Filter advice

[dawnpar]

I need a new filter. I went with an over the back filter and we hate it. Too noisy!! I have a 20 gal tank and would love some recommendations for the best filter which is also quiet. Thanks so much!

 

[scooter31707]

If not using a sump, I would suggest a Fluval canister filter. With a canister filter, you need to make sure you clean it on a regular basis, as it can be known as a nirate factory if not properly clean and maintained.

 

[rsain]

Filter advice

Can you describe your tank in more detail?

How much love rock? Reef or FOWLR (fish only with live rock)? Skimmer?

You will find upon reading many sources that filters can really be a nuisance and not helpful.

Take a look at the sticky called SETTING UP and see what it says about filtration.

There is also a thread the other day about new tank info - has a nice summary.

Edit link:
Since we have so many new tanks this week---some advice.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2547716

- ryan

 

[3dees]

with enough live rock and good flow you don't need any other filter. a skimmer would be nice.

 

[dawnpar]

Can you describe your tank in more detail?

How much love rock? Reef or FOWLR (fish only with live rock)? Skimmer?

You will find upon reading many sources that filters can really be a nuisance and not helpful.

Take a look at the sticky called SETTING UP and see what it says about filtration.

There is also a thread the other day about new tank info - has a nice summary.

Edit link:
Since we have so many new tanks this week---some advice.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2547716

- ryan

Thanks!! 20 gallon, fish only, no skimmer, I have about 20 or so pounds of live rock.

 

[rsain]

Others smarter than I will surely reply. But, like already mentioned, I would drop the filter and switch to a skimmer. Make sure you have some good water movement into the rock (your real filter) with a power head or 2.

Drawback is the noise. Which was your initial concern. For that, I cannot help.

-ryan

 

[A1t2o]

20 pounds of LR in a 20 gallon tank is fine for a fish only. Just make sure you have good flow and it will be fine. You also shouldn't need a skimmer on that sized tank. That should cut down on the noise. I never did like hob or canister filters since they only do part of the biological filtration job, LR will also convert nitrates to N2 gas. That's why those filters are nitrate factories.

 

[CStrickland]

+1
You don't need to worry about keeping nutrients tightly controlled in a fowlr, just low enough that you don't have algae probs. Not over feeding, good husbandry, and appropriate stocking are often sufficient.

 

[potxoli]

I am running a mame skimmer in my 20 gallon long. it is completely silent other than the noise of the airpump which is very low. My tank is only 2 months old with 2 small fish and I feed sparingly, but it still managed to remove a couple inches of dark sludge from the tank in the past two weeks. I am happy with the product:

http://saltwater-conversion.com/products/mame-skimmer

 

[Irishman360]

Go with HOB skimmer.