External filter for nano tank

[RaymondL]

I'd like to set up a 12 gallon softies tank - something small and manageable - it's not an all in one but just a bare glass tank. What would be suggestions for filtration for such a small set up? External hang on back filter, etc?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I think hob equipment takes a lot of space on nano tanks. On my small tanks (5 and 10 gallons) I don't have filters, I just do 1 gallon water change every few days.

I do have a spare hob filter and sometimes I use it to run activated carbon, but that is really the only one benefit a tiny hob filter can provide.

Soft corals do release toxins so for a softie tank you might want one to help remove the toxins, but again if you do frequent enough water changes its not necessary. So its really up to you. Sorry I feel this is not a good answer but it really is up to you

 

[Naekuh]

I'd like to set up a 12 gallon softies tank - something small and manageable - it's not an all in one but just a bare glass tank. What would be suggestions for filtration for such a small set up? External hang on back filter, etc?

seachem tidal 55.
You can convert it into a cheato refugium later if you stuff it with chaeto and drop in a light.

You can load it with carbon and purigen, and remove the sponges so they don't become nitrate factories.
Offers one of the biggest caddies you can have for a HOB.
Its an OG Aqua Clear on steriods basically with a sicce pump.


They are extremely easy to clean and maintain.

And it will give you good flow on top, along with a surface skimmer.

 

[RaymondL]

seachem tidal 55.
You can convert it into a cheato refugium later if you stuff it with chaeto and drop in a light.

You can load it with carbon and purigen, and remove the sponges so they don't become nitrate factories.
Offers one of the biggest caddies you can have for a HOB.
Its an OG Aqua Clear on steriods basically with a sicce pump.


They are extremely easy to clean and maintain.

And it will give you good flow on top, along with a surface skimmer.

Thank you so much for the tip on the Tidal 55! I went to the Seachem website and they now have a tidal 35, which is much smaller, so I'm going to go for that.

I never considered HOB filters before since I've never used one since the fresh water days. I didn't even know they were still a thing.

Thanks again!

 

[Team ASD]

I'd like to set up a 12 gallon softies tank - something small and manageable - it's not an all in one but just a bare glass tank. What would be suggestions for filtration for such a small set up? External hang on back filter, etc?

I would say a small hang on back ( I like the tidal series) for filtration, a place to put carbon, ect as well as the most important part everyone forgets about which is oxygenation of the water.
Sure you could stick an airstone in the tank but it will create a froth at the top which is essentially skimmate.

 

[Terry Le]

I have 25 and 17 gallons reefs both have hang on back filters

 

[SlicVic]

seachem tidal 55.
You can convert it into a cheato refugium later if you stuff it with chaeto and drop in a light.

You can load it with carbon and purigen, and remove the sponges so they don't become nitrate factories.
Offers one of the biggest caddies you can have for a HOB.
Its an OG Aqua Clear on steriods basically with a sicce pump.


They are extremely easy to clean and maintain.

And it will give you good flow on top, along with a surface skimmer.

So tell me, how do I/what do I setup/put in the HOB filter for my reef aquarium.?

 

[MoshJosh]

Tidal 35

(11 gallon)

 

[Solo McReefer]

So tell me, how do I/what do I setup/put in the HOB filter for my reef aquarium.?

Your real filter is the live rock

 

[shcrimps]

I'd like to set up a 12 gallon softies tank - something small and manageable - it's not an all in one but just a bare glass tank. What would be suggestions for filtration for such a small set up? External hang on back filter, etc?

oase bio master thermo filter
yes it’s a canister but i’ve been running a mixed reef on one for a year now with low low maintenance and had zero issues
the one i have has a pre filter i don’t know if the smaller ones do but you can get them with a built in heater, the only downside is no surface skimming unless you use lily pipes but there’s glass ones that work perfect

 

[SlicVic]

Tidal 35

(11 gallon)

Beautiful! So what's in your HOB filter?

 

[SlicVic]

Your real filter is the live rock

I have live rock...I have a HOB on one aquarium and an AIO biocube as well. The biocube always has an algae problem but the other doesn't. I use chemipure blue, Matrix, and carbon filter cartridges. Is this good?

 

[Luigi Reefs]

I have live rock...I have a HOB on one aquarium and an AIO biocube as well. The biocube always has an algae problem but the other doesn't. I use chemipure blue, Matrix, and carbon filter cartridges. Is this good?

I have the Tidal 35 on my 10 gallons. I consider the HOB as mechanical filtration and not biological filtration. On the bottom of the container, I use a coarse filter sponge and above that I use poly fiber for finer mechanical filtration. I change the coarse sponge every 2 weeks, and the poly fiber 2x a week.



I also run carbon in a mesh bag as the last layer.

 

[SlicVic]

I have the Tidal 35 on my 10 gallons. I consider the HOB as mechanical filtration and not biological filtration. On the bottom of the container, I use a coarse filter sponge and above that I use poly fiber for finer mechanical filtration. I change the coarse sponge every 2 weeks, and the poly fiber 2x a week.



I also run carbon in a mesh bag as the last layer.

Thank you I will try that!

 

[sangria517]

oase bio master thermo filter
yes it’s a canister but i’ve been running a mixed reef on one for a year now with low low maintenance and had zero issues
the one i have has a pre filter i don’t know if the smaller ones do but you can get them with a built in heater, the only downside is no surface skimming unless you use lily pipes but there’s glass ones that work perfect

How do you clean yours? I have one on my 10g nano as well. I just recently discovered that Oase claims this is approved for freshwater only. My has been going 6 months with no issues. I just recently did a deep clean letting is soak for a 15ish minutes in some citric acid. I have been debating if I should get one that is rated for Saltwater, but at the same time. if it is not broke, dont fix it.
I took out my carbon filter in mine and put in some Chemipure nanos in there to help as well.