Advice for tank filtration

[Jefdav84]

Wanted to kind of separate this thread from my introduction thread. For those of you that welcomed me, and gave advice I really appreciate it.

For now with my setup (60 Gallon Marine Land long) I will be going with HOB for filtration purposes. A sump for now is not an option (will go for that down the road if I upgrade). I currently have a Cascade 1000 canister (default media) for filtration.

1) Would a HOB filter be easier to maintain? or stick with the canister?
2) Marineland vs Aquaclear vs Tidal?
3) Do I put money towards a protein skimmer instead? If so RO or AquaMaxx?
4) Run a HOB / Canister filter and Protein skimmer

 

[LiveWire]

What are you going to be stocking the tank with? If you are starting with e FOWLR tank I would skip the skimmer all together and rely on water changes. If you plan on keeping some corals then I would look into a HOB skimmer. There are many good ones out there. I would check reviews and also check what sizes will work with your tank. The canister will work fine to start with and the most important thing with them is you cant get (LARS) Lazy *** Reefer Syndrome. As long as you clean it every week or two change the carbon monthly and rinse the filter media it will work just fine.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I like the Aquaclear filters. I have a AC70 on my QT 10g tank. Easy to change media, control flow and powerful. Probably the AC110 will be the good size for your tank. Either choice, you must have an ATO. That will keep stability on your tank.

 

[Jefdav84]

What are you going to be stocking the tank with? If you are starting with e FOWLR tank I would skip the skimmer all together and rely on water changes. If you plan on keeping some corals then I would look into a HOB skimmer. There are many good ones out there. I would check reviews and also check what sizes will work with your tank. The canister will work fine to start with and the most important thing with them is you cant get (LARS) Lazy *** Reefer Syndrome. As long as you clean it every week or two change the carbon monthly and rinse the filter media it will work just fine.

Going to be a little mix between fish and soft coral. This is my entry to the saltwater world, so I want to sort of keep it simple until I can get the hang of everything.

 

[LiveWire]

Going to be a little mix between fish and soft coral. This is my entry to the saltwater world, so I want to sort of keep it simple until I can get the hang of everything.

Starting out I would skip the skimmer and spend the money on an ATO like @spyder813 mentioned. Keeping salinity stable is key and an ATO takes that headache away. If you keep a good water change schedule and stick to it as well as keep your canister filter clean then you can save up and get a quality hob skimmer that will fit your needs when you are ready to start adding more or different corals like SPS.

 

[Ultrawalrus]

I have a 29gal standard and started with a canister filter. After about 6 months of having to deal with cleaning and maintaining I switched to a HOB, the Tidal35. I was really impressed with it. Never have used the Aquaclear, but the Tidal does have the removable media tray and it has a surface skimmer of sorts. I have a small HOB skimmer as well. Not sure if it even really doing anything. Barley collects. Tank is stocked with a couple clowns, flame angel, watchman goby, and royal gramma. Full of soft corals and LPS. Have a few montis in there as well. Personally I would go with HOB filtration. Canister filters are a pain!.

 

[Jefdav84]

Thanks for the replies. I just want to make sure when I spend $$$ I am spending it based on priority. Don't want to drop $80 on HOB filter if it is not going to be an upgrade to the canister i already have. That $80 could go towards something else that would be more beneficial to my set up.

 

[tbare89]

The best thing you can focus your money on is a RO/DI setup and making water changes easier so you're more likely to do them. Skip a protein skimmer for now.

 

[Rcpilot]

I'd look at a CPR HOB refugium. There's even a model with a built-in skimmer. It comes with the pump. Back in the day it was a MJ1200 powerhead. I used one for my 30H mixed reed and later moved it to a 29g frag tank. You can put sand or mud in the bottom of the refugium and cheato or other macros on top. CPR also sells a light that fits on top perfectly. The whole setup isn't cheap, but it's well worth the cost. You get a refugium for pods and macro algae. The skimmer actually works pretty darn good and if it overflows it will just run back into the tank. And it provides a decent amount of water movement.

 

[Luna]

I’m using a cpr/hob on my 20 long & my 75 gal. Does work pretty good. Looking to put a sump on my 75g though just so I can have a bigger skimmer. I think those Tidal filters look pretty good along with the AIO- HOB/refugium/skimmer like have you should be good.

 

[EMeyer]

I'd skip any kind of mechanical filtration altogether. Priority #1 should be making a sump an option. Priority #2 would be a skimmer. My 2 cents.

 

[Jefdav84]

I'd skip any kind of mechanical filtration altogether. Priority #1 should be making a sump an option. Priority #2 would be a skimmer. My 2 cents.

Unfortunately I don't have enough room for a sump. My stand is only 10 inches in width in bottom cabinet.