Circulating a 90???help me?

mike19881956

mike19881956

Member
Hi i have a 90 gallon and was wondering what to use to filter it. im definitly using a canister filter. Some one else said use a couple powerheads and a skimmer. What is this skimmer he talking about.Protein? And would it be ok to run an undgrvl filter along with it for extra biological filtration?
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Want extra biological filtration? Then don't use the UGF you will most likley regret it. Use sand as a substrate, this will allow you more filteration and you will be able to keep a higher bio load. Canister on a 90? you will most likely need more than that.
This tank going to be a Fish Only? or FOWLER? If so:
I would use the best skimmer you can afford, 4-MJ 900 power heads or 2- 1200's and 2 900's, for more circulation. Add as much live rock as you can afford, can't afford it then use base rock it is much cheaper.
This is the route I would go:
Consider getting the tank drilled for overflow and return and think about using a sump or wet/dry. This can also be done using an external overflow if you do not want the have the tank drilled. Add a strong return pump to a spray bar or split the return to the tank into two or three outlets.
Just a few thoughts
Thomas
 
nacl-man

nacl-man

Member
Agreed w/ everything Thomas said, just wanted to put more emphasis on the UGF... don't fall into that trap :) just causes more problems down the road!
Cheers and good luck w/ the tank!
 
gypsie32

gypsie32

Member
My 90 gal reef.
125 gal sump
Mag-drive 9.5 pump
Maxi-jet Powerheads 900's (3)
this set-up works great so far, My tank has been up for about 6 weeks..
 
mike19881956

mike19881956

Member
can u give me any more advice on these filters. These sumps that ur talking about can i just get one of them n be done or do i have to like get something with it. I just wana be like able to hook it up n tunr it on n let it run. So u r saying that i should get a sump and powerheads? Is that it. My tank will be fine of a sump(canu tell me how exactly they work) and more PwHds.
 
gypsie32

gypsie32

Member
Are you going to have a reef tank, fish only, it makes a difference in what type of filteration you go with. Are you going to have a deep sand bed, crushed coral? Everything makes a difference...
 
ross

ross

Active Member
A sump is just basically a tank or rubbermaid container below your main tank. Water goes down through an overflow box or a hole drilled into your tank into the sump and then gets pumped back up by a pump. A sump is a good place to put your heater and a protein skimmer. Later on you can even add a refugium if you decide too. Look on the diy section and you will find tons of info. Someone might even post a diagram explaining everything.
 
mike19881956

mike19881956

Member
Well i have a canister filter that sounds kinda the same. Is the sump just bigger? Also i plan on a fish only tank and it has crushed gravel.
 
shanev

shanev

Member
A sump is like a complete other container. (Like a 20 gallon rubbermaid container works well), a canister is small and has a lot of little compartments in it.
 
ross

ross

Active Member
Yeah. Its just something to hold water. A rubbermaid works just as good as another aquarium and is a whole lot cheaper.
 
ross

ross

Active Member
Yes just buy a regular rubbermaid container. I would probably use a mag 9.5 pump for a fish only tank. You keep the heater(s) and your protein skimmer in the sump.
 
shanev

shanev

Member
You can make it a sump, or a fuge. A fuge you can add live sand, live rock, and macro algaes.
On a straight sump, more water = more stable, you can also move stuff like your skimmer, powerfilters, heaters to the sump so they are hidden.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top