Filtration ideas

[blam718]

I am very new to the hobby (salt) and moved from fresh water tanks. When I made my decision to go salt, I got an Ocean Revive T247, Koralia Nano 240, 15 lbs of live rock, live sand, and a canister Pennplex 700 gph (rated for 65 gallons) on a 20 gallon tank. I made the noob mistake of adding too many things at once and lost 3 clowns and 1 angel fish. My tank is about 10 days running, all I have left is a fire shrimp, a sand sifting star fish and some black and white fish who apparently survived a heavy nitrogen cycle spike. I did a 50% water change and everything is back to normal.

Anyways, I have been reading how canister filters (which have worked wonders in my fresh water tank) may not be the most optimal source of filtration for salt/reef tanks. I have two pieces of coral but I have no idea what kind they are, but was advised by LFS that they are beginner corals. After doing a bit of research I am starting to think I should not of dropped $75 on a canister filter and should of invested in some sort of sump filter.

I was thinking about making a 10 gallon sump filter but do not have a pre-drilled tank and am confused on how this all works. Do you use PVC for intake and return? How does an overflow box work, and would that be the best option for a tank that is not drilled?

Also, in my canister I have ceramic bio rings, purigen is on its way from amazon and some filter floss and bio-sponge. Any suggestions on using this canister or building a 10 gallon sump that I may be able to fit under my stand? I want the best filtration I can get but am extremely noob to salt and don't know a thing about building my own filter. Any suggestions would be great!

 

[TauntingBeef]

right now my only filter is good water flow from my powerheads and my rock and sand until I get my sump 100% than I will be using a CPR hang on back overflow. you tube the HoB overflows for nodrilled tanks

 

[madweazl]

To get water to the a sump on an undrilled tank, you can use what is referred to as a HOB (hang on back) overflow box. Sumps can be made from smaller aquariums pretty easily with pieces of glass cut at a shop and siliconed in place by the user. The practicality in this on such a small take may not even be worth the effort (isnt in my opinion). Using something like an Aquaclear HOB filter, you can build a refugium in it instead.

You mentioned there are some other critters in the tank already; the black and white fish are probably damsels. They're tough and will probably live through the remainder of the tank cycle but it will be harsh on them. If you havent already, grab some type of kickstart bacteria like Instant Ocean's Bio-spira. Best bet would be to remove them but you have quite a few things in there already and this may not be practical. You have your work cut out for you right now. If ammonia and nitrite levels are present, you'll have to continue with water changes to keep things alive (again, best to remove the living things but that is a decision you're going to have to make).

 

[blam718]

I have a spare HOB Marineland 150 Penguin; could I use that for a refugium?