Long term plan

[ekbds123]

What I want do do is start a classroom tank (teach some science for a year) I have a 50 gal tank, heater, 2 power heads, an automated feeder for weekends, 75lbs of base rock and plan on adding 25 lbs of live rock, & live sand.

Ultimately I want to start a long term plan to create a 150-190 gal home system. Can I run a very low bio load tank with a canister filter for a year in order to later turn the 50 into the sump of the larger tank? I want mature rock and some experience here! Larger tanks are out do to cost and floor strength of my modular classroom.

If so what is the best canister magnum 350, fluval 306 or other?

Lighting would probably be some of the cheaper led strips (marine land), later to become sump light.

I don't plan on corals yet, maybe 3-4 small fish.

All comments are appreciated.

 

[mbingha]

Sounds like a good plan to me... sounds like more rock than you'll need, but that's better than not enough ;-). Also, as long as it's cleaned regularly, a canister filter will work just fine. If it isn't cleaned at least weekly though, it becomes a place for detritus to build up. Wish I had a teacher cool enough to do this back when I was in school! Good luck!

 

[Addicted2coral1]

awesome me too.. i wish i would have had such a great teacher..

however.. i would go without the canister... i had two tanks before with only a hob skimmer.. no filters... they worked out great..

canisters become a problem too fast..

 

[ekbds123]

So an HOB skimmer is enough filtration....which one?

 

[crn005]

Yeah I made the mistake of investing in a canister when I first started into marine tanks. That money will be much better spent on a skimmer. The AquaC Remora is one of the more acclaimed, tried and true HOB skimmers.

 

[epsaxon]

Nothing wrong with your plan. With such a small bio load FOWLR a HOB skimmer would probably be sufficient. I have used the E-shops PSK-100 and the RO BH-90. Either one of those would work for you and are usually cheaper and quieter than the Remora C. The downside of the HOB skimmers is they will be too small later when you setup the larger tank.

My advice would to get HOB power filter that allows for addition of filter media. ML penguin 350 or emperor 400, fluval c4 or aqua clear will all do that and are suitable for you tank size. These power filters will allow carbon to be used to keep that water looking crystal clear for your students to admire. You can allows add a skimmer later if you increase the bio load with the addition of corals, fish or inverts.

Adding a small CUC will not only help control waste, it gives some interesting critters for the kids to watch.

 

[Palting]

As has already been stated, you do not need a cannister filter. You have rocks, sand, and powerheads to move the water thought the rocks. Rather than a cannister filter, I suggest getting a HOB skimmer. It better complements what is essentially a "Berlin" style of biofiltration.

As to which skimmer, the most popular brands here at RC are the Reef Octopus brand. I do believe they make HOB versions.

If you feel you "must" have a cannister filter, I've had good luck with Fluval series. I've used the Fluval 405, but the 306 may be more appropriate for your 50 gallon system.

 

[TimeConsumer]

Good advice above so far about canisters and skimmers.

Have you thought about a quarantine tank and an RO/DI system?

 

[Addicted2coral1]

The only hob skimmer I had that as worth a fart was the reef octopus line of skimmers. I had the bh 1000 on a 55. Worked great.

 

[ekbds123]

Trying not to buy stuff that can't be used for the larger tank down the road! Canister I thought could be used as a media chamber alongside sump. Hob skimmer seems like a poor fit later on.

Digging through my stuff and found a undrilled 15 gal long and a pan world 100px-x external pump. A sump system maybe? If so I would upsize to my future 200 gal ish skimmer.

Concerns:
Pump is way to powerful for a 55 w/15 sump system

Trying to drill a 15 gal petco tank to accommodate external pump

 

[ekbds123]

RO/DI, have one installed at kitchen sink already

Quarantine, have a 10 & 15 gal with some basic equip like power heads and heaters lying around.

 

[ekbds123]

Thinking a lot....obviously an OCD persons hobby!!

The fear of failing overflows & pumps on the weekends is enough to keep you up at night!

Going to K.I.S.S. and go 55 fowlr, emperor 400, 75-100 lbs of rock & add a HOB reef octo skimmer down the road.

&

15 gal always running Q tank

 

[nbgen12]

If it is only fish, you can easily run the tank with nothing other than sand, live rock, cheap lights and a couple powerheads. Im not even using a skimmer on my 75g reef and it is doing great. All it takes to get rid of bad nutrients is a regular water change schedule....