Big tank filter

[asperkolls]

Ordering 400 gallon tank (120x32x24 penninsula style )but want the most effective/maintenance free filteration setup. I will have filter room in basement.

Any recommendations?

 

[brandon429]

Question

Since filters aren't needed in reef tanks, why not simply the design and make it a closed loop system? It's not like you need extra volume. I get making it technical for techs sake, but it doesn't help the reef live longer than one with no filter... is this a priority for reasons other than just pure tech? With less fail points it's more stable in my opinion

 

[edsbeaker]

Is this for a FOWLR or reef tank? If it is FOWLR or Reef tank your rocks will be your biological filter so the only additional filtering that you would need is mechanical which isn’t a necessity. Is your tank Reef Ready? Will you have a sump?

 

[BryanM]

You said simple, so here's my current take on simple.

Algae Turf scrubbers from santa monica. I also have filter socks still, but that's temporary while still battling dinos. I'll also note here that it works well enough for nutrient export that I bottomed out phosphate (again) after installing one and getting it up and running.... So you'll want to monitor nitrates and phosphates.

You have to harvest algae out of it around once a week.

 

[asperkolls]

I was planning on doing mostly fish with some easy corals, polyps and mushrooms. I'm an MD so don't have a ton of free time.

my filter plans currently include a 275 ibc tote for mixing saltwater with an RO water source. An additional 275 open from top for holding alot (several hundred lbs) of live rock.

I plan on having the water flow from tank overflows into the live rock tank. I'm thinking then I will have that overflow into my old 220 gallon aquarium. I plan on baffling that and having a large skimmer and refugium within that tank and then return to the display tank.

Should I flip it and have a separate tank as the refugium and then have that overflow into the live rock tank then to the 220. Would the macroalge/cheato benefit from the detritus?

any alternate configurations?

I want to make this system as maintanance free as possible.

Thanks. I'm newish to reefing

 

[edsbeaker]

You can just put the rock directly into the 400 gallon tank. It doesn’t need to be kept in a remote tank.
All you really would need is that old 220 gallon tank for a sump. Just add baffles for a skimmer and refugium. ( I would personally just buy a prefab sump) The water will gravity drain from the tank to sump, and return to the display tank using a return pump. That’s really all you would need. I hope I’m correctly understanding what you were describing.