Swim tank filtration options?

[drmdvl]

Hi there,

New to the community. I had a successful 75gal FOWLR for about 15 years, broke it down 10 years ago when I moved cross country.
I want to set up a 90-120 gal swim only tank but I want to use artificial reef inserts instead of live rock.

It'll have plenty of flow, protein skimmer and a thick sand bed, but no live rock for bio filtration.
I dont really want a sump... what are my choices for bio filtration??
Hang on back equipment is fine.
Thoughts??

thanks for the advice.

 

[jayball]

Hi there,

New to the community. I had a successful 75gal FOWLR for about 15 years, broke it down 10 years ago when I moved cross country.
I want to set up a 90-120 gal swim only tank but I want to use artificial reef inserts instead of live rock.

It'll have plenty of flow, protein skimmer and a thick sand bed, but no live rock for bio filtration.
I dont really want a sump... what are my choices for bio filtration??
Hang on back equipment is fine.
Thoughts??

thanks for the advice.

I suppose everyone's first question will be what is a "swim only" tank?

In any case some of your options would be to use ceramic inserts (lots of surface area), maybe a couple large marinepure blocks behind your artificial stuff.

 

[mcgyvr]

Dang.. You must be a very small person if you can swim in a tank that size..
Post pics/video or it didn't happen

 

[tkeracer619]

Typically a tank like you describe is called a "fish only" or FO.

Look up seachem matrix. It goes a long way in providing surface area for bacteria. Pond matrix is probably a better choice if you are hoping for denitrificaton. Utilize hang on back equipment or even better get an all in one tank that has a sump built into the back.

 

[drmdvl]

LOL - glad everyone has a sense of humor.
FO to be correct is what Im aiming for.
I got really good at maintaining my FOWLR with just LR, sand and skimmer.
But am clueless without LR and it doesnt seem to be a popular thing to do, but Id just like a change with the inserts.
Thanks for the suggestions - Ill look into seachem and pond matrix.

 

[mcgyvr]

Its all about a TON of surface area for bacterial colonization..
very fine sand gives you a TON of surface area but is also prone to being easily blown around with flow.. So there is a balance there..

And porous structures that allow anaerobic areas to develop deep in the rock,etc.. to turn nitrates into nitrogen gas to complete the final step of denitrification.. (exporting that nitrate from the tank)..