Filtration options

[Brownbear88]

I currently have a 36 gallon bow front with about 50lbs of live rock. I use a fluvial 305 canister filter for it and am looking at my options to replace this. I do not have much room underneath, however do have some room on the back side of the tank where on one side i have my reef octopus 100 protein skimmer. Question is if i disconnected the Canister, what kind of HOB options would you guys recommend for filtration? A HOB bio pellet reactor? HOB refugium/sump? any information would be great! Tank is about 3 1/2 years old pretty well stocked with fish, corals, and inverts.

[Brownbear88]

bump

[Mike]

Why are you getting rid of the canister filter, just curious. Could just use as a mechanical filter and media reactor. Out of the above options, I would think a hob fuge would be good. Gravity fed, it would help with pods in the tank.

[Brownbear88]

I want to get rid of the canister because I'm trying to get my nitrate levels under control. I have a bad algae problem and need to do something that might help, along with manually pulling it out to release the phosphate, I really don't think I have another option. When I stated this hobby the ppl at the local fish store told me canisters were great. After 3 years and a lot of reading I'm not so sure that wAs correct lol.

[alton]

What is your water change regiment? With smaller tanks 5 gallons a week normally keeps everything in check. A HOB refugium would help with phosphates, but I would not get rid of the canister until everything is stable with what ever changes you make.

[Brownbear88]

Every week 5 gallons, thanks for the info

[jason081180]

i ran a 90 gallon and currently running a 37 gallon with only a protein skimmer and water changes about once a month maybe less often. I always have 0 nitrates. yes canister filters are not so good for saltwater tanks. i wouldn't really recommend any mechanical filter in saltwater tanks. all i do is have a Koralia for water movement (about 10X turnover) and an over-sized skimmer. Have your clean up crew take care of everything else. If you have a mechanical filter it just traps the stuff in the water column where it decays and produces nitrates. If you skim it out instead it can't do this because now its not in the water anymore.

[jcnkt_ellis]

+1 about removing the canister filter. I am currently running a zero fish system and am doing only weekly to biweekly water changes to export nutrients. If you have a small bioload this could be an option. If you have a medium to heavy bioload, look into getting a hang on back skimmer in addition to the water changes.

[Brownbear88]

Hmmm haven't even considered turning off the canister, ya I have a
Reef octopus 100 with auto top off rated for a 75 gal on my 36. I'm going today to get another power head to help with circulation and also today rearranged some rocks for better flow. I think I when I do the next wc I'll take the canister off line for awhile to see what happens. Any suggestions on the size of cuc I should get? Corals are frogspawn some Kenya trees zoos and a toadstool along with xiena. Also have a rbta

[jason081180]

I would go with a Koralia 425 (http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Submersible-Water-Pumps/I/Koralia-Evolution-Pumps.aspx). I have the same in my 37 Gallon now and it's working great. Its' the smaller size one so in a smaller tank it doesnt look huge, and Koralia's have a magnet to hold it in place not the suction cup. The suction cup ones always fell off for me and them you are blasting your coral or sand and makes a huge mess. Very energy efficient and completely silent. Can't beat 3.5 watts.

[Brownbear88]

Went today and got a ecotech vortex mp 10. Lol expensive but my birthdays on the 8th so early present :). Seems to be working good, my nem needs to adjust to the flow but hopefully this helps. Friday I'm going to go grab se cempure and filter floss and take out the last chambers foam and put rubble in the canister to help as well. Hopefully until I can get a reactor this will improve water conditions