Filtration for a new tank

[Jetdrvr]

We are setting up a seahore tank and were wondering what filtration people are having the best results with.
The tank will be a 40 gal high with about 30lbs of liverock. I was thinking of going with either a Aqua C Remora skimmer or a CPR backpack filter. Would we also need to add a mechanical filter on the back, and Emperor or something? Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[LisaD]

I use both BakPaks and Remora Pro. For your tank, I'd think the BakPak (single or double) would be sufficient. Or the regular Remora, rather than the Remora Pro. An Emperor filter would be fine - good for surface circulation, even if you don't run chemical media. I would invest in more live rock for your tank, at least another 10-30 lbs.

I have a 55 I'm really happy with, as far as set-up. It does not have seahorses in it now, but has a pretty high bioload, with some hardy corals. I have:

~65-75 lbs live rock
shallow sand bed (1-2")
BakPak protein skimmer
Aquafuge refugium filled with chaeto and lit 24/7
Power filter (one of the new Tetras, but I used to have an Emperor until it died)
4 x 65-watt PC lights (actinic/full spectrum)

This set-up provides decent water flow and filtration but not too much for seahorses. The equipment has kept the tank very stable, low maintenance and has kept water quality decent...