Newbie Filtration question

[5858Vince]

I'm just getting set up. I have a 40 gallon tank and I'm trying to decide on Filtration. What are the pros and cons of cannister filters vs hob filters. It seems like cannister filters are a little more robust but I'm not sure. Is it just a matter of preference or is one better than the other. I should mention that I'm planning on a fish only no live rock tank.

 

[AboutAcans]

I hate canister filters. Just a personal preference. HOB refugiums are the way to go if you can't fit one under your tank. Never understood why someone would want what's basically a trash can with their tank water flowing through it.

 

[heathlindner25]

I wouldn't use either one, I would use a HOB skimmer

 

[sde1500]

Second the HOB skimmer. A filter is ok on a nano tank but for 40 gallons I'd do a skimmer.

 

[Betaktical]

What about for a 55 gallon would just an hob skimmer work? I've got a canister filter now and was thinking about just turning it into a reactor for carbon with some live rock rubble.


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[Betaktical]

I hate canister filters. Just a personal preference. HOB refugiums are the way to go if you can't fit one under your tank. Never understood why someone would want what's basically a trash can with their tank water flowing through it.

What would u put in hob fuge? Do they work good? How big would I need for a 55 gallon?


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[texdoc77]

What about for a 55 gallon would just an hob skimmer work? I've got a canister filter now and was thinking about just turning it into a reactor for carbon with some live rock rubble.


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I converted a freshwater set up and had an in tank skimmer from Hydor and used my canister filter for carbon, GFO and filter floss. Not many on RC like using a canister filter, but I had no room for a sump and my set up worked pretty well for my 55 gallon. I cleaned the canister about once monthly and this kept my nitrates pretty low. I did not overstock and did not overfeed.

When I upgraded I went with a reef ready tank, sump and in sump skimmer. Better all the way around. But we all do what we can with what we have and you can definitely use a canister and in tank skimmer, or HOB skimmer if that is what you have for now.

 

[Betaktical]

I converted a freshwater set up and had an in tank skimmer from Hydor and used my canister filter for carbon, GFO and filter floss. Not many on RC like using a canister filter, but I had no room for a sump and my set up worked pretty well for my 55 gallon. I cleaned the canister about once monthly and this kept my nitrates pretty low. I did not overstock and did not overfeed.



When I upgraded I went with a reef ready tank, sump and in sump skimmer. Better all the way around. But we all do what we can with what we have and you can definitely use a canister and in tank skimmer, or HOB skimmer if that is what you have for now.

What is low nitrate for fowlr tanks? Mine stay at about 20 with 10% weekly wc, hob skimmer, and a canister filter with carbon and bio sponges. I can't really seem to get them below that but they don't really rise above that either


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[texdoc77]

What is low nitrate for fowlr tanks? Mine stay at about 20 with 10% weekly wc, hob skimmer, and a canister filter with carbon and bio sponges. I can't really seem to get them below that but they don't really rise above that either


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Around 10 with a spike here and there. I did have some LPS and softies that actually did pretty well. Not super growth, but definitely good color. I mean my kenya tree fragged itself all over the place but you'd basically have to throw it into a vat of oil to kill that coral.

How do you test? The API kits are common when cycling, but for actually testing nitrates and phosphates I would use something like a Red Sea or Salifert...

 

[Betaktical]

Yeah I've got api lol I keep hearing about salifert so I will give them a try and see if there is a difference.


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[mcgyvr]

What is low nitrate for fowlr tanks? Mine stay at about 20 with 10% weekly wc, hob skimmer, and a canister filter with carbon and bio sponges. I can't really seem to get them below that but they don't really rise above that either

Fish only tanks can easily run with nitrate levels far higher than ones with corals..
A nitrate reading of 80 wouldn't bother me at all with a fish only tank..

20 is MORE than sufficient..

 

[Betaktical]

Fish only tanks can easily run with nitrate levels far higher than ones with corals..

A nitrate reading of 80 wouldn't bother me at all with a fish only tank..



20 is MORE than sufficient..

Yeah I've heard that too. I just don't wanna let them get out of control in the hopes that I will be able to have a little bit of coral someday


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[AboutAcans]

What would u put in hob fuge? Do they work good? How big would I need for a 55 gallon?


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Chaeto. I just like the idea on such a small tank because given the proper lighting the macro can suck up a MASSIVE amount of harmful stuff.

And I thought the skimmer was just implied lol But either a skimmer/fuge combo or a separate HOB from the fuge.

 

[Betaktical]

Chaeto. I just like the idea on such a small tank because given the proper lighting the macro can suck up a MASSIVE amount of harmful stuff.



And I thought the skimmer was just implied lol But either a skimmer/fuge combo or a separate HOB from the fuge.

Well I've got an hob skimmer now and it's works really well. I had no idea about a hob fuge and when I looked it up they all looked kinda small. Almost like I couldn't fit but a lb or 2 of live rock so idk how efficient it would be. Def not a skimmer


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[AboutAcans]

If you pack it down with algae that's still a great form of biological filtration. Take my 22 gl for example. I have maybe a 1.5 liter, well, thing, hanging on the back with chaeto in it. Sucks up all kinds of nutrients because it keeps growing. Never really known a time when macro can hurt.

 

[5858Vince]

Thanks for all the comments, I appreciate it.