filtration question

[LauraCline]

Hey Everybody, I got a great deal on a used 45 gallon tank, stand, hood, and fluval 303 canister filter that needs a new 0-ring. I think I'm going to use this tank as a FOWLR in our bedroom and the bio-load will be low. I don't think I'm going to use the canister filter. I don't really want to do an overflow because of the possibility of flooding so, I'm wondering if I could get by with an emperor 400 power filter and go skimmerless as long as I keep up with my water changes. I guess I could always add a skimmer later if needed Here's a link to the filter ....

http://www.thatpetplace.com/Product...ters/T1/F28+0221+0192/EDP/11638/Itemdy00.aspx

Thanks in advance for any opinions or ideas.

 

[druce]

you could do a closed loop

here's a good page on it

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

 

[LauraCline]

Thanks for the response Druce, I'm not sure about that, I'm a newbie and not proficient with plumbing - it looks kind of complicated. My 150 is going to be an all out set-up, it's drilled and will have an in sump skimmer, etc.. I really want the smaller one as a less complicated set-up so I can have something while the 150 is coming together (more experienced reefers are helping me w/ 150). My other concern is that this tank will be in my bedroom on carpet so one of my main concerns is keeping the floor dry.

 

[druce]

i hear you there on the dry floor

so you want to go sumpless... I guess weekly water changes, good amount of Live rock, maybe a DSB and you should be good...

anyone else out there have any ideas?

 

[LauraCline]

I definately want to go sumpless on this tank and keeping the floor dry is a must. I can also plant some macroalgae in the tank if it will help. I know I will have to be diligent w/ water changes if this will work. I guess I could always be the guinea pig, lol.

 

[drummereef]

You could also do the Aquaclear HOB fuge for the macro. I'd do chaeto if you did it. Here's a few links.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hagenrefugart.htm

http://iowaaquaria.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=36706&sid=7a2ae4367208681bad067ddf6477ab2e

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=679159

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=601201&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[LauraCline]

Thanks for the links Drummer, would you suggest the HOB fuge instead of the emperor or along with it?

 

[druce]

ooh HOB fuge is a good idea, didn't even think of it

 

[T-T-Trigger]

An emperor 400 with a little bit of live rock/good strong circulation, is all you need. You may not even need the emperor if your bio-load will be low like you said. Also the nice part about FO tanks is you don't have to worry about macro choking out your corals. So grow it in your main tank - it can look nice when attended to.



you never mentioned the fish you would be keeping, but that is very important to know - helps get beyond making random, generalized suggestions.

cheers, good luck with it.

 

[LauraCline]

T-T-Trigger, so do you think the emperor would work without a skimmer for a while or would I be better of skipping the emperor and just getting a skimmer? I'm thinking about just a few really small fish such ocellaris, strawberry psuedochromis, firefish, or neon goby and possibly a fire shrimp. I also thought of possibly a Toby puffer but, if I do that, he'll be the only inhabitant and I'll skip the shrimp. No triggers, tangs, wrasse, etc. I do plan to have LR and I would like some macro in the tank. I like the way it looks as long as it isn't allowed to overgrow. I want to go as budget as possible on this tank because as I said, I'm going all out on the 150. I just want the smaller tank to mess with in the meantime I guess. If I absolutely have to have a skimmer, I may just bite the bullet and get it drilled. Those u-tube type overflows with the siphon scare me. Thanks again for the help you guys.

 

[T-T-Trigger]

i guess i thought you had an emperor lying around or something. if you have to buy something new - and don't have a sump - the CSS 65, or whatever the small coralife skimmer's number is, should work in conjunction with the live rock for what you want to do at a small price (I've seen them new for 75). then later if you want to put corals in the tank you'd already have a skimmer to start with.

the key will be having the LR - it will be your workhorse, if you have very little go for the power filter, if you have a decent amount go for the skimmer and you'll be further ahead of the game. I was just trying to point out that just because it is saltwater doesn't make a skimmer necessary.

gl,
chris

 

[LauraCline]

Thanks Chris, that helps me out tremendously.