Confused about skimmers/filters/etc

[ginalynn]

Ok, so I have been reading forums and I have to say that I am officially confused now. I have a 30 gallon and have been running a refugium and I hate it, so I wanted to put a regular filter on it. From what I have read, I have seen the following: not to use them at all and just use a protein skimmer OR use them in conjunction with a protein skimmer or use just the regular filter. So what is your suggestion? Filter? Skimmer? Both?
Thanks!

 

[reeferman1]

What up G? I use an Aqua C skimmer on my 30 ga. with a Penguin 200 filter (without a the bio-wheel). The skimmer would also be good by itself. Very easy to clean and operate. IMO :joy:

 

[ginalynn]

Originally Posted by Reeferman1
What up G? I use an Aqua C skimmer on my 30 ga. with a Penguin 200 filter (without a the bio-wheel). The skimmer would also be good by itself. Very easy to clean and operate. IMO :joy:
Why no bio wheel? What kind of filtration does that leave you with? Is bio filtration a bad thing in a saltwater tank?

 

[reeferman1]

You do not want to use the bio-wheel, this is bad for saltwater because it collects nitrates and does not eliminate them. You can run just floss or carbon and floss through this for added filtration. You do not have to use a biowheel at all. The Penguin is what I was told would work (with the bio-wheel) in a SWT via my LFS-definetly not true. The only reason I use the added filtration is I can run Phosban through it when I have dietrus problems. You'll be fine with just the skimmer. IMO, hope this helps.

 

[ophiura]

First, can I ask why you hate your refugium? Because a refugium does do things that the other sorts of filters will not do. So if you hate it, we may want to address why that is before you ditch it. How is it set up?
BIOWHEELS DO NOT COLLECT NITRATES.
Biowheels are a form of biolgical filter that grow bacteria (like live rock and sand does) that eventually convert ammonia to nitrite and nitrate. Nitrate accumulates in tanks if not removed via water changes, deep in a sand bed or LR, OR with MACROALGAE growth in a refugium. Nitrate problems arise in overstocked, overfed, or improperly maintained systems with inadequate export. They do NOT ARISE because of the use of biowheels or bioballs themselves. Now you may not NEED a biowheel, but they are NOT BAD.
You can run just a good skimmer and lots of powerheads assuming you have a substantial amount of LR and a relatively low bioload. This depends on what you have in your tank.

 

[reeferman1]

Thanks for correct info on what the bio-wheel can and can not do. I agree, with a good skimmer and plenty of flow this should be fine if the bioload is'nt to much.
Ophiura-is there a good thread on here that explains what the difference is between filtration systems, how they work, and what works best with specific tank sizes? Thank you.

 

[ophiura]

I am not sure there is, but there are LOADS of discussions on bioballs and biowheels LOL. Lots of nitrate factory threads. There may be a FAQ for new hobbyists that talks about some of these issues in the Archive. I'll have to look.
The problem with generalizations is that what everone wants to keep is different. If I had a FO system, especially with aggressive fish, I would do a wet dry and skimmer hands down. No question. Others maybe wouldn't. On a reef tank I would do a refugium and skimmer, hands down (if I could do it again ). But so many systems work well for different people. What you really need to do, is figure out what you can afford, what you are comfortable with, and know the limitations of your system. I wouldn't pack a tank full of delicate fish running an over the back filter for example. So lots and lots of variables I am afraid. :yes: Thankfully most can be adapted or changed out over time...though it isn't easy.
I guess the only firm answer is "don't use an undergravel filter on any tank." :yes:

 

[reeferman1]

I agree, there are so many options and opinions everyone just wants to get it right. I want to set up another tank. I want a 72, 75 or 90 ga bowfront-reef tank. I can afford the right filtration system but I just want to it right the first time. When I first got into this hobby all the info and equipment I purchased was all wrong via the LFS. Can you suggest a good refugium set up that would work with 2 Aqua C skimmers.

 

[ophiura]

Again, that presonal preferences comes in...I am not all that familiar with refugium brands, because they are easy enough to make yourself (eg rubbermaid container or extra glass tank). There are several people who do there own, and for probably a lot cheaper than a store made one...probably lots of info in the DIY.

 

[reeferman1]

Thanks for all your help. I'll check it out.

 

[ginalynn]

The reason I don't like the refugium is because it is a small hang on back one and if the power goes out and comes back on quickly, the powerhead that pushes the water into the refugium pushes more water into it than is coming back out into the tank through the return hose. Then water gets everywhere and I lose tank water and what not. I just do not feel comfortable leaving it at home when I am gone to work for the day and so forth. What I wanted to do was get rid of it (I know a lot of people REALLY like them, but I am paranoid about overflowing tanks and electricution and everything else that could possibly go along with that) and get some sort of filter or protein skimmer or whatever else would work second best to a refugium. Any ideas?

 

[ophiura]

Ah, I see. Well, you can do a protein skimmer and a couple of powerheads if you want, assuming you've got some good amount of LR. That would definitely work. I would rather you spend money on one good protein skimmer than a semi good protein skimmer and hang on filter.

 

[ginalynn]

My tank is small (30 gallons) with two false percs. in it. The protein skimmer I have been looking at is the CPR bak-Pak 2. We have a great fish store about an hour and a half away from where I live run by a marine biologist and that is the one that he recommended. My question with that is, they make them with and without a biological media/bio-bail. Which would you recommend?