210 gallon tank filtration?

[winditup57]

Hello, I would like to begin by saying thanks for all the info I have learned from reading different threads..That being said...
I am looking to start up a 210 gallon FOWLR tank and I was wondering what I need to do as far as filtration in this tank along with turnover rates and pumps and whatnot. I currently have a 75 gallon reef tank that is doing great. It has the LFS suggested wet/dry filter on it. The more I read on here...it sounds as if most people arent doing that. The local boys want me to spend 800 bucks on a "custom filter"..does that sound right?

 

[robchuck]

Your best bet for filtration in that tank would be 200 lbs. of live rock (much better than any wet/dry) and an appropriately sized protein skimmer (Euro Reefs are great, but a large Beckett skimmer would be even better; but that's a whole 'nother conversation).
For circulation, shoot for 10x's to 20x's per hour, with 5-7x's of that total going through a sump, and the rest created by powerheads or a closed loop.
Feel free to ask away with any questions you may have. LFSes have their financial interests in mind when giving you advice and the folks around here have lots of experience and no financial gains to make by giving out advice. By the way, welcome to the boards!

 

[streetdoc]

Hey Wind it...might not need to get as close to the 20x as 10x being as you are setting up a FOWLR but I love the look of LR and more is better to a point. Circulation is definately important though and the more rock you have, the more you are going to slow it down.

 

[winditup57]

what would be a sump set up for this tank..I had already planned on at least 150 lbs of live rock so another 50 or so wouldnt kill me...plus I was gonna use live sand for the bed...about 2 inches or so...oh and thanks for the info

 

[shoogieboo]

can anyone tell me what is the diff between a drilled tank and a reg one and which way is the better way to go for fowlr 100g thanks

 

[acrylic51]

Hey Shoogieboo!!!!! You kind of answered your own question to a point. A standard tank is just that not drilled... Sorry, but a drilled or RR(reef ready) is drilled and can be drilled multiple ways depending on what you really want. You could have the bottom drilled and the bulkheads enclosed in overflow boxes. I think the new Perfectos have the bulkheads drilled and no box around them.... or you could just have bulkhead drilled in the back glass panel if you'd like.... With more custom tank work you can have your overflow placed where ever you would like. I prefer them in the center but traditionally it's in the corners....
IMHO I would say RR or drilled tanks are easier to work with. Both are workable, but having it already drilled makes plumbing a whole lot easier... HTH

 

[shoogieboo]

so i would still need my wet/dry? the only diff is it runs from the bottom of the tank? and i'm really not looking to go reef would i still need a rr tank?

 

[acrylic51]

You don't need to go RR but sure makes it easier and trust me somewhere down the road.... probably by mid year you'll be ready to switch over trust me and go RR. A little extra cash up front, but when and if you do switch over the tank is ready. Even if you don't go reef I would still check out alternative filtration systems.....
The RR systems are more reliable IMO than using U tubes or overflow boxes like CPR. JMHO

 

[shoogieboo]

okay so then where would i find them and what about a skimmer i just saw on ---- a refugim system for like 179 does that sound right?

 

[shoogieboo]

i'm sorry i'm just confused thats all first i was told that wet/dry was the way to go without a doubt now i'm being told different by someone who managed a lfs for years so i'm just checking into it thats all and i finally got the wet/dry thing down lol now i'm trying to teach myself somthing new bare with me pls....

 

[acrylic51]

I hope you don't think I managed a LFS for years???? I spent 10 years in the army and I'm a mechanic by trade..... Trust me wet/dry did serve their purpose and still do, but you will hear some say they are a nitrate factory????? With proper maintenance they can be hand, but you do need something to consume the nitrates they do put off. A sump/fuge combination is a more natural filtration method of sorts.... Ask Squidd, Bang etc.......

 

[blemmy_guy]

I currently have a 75 gallon reef tank that is doing great. It has the LFS suggested wet/dry filter on it. The more I read on here...it sounds as if most people arent doing that
.
How long has this worked for you??? ANd if its worked for you already why wouldnt it work now?? I have a wet/dry and love it. I think it gets s lot of bashing around here, but it sure works good if you take care of it the right way. Also there is a new and improved wet/dry called a wet/dry Rocker, it looks real promising, if i were going to replace my wet/dry w/ bioballs, i would love toget this one!! Anywya best of luck to you. Todd

 

[shoogieboo]

thanks todd and as of right now i have nothing the tank is empty thats my reason for all the questions i want to start it off the right way :yes: so i'm not :scared: later on heheh

 

[fishcake]

I have a 210 reef and use a 40-45 gallon sump/refuge with a barr aquatics beckett skimmer

 

[acrylic51]

I'm not bashing bio balls because I still use a small amount but also run a fuge to export nutrients as well. I've seen the Rocker run on 155 bow front and the thing stopped rocking after a while. The store is poor in quality so that might have something to do with it also

 

[acrylic51]

Hey FishCake how is that skimmer??? Is that a beckett design???? How much noise and what do u have pushing it???

 

[fishcake]

noise isn't to bad and the pump is a Iwaki 55

 

[fishcake]

yes it is a beckett design

 

[shoogieboo]

ok so why don't you just come out here and set it up for me then tell me what i gotta do to keep it nice

 

[acrylic51]

If you could see my new fishroom right now under construction you would understand why I can't.... I'm still in the process of framing and insulating and drywall it isn't even funny. I should be out there working as we speak, but out of it today and needed to take a break.