HOB Filtration

[jimk60]

I run an aquaclear 70

 

[jimk60]

I run an aquaclear 70

I run an aquaclear 70 mainly for cardon and any other chemicals I want to run. You get better flow through it than just dropping a bag in the sump. That being said I would definitely go with an hob skimmer to go with it for main filtration

 

[OrchidMiss]

@OrchidMiss don't you run an HOB on your 110?

I do. I run a Reef Octopus 2000 HOB on my 110

 

[Ironclad]

Hello and welcome, a sump can be a 40 breeder 1/2 off Petco. 60.00. plexiglass sheets for home Depot and cutting tool. A hang on back skimmer of any quality will be more expensive than an I sump skimmer. That money can go for the tank with overflow. Use soft plumbing. Jebao return pump 70.00 Amazon. Skimmer first, refugium and then return section. This won't be much more than what you are planning

I can get the Tidal 110 for $77.64 before tax right now….. even if I needed two of these filters how is it possible that the cost of a sump would even come close to this?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Close is relative to the person with the finances, but I have shown you the two most expensive parts of the sump and how inexpensive they can be using soft plumbing. Do a build sheet on paper diy sump with overflow tank vs two hang on the back filters standard tank. If you can pull it off, you will be happier with a sump imo. I have maybe 200.00 into my 40 breeder sump if I used soft plumbing. I'm in the middle of the build as we speak. I have a 75 gallon reef ready aqueon I purchased for 100. 00 total includes 70 pounds already cleaned pukani Rock, reef octopus 110 skimmer, carbon reactor. I resealed the tank spent two days cleaning equipment. Heaters are new Eheim 100 watt x3 for 19.00 apiece on Amazon as we speak.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I can get the Tidal 110 for $77.64 before tax right now….. even if I needed two of these filters how is it possible that the cost of a sump would even come close to this?

Please read above for some ideas

 

[Ironclad]

Close is relative to the person with the finances, but I have shown you the two most expensive parts of the sump and how inexpensive they can be using soft plumbing. Do a build sheet on paper diy sump with overflow tank vs two hang on the back filters standard tank. If you can pull it off, you will be happier with a sump imo. I have maybe 200.00 into my 40 breeder sump if I used soft plumbing. I'm in the middle of the build as we speak. I have a 75 gallon reef ready aqueon I purchased for 100. 00 total includes 70 pounds already cleaned pukani Rock, reef octopus 110 skimmer, carbon reactor. I resealed the tank spent two days cleaning equipment. Heaters are new Eheim 100 watt x3 for 19.00 apiece on Amazon as we speak.

Thank you so much for the insight! However, I guess I may be slow or missing something completely but I am still failing to see how you are only 200 into your sump. You listed the skimmer that you are using as the reef Octopus 110. That alone is $270. I understand that you can DIY the tank for the sump itself to save some money. What I dont understand is how people can say that a sump is nearly as expensive as HOB filters when the cost for JUST the skimmer is nearly $300.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Thank you so much for the insight! However, I guess I may be slow or missing something completely but I am still failing to see how you are only 200 into your sump. You listed the skimmer that you are using as the reef Octopus 110. That alone is $270. I understand that you can DIY the tank for the sump itself to save some money. What I dont understand is how people can say that a sump is nearly as expensive as HOB filters when the cost for JUST the skimmer is nearly $300.

You already have to purchase the skimmer for a hang on the back. Same cost or less for an in-sump. If you are not ready for a skimmer just run a refugium sump for now and add a skimmer later. Much easier with a sump you don't need anything thing more than a refugium and a return. The reef octopus I have came with the tank used again all of what you see in my photos except the heaters and 40 breeder sump was 100. 00 including already bleached pukani Rock. If the pump goes on the skimmer, which is unlikely, it can easily be replaced. Even if it takes you a month to save up the money, your tank will still be fine in the meantime.

 

[Ironclad]

Ah I see. I've seen where some people have had success with just running the HOB filter and no skimmer on smaller tanks. What I was wondering is if someone had success on a somewhat larger tank such as the 90-gallon that I am going to do.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Ah I see. I've seen where some people have had success with just running the HOB filter and no skimmer on smaller tanks. What I was wondering is if someone had success on a somewhat larger tank such as the 90-gallon that I am going to do.

Penn-Plax Cascade All-in-One Aquarium Canister Filter – for Tanks Up to 200 Gallons (350 GPH) – Cascade 1500 https://a.co/d/cce4StW

This will be better IMHO

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Ah I see. I've seen where some people have had success with just running the HOB filter and no skimmer on smaller tanks. What I was wondering is if someone had success on a somewhat larger tank such as the 90-gallon that I am going to do.

CerMedia MarinePure 1.5-Inch Sphere Bio-Filter Media for Marine and Freshwater Aquariums, 2-Quart https://a.co/d/3Xu7EjS

Then add two boxes of these

 

[Cichlid Dad]

 

[Ironclad]

I had originally thought about going with a canister filter but heard they can be bad with nitrates. Also, I'm sure you have other media as well such as sponges?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I had originally thought about going with a canister filter but heard they can be bad with nitrates. Also, I'm sure you have other media as well such as sponges?

I have coarse foam on the bottom, the rest is just the midia. You will want to clean the sponge every week or two. Just squeeze it out in rodi or distilled water.

 

[Ironclad]

Very interesting. Are you currently running that? If so is it a reef tank and what size?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Very interesting. Are you currently running that? If so is it a reef tank and what size?

No, but it was on a fish only 60 gallon. I ran a 60 reef tank with a 110, and one of those sea clone hob skimmer and converted an old 450 bio wheel hob into a refugium. I've done what you are planning and I would have saved a lot of time if I would have gone with a 90 reef ready and sump, that is kinda why I'm suggesting you go that route. I think you will be much happier.

 

[Uncle99]

This is a 5 year old 65g with AquaClear 110.
It has a small coralife skimmer to keep nutrients in check and waters oxygenated. Opposing Jebao wave makers.
It needs a 10% water change weekly.
Works fine.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

This is a 5 year old 65g with AquaClear 110.
It has a small coralife skimmer to keep nutrients in check and waters oxygenated. Opposing Jebao wave makers.
It needs a 10% water change weekly.
Works fine.

Looks awesome

 

[Uncle99]

Looks awesome

Sometimes simple is better.
It does not have to be an expensive hobby.
Be sure to run an ATO to keep salinity 100% stable.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Sometimes simple is better.
It does not have to be an expensive hobby.

And your tank definitely proves without question you don't need a sump