Hi all! I'm new to the world of saltwater aquariums and could use some advice on filtration. I have a 55 gallon tank and will have 60 lbs live rock and 50 or so lbs sand. I've decided to purchase a Remora protein skimmer and want to know what the best option is for additional mechanical filtration. Canisters? Hang on back power filter? For either of these do you only run the carbon periodically, or ever? I don't have room for a sump or a fuge, so what would the best route be? My long term goal is to have a nice reef tank w/ a few fish. Thanks!
New to SW...Your help por favor!
- Thread starter padros4
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Brandon's Reef
New member
I like only using protein skimmers your on the right track. my fav. isnt remoras but it will do you fine. I only run carbon when my tank gets a little bit of a yellow tinge to it and I dont run a canister filter regularly they are too much of a hassel. good luck with whatever you decide
Russian123
Member
[welcome] Dont use a skimmer my tank to small but wanted to welcome you here anyways so.....WELCOME! 
Thanks for the welcome!
Any thoughts/experience w/ protein skimmers and which might be best for a 55 gallon?
So I basically don't really need any extra filtration if I have live rock and a protein skimmer? Would it be worth it to get a HOB power filter to run carbon every once and awhile to polish off the water?
Any thoughts/experience w/ protein skimmers and which might be best for a 55 gallon?
So I basically don't really need any extra filtration if I have live rock and a protein skimmer? Would it be worth it to get a HOB power filter to run carbon every once and awhile to polish off the water?
Dan Thrash
New member
well, i think a sump and fuge would be ideal, but since you say you dont have room...a hang on protein skimmer like a remora would help. you can get by with just the biological filtration from the live rock, but i'd recommend the skimmer. also, you can get a hang on the back fuge. just fill it with some sand, a bit of rock and some macro algae to remove nutrients. also, since you dont have a sump, a HOB filter with carbon like you asked about would help once in a while.
supertech3
New member
IMO I would not put another filter, Like dan thrash said about the HOB fuge I have one and they are great you can put macro algae in there that fish will not be able to get at and eat. I have a canister filter but I would not suggest anyone get one(nitrate magnet) since mine is empty now and is only used for flow to my chiller
