What are the most important factors for clear water in a fish-only saltwater tank?

[MarineOne]

Hi:

I was wondering - what are the most important factors for clear water in a very large fish-only (no live-rock) saltwater tank?

A large enough protein skimmer and a large enough UV sterilizer?

:reading:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If absolutely the clearest possible water is needed, I'd suggest adding a particulate filter of some sort, and ozone (or a lot of GAC, but ozone is often more effective) to keep the water from being yellow.

 

[jarrodsanborn]

+1 to randys comments.

Look into fluidized sand filters like they use on pools. You have to clean/replace sand occasionally, but work well for huge setups. Easy diy is possible too.

Dont forget, carbon works pretty darn good and is stupid proof.

 

[spollock818]

I guess it would depend on what type of set up you have. Is there a sump? If so then there should be no reason not to have a skimmer. My skimmer pulls out a ton of yuck. I used to also run a UV and it did clear up my water alot.

So I would go with;


1. GAC
2. Skimmer
3. UV
4. Mechanical filteration