Filtration for my NEW 240 Gallon

[goldmullet]

Hey guys. Check out my new 240 gallon setup. I am going fish only.

What you think of my tank?

Also, what you think about filtration?

 

[coaltrain]

Well on a fish only just go with a wet/dry. All you have to do is wash out the filter pads and change every so often.

 

[viggen]

yea... I 2nd the wet/dry comment, been using that mething for almost 20yrs now with great results.

 

[TheFishTeen]

Well on a fish only just go with a wet/dry. All you have to do is wash out the filter pads and change every so often.

Yes, a wet/dry for the sump portion but as for nutrient export, a protein skimmer must be used. Even in a Fish-Only system, a skimmer is highly recommended.

 

[goldmullet]

So would it be better to go wet/dry instead of filling my whole 6 foot sump with live rock?I was planning on just using all live rock and a skimmer and maybe a UV sterilizer?

I have heard that bio balls become annoying and harmful after a while?

 

[GSMguy]

Big skimmer and live rock or Siporax in the sump would be better than a wet dry.

 

[goldmullet]

Ya live rock is the way to go correct?

Do you ever have to clean live rock in the sump?

 

[allsps40]

I agree on using a wet dry with life rock rubble and filter pads. Of coarse a good skimmer is a must for any marine tank. A fuge would also be a nice addition to the filtration, fish only tanks generally build up higher no3 than a reef tank so a fuge will help lower no3 levels.

 

[TheFishTeen]

Live rock is not needed in a FO (Fish Only) system, and can introduce potential hitchhiker problems, but If properly cured and treated for unwanted hitchhikers, live rock could help with biological filtration, completely bypassing the need for Bio Balls or Bio media.

 

[goldmullet]

What do you mean by Hitchhiker problems?

I have heard that over time bio/balls turn into nitrate factories, correct?

Whereas live rock does not.

And why would I not need live rock in a fish only?

 

[TheFishTeen]

What do you mean by Hitchhiker problems?

Potentially problematic hitchhikers are:

Predatory Shrimp
Predatory Crabs
Predatory/Coral Eating Snails
Worms
Anemones
Starfish
Unwanted Coral
and Algae.

I have heard that over time bio/balls turn into nitrate factories, correct?

Whereas live rock does not.

And why would I not need live rock in a fish only?

Bio Balls only become nitrate 'factories' in reef systems. It would work completely fine in a FO system, even long term.

 

[goldmullet]

What do you mean by Hitchhiker problems?

I have heard that over time bio/balls turn into nitrate factories, correct?

Whereas live rock does not.

And why would I not need live rock in a fish only?

 

[goldmullet]

Oh really. Bio balls are only bad in reef huh?

Why not in fish only?

 

[TheFishTeen]

Oh really. Bio balls are only bad in reef huh?

Why not in fish only?

All your questions where already answered to you in your other thread about Bio Balls!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2066745