17.4 Rimless SPS Tank

[dwref58]

I'm setting up a 17.4 rimless sps only tank & am just going to run a canister filter, I know a sump would be better, but where I'm putting this tank, don't have any extra room. So I bought a Fluval 206 canister.
My question is, do you all think that will be enough for filtering??
I'm just wondering if I may need another canister on it??
Only going to put at the most 3 fish in this tank.
Mainly just for sps corals & well maybe an LPS or two!

Thanks

 

[mark54321]

I think as far as filtration you will be ok. Your main problem will be keeping water parameters stable in such a small tank. I would suggest good ATO and controller to keep temperature constant.

 

[dwref58]

Thanks Mark.
Yea I worry about such a small tank & keeping water parameters. But I know of a couple people that have small tanks, they seem to be doing ok. My LFS has one that is smaller than mine, they told me they just do a water very small water change, every other day & it works out great. That is what I'm planning on doing.
Thanks for your input!!

 

[sponger0]

Canisters would only be trouble IMO especially with SPS.

Your filter should be your rock and sand.

And with a tank this small, I think ATO is necessary.

 

[dwref58]

Thanks for your input Sponger0.
I know they are not the best way to go, but as I said, just don't have the room for a sump.
As for Rock & Sand, going bare bottom with this tank, another LFS runs all his tanks bare bottom & has great success with it, not a fan of bare bottom, but since it is such a small tank, thought I'd try it. Will have plenty of rock through. I think if I keep up the maintenance on the canister, it should work. IMO
Thanks again

 

[joeogio]

what I wouod do with the canister is put only media like Carson and gfo in it and leave everything else out no filter pads floss or cseramics. I ran a couple of tanks with canisters one did well the other not so well, if its a low load and you don't turn it into a nitrate generator by using pads in it you should be good


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[Navyblue]

I would not bother with canister filter and just rely on LR. If I must have mechanical filtration I would do a HOB filter, along with HOB skimmer and refugium. You'll have a nice and neat little package.

 

[Drae]

^^^^ yea I'd do a ac110 with an ac50 pump and put sand and macro in that ( search aquaclear refugium ). Hob aquamaxx skimmer, rk lite, tunze osmo, mp 10 and lighting of choice. Man that sounds like a fun little setup, maybe I'll do a little cube like that. Lol jmo.

 

[malady]

I have the same tank
keep it simple it works well ^_^
do weekly water changes
and run ac50 with some purigen gfo and carbon

 

[cephalotus]

Barebottom
Low biolaod
Decent size water change everyother day
No need for a filter
Highly reccomend ATO

 

[JaYbIrD1969]

Canister filteers and coral do not mix. You might pull off mushrooms, gsp and the like, but no way SPS.

 

[dwref58]

I ran a 75 gallon reef using a canister on both ends, know they will work.
Sounds like most of you all think the one will be enough, I know, some of you all think I shouldn't use one at all, but with water changes every other day & keeping up on cleaning the canister, can't see it not working.
Thanks everyone for the input!!!

 

[dwref58]

I ran a 75 gallon reef using a canister on both ends, know they will work.
Sounds like most of you all think the one will be enough, I know, some of you all think I shouldn't use one at all, but with water changes every other day & keeping up on cleaning the canister, can't see it not working.
Thanks everyone for the input!!!

 

[sponger0]

I ran a 75 gallon reef using a canister on both ends, know they will work.
Sounds like most of you all think the one will be enough, I know, some of you all think I shouldn't use one at all, but with water changes every other day & keeping up on cleaning the canister, can't see it not working.
Thanks everyone for the input!!!

And thats a 75 gallon. Its not a under 15 gallon tank. There is a big difference.

And also, I think you miss the whole point behind it. You can use all kinds of equipment that require alot of maintenance but why cause yourself more work than necessary, especially with a tiny tank. Seems too much work.

And water changes twice a week and dealing with a canister is alot of work.

I have a 14 gallon where I use no filter, no canister no mechanical filtration whatsoever. I do water changes weekly or biweekly and I have SPS growing.

If you wanna constantly clean something, sure get a canister. But its more trouble than its worth.

 

[dwref58]

Good point sponger0.
Nice thing is, I'm retired so a little extra work is not that big of a deal for me.
Plus have this tank sitting on my kitchen table, just not a lot of room there.
I may end up trying it the way you do yours.
Thanks

 

[sponger0]

Good point sponger0.
Nice thing is, I'm retired so a little extra work is not that big of a deal for me.
Plus have this tank sitting on my kitchen table, just not a lot of room there.
I may end up trying it the way you do yours.
Thanks

No problem. Im not retired and work 4 days a week, which isnt bad, but I work 10-12 hrs a day. So I dont have alot of time with my tank on a daily basis between my dog, 2 cats and a house to take care of along with my job.

The only thing I have to compensate for is phosphates which Im using a mesh bag with XtraPhosX and it is reducing my phos from the tank. Other than that and filter floss, my only real filtration is my rock and sand.

 

[dwref58]

Well as I posted, pretty sure only going to do like maybe 3 fish & I'm also going bare bottom, ( First time ) but I know a LFS that only does bare bottom & he grows really nice corals. But back to what you said about Phos, don't think I'll have to deal with it much, with only 3 small fish. I have a 210 reef & a 120 gallon reef, they are fully stocked tanks, a lot of fish & soft corals. So this is my first time with SPS corals, I know I have a lot to learn. But by stayin small it should be a lot easier.
Thanks

 

[sponger0]

Actually by doing a small SPS, it will be more difficult than a large one.

With a tank this size, I wouldnt go higher than 2 fish.

Phosphates along with water parameters are going to be your biggest battle with a tank this small. If you dont think so, take this for example. Im running a biocube 14. With a pair of clowns. Thats it. In 2 weeks my phosphates, with weekly 5 gallon water changes went from 0 to .22. So if you dont think phosphates will be a problem, you may need to rethink that. They are going to need to be between .04-.06. And you are probably not going to run a skimmer so all that stuff is gonna sit in the tank. The fish and feeding them alone is going to produce phosphate quicker than you think.

And a canister is only going to add to those numbers.

 

[dwref58]

Well that sure is interesting, only 2 fish. HUMM.
Well maybe I will look into a skimmer then. Not that I'm going to fill it up with fish, but was still thinking 3. But I guess a pair of nice clowns would be enough. I also am going to put a vortex MP10 on it, to help keep the bottom stirred up. Once again,
Thanks for your input!!!

 

[sponger0]

In small tanks without a skimmer or sump, its real easy to get phosphates up quickly. Im getting mine dropped slowly. Its was at .20 and three days later got it down to .17.

If you were doing LPS and softies, it wouldnt be that much of a concern, but you said you wanna try SPS, which makes keeping phos low much more important