Filtration - AIO (All-in-one) Sump/ Refugium w/skimmer

[lichmii]

Greets all,

Newbe here jumping into saltwater after have having 75gal freshwater tank with 1GF for 17 years. He was a big sucker..yup.

Does anyone have first hand knowledge working with the all-in-one on the market. e.g. AETech protean 400, CPR Aquafuge etc. I find very few reviews searching the web. Or is it best to stick with piece parts?

Here is the build I'm working on:

First saltwater / reef tank build will be - 48x18x12. custom rimless predrilled bottom.
LED lighting.
LR - in tank and sump.
LS - in tank and refugium?

I do not plan on loading the tank to much - 2-4maroon clownfish and bubble tip anemone to start then a few robust swimmer there after.

Any feed back is welcome, especially related to filtration. I'm on info overload.

Regards,
John.

[Chasman]

John

I have the EcoSystem Pro 40 which is the exact same thing as the CPR Aquafuge. The EcoSystem is made by CPR. I'm using the fourty gal model on a 30gal tank. The 60 model would be more appropriate for your what appears to be a 55gal.

Mine has been up and running since October with what I consider good results. The model I have is powered by a Rio600 pump which operates the skimmer. I use Miracle Mud in mine because that is what came with it, but a good fine argonite sand would work just as well. I have a ball of Cheato algae in mine and it grows quite ferociously.

I encountered one problem with the pump when it got cloged up with salt in the air intake. Pop it off, rince it out, and it was back in action. I did purchase a backup pump for about $25 just in case. Pump is very easy to change out.

My bio load is quite low. One fish, an acan, some mushrooms and zoas, and a fairly good sized star polyp. I also run a Fluval canister filter for carbon use only.

I've been quite happy with mine. The water quality is excellent with zero nitrates still to this day. I find it easier to deal with than a sump and power failures only give about an eighth of an inch rise in tank level.

The only down side is that they are a bit pricey.

On another note, these are hang off the back filters and if you have a predrilled tank, I would think you would want to go with a sump/fuge system that would hold more water volume, be more beneficial in the long run, and out of sight under your tank.

Hope that helps.

Chasman

[lichmii]

Thank you Chasman,

While I do try and keep costs under control I do see the value in quality equipment and do not mind the cost for robustness. And yes, this would go under the tank in the stand.

I have read about the flooding sump issues and hope to avoid by keeping returns close to same level as the drain. More reading to do on this subject though.

Will continue to monitor for additional input before puchashing the filter system. Tank wont be ready for pick up till early June.

Regards,
John.

[Steve McKay]

John

I have the EcoSystem Pro 40 which is the exact same thing as the CPR Aquafuge. The EcoSystem is made by CPR. I'm using the fourty gal model on a 30gal tank. The 60 model would be more appropriate for your what appears to be a 55gal.

Mine has been up and running since October with what I consider good results. The model I have is powered by a Rio600 pump which operates the skimmer. I use Miracle Mud in mine because that is what came with it, but a good fine argonite sand would work just as well. I have a ball of Cheato algae in mine and it grows quite ferociously.

I encountered one problem with the pump when it got cloged up with salt in the air intake. Pop it off, rince it out, and it was back in action. I did purchase a backup pump for about $25 just in case. Pump is very easy to change out.

My bio load is quite low. One fish, an acan, some mushrooms and zoas, and a fairly good sized star polyp. I also run a Fluval canister filter for carbon use only.

I've been quite happy with mine. The water quality is excellent with zero nitrates still to this day. I find it easier to deal with than a sump and power failures only give about an eighth of an inch rise in tank level.

The only down side is that they are a bit pricey.

On another note, these are hang off the back filters and if you have a predrilled tank, I would think you would want to go with a sump/fuge system that would hold more water volume, be more beneficial in the long run, and out of sight under your tank.

Hope that helps.

Chasman

+1. I didn't know you were still around, where you been hiding. I have a special rock for those orange shrums.