Particulate Filtration in a Berlin ?

[wsboyette]

In preparation for a 45 gal. Berlin setup, I have a 300+ GPM sump system that uses an overflow and of course a particulate filtration sponge therein. I will be keeping a Mandarin & corals, so will have copepods and phytoplankton in the tank. I would like to ensure crystal-clear water. and am wondering if it would be necessary or feasible to use a high-capacity hang-on motor filter in addition to my under-the-tank stuff ?

(with frequent cleaning of media to avoid nitrosomas growth, of course)

 

[sl-atl]

I'm not sure what the answer is. If you have too much filtration, you will of course filter out the plankton including the young copepods. Dropping a filter bag of carbon in your sump would help keep the water itself clear... A friend of mine keeps his water very clear simply by siphoning out any kind of debris that could get kicked up and end up in the water column, and only has filter floss on his sump return. I don't have that kind of patience.

 

[Playa-1]

I would suggest planning to get rid of the sponge filter and any bioballs that may also be in the sump system. I would add a filter sock inline and have some extra filter socks handy. This should give you plenty of particulate filtration. The filter socks will need to be cleaned every few days. As far as particulate filtration goes, I would start with the filter socks and see if that's getting the job done and then go from there. I would also plan to have the tank up and established for at least 6 months before adding a mandarin to the tank.

 

[wsboyette]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13306079#post13306079 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Playa-1
I would suggest planning to get rid of the sponge filter and any bioballs that may also be in the sump system. I would add a filter sock inline and have some extra filter socks handy. This should give you plenty of particulate filtration. The filter socks will need to be cleaned every few days. As far as particulate filtration goes, I would start with the filter socks and see if that's getting the job done and then go from there. I would also plan to have the tank up and established for at least 6 months before adding a mandarin to the tank.

Ditto on the mandarin; that sounds prudent. No bioballs in my system, just the prefilter element in the overflow is all I have that can become biological. I think I'll just use my hang-on motor filter during startup only, to initially establish clear water. I will certainly try the filter sock afterward.