mid level nitrates they will flourish and propogate in high quality water.So buy as much filtration as you can afford but first stock good live rock and a good protine skimmer.I ahve been keeping fish tanks fresh and marine for over 20 yrs so if you have questions I will try to help if you need.feel free to email me theburrs2@charter.net

[matt19849]

errrrm,
now im a bit more confused again lol
i've been told ill need an external pump to filter the water, a skimmer to get the foamy bits of the water, lighting, heaters, power head (not sure what one is) and a uv filter
would that not do the trick?

sorry im new to this ive had tropical fish up to now always been diving so thought i would goto marine fish just learning as i go!

[The R/C Man]

I recommend against a canister filters (old school) because they are nitrate trap/sinks. The natural method of live rock/sand and a protein skimmer along with live plants (macro algae) will keep your water in top shop shape. That is how nature does it and it is the preffered method of maintaining corals these days. You don't need a UV sterilizer. You can add one later if you would like.... Take your time and research the hobby. Most of your local chain pet stores have no idea on proper reef maintainance or care. You need to seek out a specialty shop for good advice. Listen to everything and weed out the odd stuff. You will start to see a pattern evolving. Look at tanks that are successful and lean toward their advice. The last 20 years has shown substantial improvments in reef keeping and none them involve undergravel filters. Research is going to be key in success. Be patient.

[matt19849]

cheers for all your replies im doing a lot of google searching at the moment to try and understand everythin there is to know! Its one of those things where you have a big tank starring at you wanting to be filled!!!!

[Zoanuts]

Fill the sucker with some dirt and rock and a little agua!!!