Filtration help

[cheese614]

Hello everybody! I currently have a 75 gallon saltwater tank with a custom painted background. Currently running a 307 canister with a spray bar that goes across 90% of the tank and I know it’s not enough which is why I’m here making this post.

Question is….

1. Do I get another 307 and just upkeep the cleaning so I don’t get high nitrates. Get an additional spray bar to create different flow in the tank….

2. Keep the current 307 and remove the media so I still get the spray bar functionality but have no media in it and then get 2 ac110’s for the actual filtration…..

3. Scrape the background, drill the tank for a sump set up and then repaint the custom background…..

I don’t know which to do. Help! lol

 

[Dan_P]

Hello everybody! I currently have a 75 gallon saltwater tank with a custom painted background. Currently running a 307 canister with a spray bar that goes across 90% of the tank and I know it’s not enough which is why I’m here making this post.

Question is….

1. Do I get another 307 and just upkeep the cleaning so I don’t get high nitrates. Get an additional spray bar to create different flow in the tank….

2. Keep the current 307 and remove the media so I still get the spray bar functionality but have no media in it and then get 2 ac110’s for the actual filtration…..

3. Scrape the background, drill the tank for a sump set up and then repaint the custom background…..

I don’t know which to do. Help! lol

What is currently in the canister? What is the spray bar accomplishing in your system? If it is circulation, just add powerheads to the aquarium for this.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I don't get the point of a second canister filter especially if you know it will cost you more work to keep them clean. I agree if you want more flow then add powerheads, if you want more filtration than add a skimmer to work in conjunction with your canister

 

[cheese614]

Hello everybody! I currently have a 75 gallon saltwater tank with a custom painted background. Currently running a 307 canister with a spray bar that goes across 90% of the tank and I know it’s not enough which is why I’m here making this post.

Question is….

1. Do I get another 307 and just upkeep the cleaning so I don’t get high nitrates. Get an additional spray bar to create different flow in the tank….

2. Keep the current 307 and remove the media so I still get the spray bar functionality but have no media in it and then get 2 ac110’s for the actual filtration…..

3. Scrape the background, drill the tank for a sump set up and then repaint the custom background…..

I don’t know which to do. Help! lol

What is currently in the canister? What is the spray bar accomplishing in your system? If it is circulation, just add powerheads to the aquarium for this.

Currently it’s just the black, blue, white sponges and then I have 4 polishing pads and carbon. I took the bio media out to see if that had any affect on the level of nitrates.

 

[cheese614]

I don't get the point of a second canister filter especially if you know it will cost you more work to keep them clean. I agree if you want more flow then add powerheads, if you want more filtration than add a skimmer to work in conjunction with your canister

307 is only rated for up to 70 gallons which is why I was gonna get a second canister so they’d work in conjunction together and hopefully not build up as quick. Plus it’s already here and don’t have to spend another few hundred on power heads to achieve basically the same function this is already doing ifffff I remove the media and get 2 hang on the back filters

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO a canister (and a hob filter) is a mechanical filter which does not 'export' nutrients or dissolved organics, therefor the canister will not reduce nitrates. Other filtration methods such as a skimmer or a refugium or a algae roller, and even water changes, all 'export' nutrients and docs.

 

[ScottJ]

What are your parameters and what do you use to test them with? What type if tank is it (FOLR, mixed reef, softy, etc) Pictures are always help people give better answers

 

[Idech]

I would ditch the spray bar. I used one in my freshwater tank but I don’t feel it’s appropriate for a reef tank. Use 2 powerheads instead and aim one at the surface for water agitation and oxygenation.

If you want better filtration, look at Tunze internal filter and internal skimmer. They do a good job. I would sell you mine but I am in Canada.

 

[cheese614]

What are your parameters and what do you use to test them with? What type if tank is it (FOLR, mixed reef, softy, etc) Pictures are always help people give better answers

Everything checks out normal besides Nitates. Phosphates could come down a little but nothing out of the ordinary. There’s only a couple corals in it; mushrooms, anemones, blasto, finger leather.

 

[ScottJ]

You may want to look at this;
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/randy’s-thoughts-on-nutrient-target-ranges.1095199/

I would have quit a bit more rock if it were me. It is the main filter in a reef tank.

 

[Bear22]

Hello everybody! I currently have a 75 gallon saltwater tank with a custom painted background. Currently running a 307 canister with a spray bar that goes across 90% of the tank and I know it’s not enough which is why I’m here making this post.

Question is….

1. Do I get another 307 and just upkeep the cleaning so I don’t get high nitrates. Get an additional spray bar to create different flow in the tank….

2. Keep the current 307 and remove the media so I still get the spray bar functionality but have no media in it and then get 2 ac110’s for the actual filtration…..

3. Scrape the background, drill the tank for a sump set up and then repaint the custom background…..

I don’t know which to do. Help! lol

Don't buy into the tribal lore as canister filters as being a "nitrate factory".

I run an Oase Biomaster exclusively on my aquarium with a heavy livestock load and I have to dose nitrates just to keep things around 5-10ppm.

Canister filter companies rate their filter's flow sans any media installed. So, as a general rule of thumb most settle on about 50% flow of advertised flow rate with media.

Personally, I'd run a sump on what I consider a medium-large size tank such as a 75 gallon.

If you desire to stick with the canister route I'd opt for a decent power head instead of another canister filter. And finally I'd ditch the spray bar and opt for a jet style lily pipe for the sole purpose of vigorous surface agitation. Or better still, the Neo jet pipe with surface skimmer.