55g with built in filtration vs external

[DCFix]

Hi everyone.

I finally joined after reading around for months. Hopefully I can finally get my own blooming reef!

I recently acquired 2 55g TruVu tanks, one with a built-in wet/dry filter in the back, and another with Mighty Max hang on the back wet/dry filters. I was wondering which was better.

I guess to give more details about what I hope to achieve, I want a mostly coral tank with a few fish for balancing out. The lighting will also depend on the corals, but I can get the lighting system after I let the sand and water cycle.

The whole reason I have difficulty choosing between the two types of tanks is that if bioballs are bad, then I would hope that the tank with the built-in filter will still be a good filter, just with filter pads and media. If I use this set up, would i still need a sump? If I still need a sump, then I might as well go with the tank without the built-in filter since it has more "real estate."

Thanks in advance

DC

 

[bertoni]

I would go with the tank that doesn't have the built-in filter. You might want a sump in either case, and the filter pads and most media are just as bad as the bio-balls. Carbon is fine in a hang-on filter, and so are some other special purpose media like phosphate absorbers, but I would avoid most other filtration.

 

[PatMayo]

I agree with bertoni, you can use filter pads etc, it will work, but it takes diligence and raises the cost of the tank. I use filter pads in my filters, you can see my sig, I have zero nitrates but I change the filters out weekly. It's more maintenance and work but you can do it. If you feed lightly and have enough live rock you really don't need a filter.

Like bertoni says, a sump would make your job easier and give you more chances of success.

Regards,

Pat

 

[DCFix]

Thanks for the help guys!

So if I don't use filter pads or media, the live rock is all that's necessary?
I was looking at sumps and I can get the Tidepool2 at a good price. It says for 80g, but will this be safe for a 55g tank as long as the pump isn't working too fast?

Or I found a Del Rey 125, but this has bioball chamber in it as well.

 

[bertoni]

The live rock and a protein skimmer should do the job. Some activated carbon can be useful, too, and a refugium (macroalgae area) can also do a lot of filtration.

That sump seems reasonable, although I would remove the bio-wheel and the filter pads. The trays might be useful, though. Making your own sump would be a lot cheaper, though. You'd want to start with a 20g aquarium and add a few baffles. Up to you, though.

 

[maloga3]

A sump is the way to go, but I agree with bertoni, it seems like an easy project for DIY...I might do one as well- you've all inspired me!!

 

[phil519]

dcfix

[welcome]

My only note on a 55 - depending on the dimensions - you may find the tank to quickly grow too small for your reef. What are the dimensions of your 55s?

 

[DCFix]

Both 55s are 4ft wide, about a foot deep, maybe a foot and half high. I decided to go with the tank with the built in overflow to filtration, but I plan to just use the overflow portion and drain into a sump. The filter space does take up some valuable coral real estate though.
The sump I plan to built will house the skimmer, some LR, and micro algae in separate chambers.

I realize that this is addicting and I will want a bigger tank way down the road, so when that happens, this will probably end up being a spare tank.

 

[phil519]

yep - you'll quickly find that the pieces of live rock are more difficult to scape with a tank only a foot deep. It's do-able but you can't do much other than the standard "fruit-stand" look. Good luck!