Best filtration methods

[Jagator]

I just recently purchased a larger wet/dry filter with pump and skimmer for my tank. I have decided to go a different route and I am wondering what everyone's opinions are on the best filtration.

I am keeping the skimmer but selling the wet/dry and pump.

So what is everyone using? I need something rated larger for my tank I have currently. My filtration is a little underpowered in my opinion.

I am wanting to run a return pump on the outside of my sump for sure. I am still looking to run a skimmer in my sump but I can run it outside if that is the best practice. Thanks in advance!

[mcashflash]

Hi Jagator,

I've actually been wondering the same thing. I don't even have a filter anymore. I have a 30g tank with 2 powerheads, and that's it. After my filter broke, I went to go buy a new one, but I was told that my live rock does the filtering. I'm now starting to think I need something now, because there are still white particles in the water even after my most recent water change. I have quite a few small fish so what should I be using?

What's the size of your tank Jagator?

Thank you!

[MikeAtJax]

I use LR with a skimmer. Some also use a sock and maybe a refug with some algae.

[mcashflash]

Originally Posted by MikeAtJax

I use LR with a skimmer. Some also use a sock and maybe a refug with some algae.

Okay, I'm not quite down with the fish lingo yet... Would you mind telling a noob what an LR, a sock, and a refug are? Would all this be necessary in a 30 gallon?

[Loverotties]

LR=Live Rock,sock is a filter sock,Refug is refugium it helps keep your PH steady.

[mcashflash]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

LR=Live Rock,sock is a filter sock,Refug is refugium it helps keep your PH steady.

Thank you! So, I should probably have some sort of filtration, right? What do you recommend for a 30g?

[MikeAtJax]

a skimmer first

[mcashflash]

Originally Posted by MikeAtJax

a skimmer first

What type of skimmer would be best? I don't want something that goes in the tank, or hangs onto it. My tank is built into my bar, so, something on the outside would be preferred.

[quick_murdoc]

There are a few skimmers that hang on the back and like everything else they vary in price. Many people like to hide the filter something like a sock or skimmer under the tank which is why they tend to use wet/dry without the bio balls or a refug.

[mcashflash]

Originally Posted by quick_murdoc

There are a few skimmers that hang on the back and like everything else they vary in price. Many people like to hide the filter something like a sock or skimmer under the tank which is why they tend to use wet/dry without the bio balls or a refug.

All these skimmers look so huge! What do they means by 'in-sump' skimmers? I just don't know where to begin, they all discuss foam, but I don't have any foam build-up at the top of the water. What I do have is excess waste I think, and the water isn't clear, there are tiny white particles floating around. When I used to have a filter, after I did a water change the water would be chrystal clear, but I also had less fish then. So, I'd just like to know the ideal hang-on protein skimmer... I'm basically going with a Berlin filter system, so I just need the skimmer to complete this.

I'm currently looking at this one:
Red Sea Berlin X2 Venturi Protein Simmer

[Jagator]

My current setup is a 90 gallon AGA with corner overflow. I have the overflow running to a wet/dry with LR inside as well as mechanical filtration. I have an in-sump skimmer (small though, have a larger one waiting to be hooked up ). Then running from the sump under the tank to my return going into the tank.

I have LR in my wet/dry instead of bioballs and also have about 150lbs. + of LR in my display.

I was thinking of ditching my wet/dry for a larger one originally (thats why I bought the 200) but now I am thinking of running a fuge instead. I was still thinking of the wet/dry setup with a fuge in the middle to collect algae. Then I was going to run my skimmer in the sump and a return pump outside the sump. Does that sound good. I am working on my flow right now, I have 2 Koralia 3s that should arrive tomorrow excited.

mcashflash: Does your tank have an overflow setup? If so, the best would be to run the water in the overflow to a sump under the tank (bascially like a smaller tank) then inside the sump you would have a protein skimmer. If you do not have an overflow then you can either buy a overflow box (hang-on) or just run a hang-on protein skimmer. The one I have heard is very good is the Aqua C Remora. I would recommend that one if you are looking for a hang-on type. Don't worry about the size, overfiltration is always encouraged. Do you have live rock in your tank currently? If not, the addition of Live Rock and some flow (a couple Koralia 1s would work great for your 30G) would give you some really good filtration as well.

[mcashflash]

Originally Posted by Jagator

mcashflash: Does your tank have an overflow setup? If so, the best would be to run the water in the overflow to a sump under the tank (bascially like a smaller tank) then inside the sump you would have a protein skimmer. If you do not have an overflow then you can either buy a overflow box (hang-on) or just run a hang-on protein skimmer. The one I have heard is very good is the Aqua C Remora. I would recommend that one if you are looking for a hang-on type. Don't worry about the size, overfiltration is always encouraged. Do you have live rock in your tank currently? If not, the addition of Live Rock and some flow (a couple Koralia 1s would work great for your 30G) would give you some really good filtration as well.

Thanks Jagator,
No, I don't have any overflow setup. But I think could set something like that up, there would be the room. I have 30 lbs live rock, 1 powerhead, and 1 Koralia water pump. So how would I set up this overflow? Get a bucket under the tank, then?? So instead of a hang-on skimmer, you'd recommend the overflow type...I'm not exactly sure of how to set all that up.

[Jagator]

Originally Posted by mcashflash

Thanks Jagator,
No, I don't have any overflow setup. But I think could set something like that up, there would be the room. I have 30 lbs live rock, 1 powerhead, and 1 Koralia water pump. So how would I set up this overflow? Get a bucket under the tank, then?? So instead of a hang-on skimmer, you'd recommend the overflow type...I'm not exactly sure of how to set all that up.

A hang-on skimmer would work good for a 30G tank but the optimal filtration would be a overflow box. Something like this:

This would create a siphon tanking water over the edge of your tank into the overflow box. You would then have to run a line from the bottom of the overflow box to a sump underneath the tank. Something like this:
The water would come into the sump through the sock and inside the sump you would house a protein skimmer like this:
This would take in your tank water and infuse it with air creating foam. Basically, if I understand these correctly, the bad stuff clings inside the foam and the foam rises through the tube and into the collection cup at the top. This cup is emptied regularly. The excess water is drained back into your sump and then it would travel into the next chamber in the sump. Now you have to get the water from your sump back to your tank. This is the way I plan to do it. A return pipe going over the edge of the sump and into a return pump then going back up the side of the side and into the tank. Like this:
That is basically a breakdown of everything I just said besides the filter sock and the protein skimmer in the sump. This should give you a better idea.

However, while this may be the most used filtration and most recommended you could just use a hang-on skimmer and it would work good also since you have flow and live rock. This entire setup can be pricey but worth it.

This is the setup I am thinking of using but cannot decide whether to use a regular sump or a refugium. A refugium is basically the same look but a little different:

Basically if I understand the point correctly you would have a light above the refugium that comes on alternately to your display lighting and live rock inside it. This would cause algae to grow in the refugium and reduce or eliminate algae from growing in the display. This is what I want to do.

Am I correct in this? I am still new to all of this also.

[mcashflash]

Wow! You are so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to post all of that! I'm going to print it out and bring it with me to the store tonight! It all makes sense now

[Jagator]

Not a problem. I would wait to see if anyone has any corrections to make to my post. I am still new at this also but this is how I understand everything right now. I very well could have something here wrong.