Filter trouble, right filter for reef tank

ap2honda · 10-04-2007, 12:55 AM

I own a 55 gallon tank and i am running a fluval 305. I want to build a reef tank but i have heard that the fluval 305 canister filter is not recomended for a salt water tank. My question is why is this certain filter is not recomended? should i just use this filter on my freshwater tank or shall i continue using it on my salt water tank. Is it all that necessary to replace the fluval 305 filter for a diffrent filter for a reef tank set up. I would not like to change it considering i just bought the filter and it was pricey. I have read previous threads on TRT that people use the Fluval 305 but remove all the ceramic rings and bio foam and only run it on carbon. Is that a route i could possibly take or will i have to remove the filter and get one of those wet/filters?

My current 55 gal. tank set up:
Fluval 305 filter (70gal.)
Aqua-Tech (hang on back 30-60 gall)

ckusnierek · 10-04-2007, 05:53 AM

A tru wet/dry contains bio-media (usually bio-balls)

The "problem" with this bio media is that over time the organics the it's designed to trap break down into nitrates. In a FO nitrates are no big deal, in a reef they can pose a problem when over 10-20ppm.

In a reef the only filtration you need is live rock and skimming.

It's your choice as to remove the media from the canister, if you keep it you should remove it weekly and give it a good cleaning. Or like you have read replace the media with carbon.

Personally the only filtration I have is LR and a skimmer. I have removed anything that can trap nitrates. Including foam pre-filter, filter socks and pad filter.

HTH

tims · 10-04-2007, 06:00 AM

i totally agree with chris.
if you do run it, only use carbon in it. and be ready to change that often.

Loverotties · 10-04-2007, 06:02 AM

Chris covered it.The canister is ok if you clean it every couple days and only run carbon ,but your rocks are your filter in a reef.

ap2honda · 10-04-2007, 08:15 AM

oh ok well thanks for the advice guys i will see about buying a skimmer. My nearest Salt water store is 3 hours away but i going to San Antonio Tx this monday so i will stop buy and buy more stuff and the skimmer too thanks.

Geoff · 10-04-2007, 08:58 AM

call ahead and get a list of the skimmers they carry. there are quite a bit that are not very good. i would hate for you to drive that far and find nothing useful. you may be better off ordering one online.

G~

ap2honda · 10-04-2007, 03:04 PM

ok i decided to wait on the skimmer until i buy coral and reef stuff. For now i'm only going to go buy more live rock and a little bit more sand. When the time comes to get the coral and other reef stuff i will buy the skimmer and change my fluval to my 30 gallon tank that i want to build for only marine fish. The fluval will do good for a non reef tank right?
( I just started the tank so i only have live sand, one live rock, and my first to marine fish a blue devil damsel and a domino damsel. those two are the ones i will move to the non reef tank after i get some clown fish.)

Question # 2. What would you recomend for a non reef tank? just my fluval and live rock?

saltysupply · 10-04-2007, 03:20 PM

deff. go with more live rock...probaly is one of the more essential's in a reef tank

for a non reef tank, a fluval would work...even in a non reef tank I still prefer the live rock/sand and a protein skimmers because it just seems to be the best means of removing wastes etc.

ap2honda · 10-04-2007, 05:07 PM

Oh ok so then a skimmer is always the best way to go? and how much bigger of a skimmer are you suppose to get than your tank? i have a 55 so i would need a 100 gallon skimmer?

Geoff · 10-04-2007, 07:40 PM

as big of a skimmer as you can afford. you really can not over skimm a tank. this is especially true if you have sand in the tank.

G~

tims · 10-04-2007, 08:49 PM

and if you get a very good skimmer you will always have it to yoru next tank..

ap2honda · 10-05-2007, 03:35 PM

haha as big as you can afford thats funny. Well thanks for the big help and i think i know what you mean about the live sand tims, im getting like dirty spots on so the skimmer will help stop that?

saltysupply · 10-05-2007, 04:05 PM

I would recommend at least getting a skimmer rated twice the aquariums volume...you can even go bigger if you want cause like they said you cant over skimm....

depitch · 10-05-2007, 05:06 PM

Dirty spots on the sand are propably due to low water flow and increased nitrates that allow algae to grow. A few powerhead pumps like maxi-jet or hydor koralia will help to reduce the spots on your sand.

First get a sump or wet-dry filter and remove the bioballs. Then measure amount of space you have to place a skimmer in that sump/wet-dry. You can also consider skimmer that can be placed outside of tank.

As already mentioned get a skimmer rated for 110 gallons or better.

HTH

Doug

ap2honda · 10-05-2007, 07:48 PM

haha thanks i will see what they have at the stoe and i will come back and post the brands and items.