Do I have enough filtration?

azreefer

azreefer

New Member
Hi all!,
I recently purchased a 240 gallon acrylic tank ( 96" x 24" x 24" ) and want to set it up as a fish only tank since I don't have the funds to support another reef tank. The tank is drilled on the bottom and has 4 intake bulkheads and two returns. The intakes and returns are evenly spaced across the bottom of the tank. The intakes have grates and screen over them and the returns have flexible tubing on them so they stick out above a 4"-5" layer of crushed coral. There are two Little Giant 4MDQ-SC pumps running this system for a total flow rate of 1620 gph. Each of these pumps has a PEP canister filter in line that has a filter membrane in it. I am going to add a large skimmer to the tank also.
Do you think this large undergravel filter will support the tank if there is a fairly light bio load. I was thinking of getting a single banded cat shark and a spotted ray. I realize that most people are setting up these types of tanks with a wet-dry but I'm trying to save a few bucks. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
treble

treble

Member
Dont get an undergravel filter, they were designed for freshwater aquariums and cause buildup in saltwater aquariums. Dont get a wet dry either. Get a huge skimmer one of the berlin models would be nice. Get somewhere around 75lbs of live rock. What fish do you plan on hosting?
 
azreefer

azreefer

New Member
"Dont get an undergravel filter, they were designed for freshwater aquariums and cause buildup in saltwater aquariums."
I wasn't going to buy a undergravel...that's how the tank is currently set up. It seems that a 4" base of crushed coral with 1620 gph flow would provide plenty of bio material for bacteria to grow on. What type of a "build up" are you talking about? As for the fish, a banded cat shark and a ray.
 
treble

treble

Member
There was a debate a while back about the effectiveness of a wet/dry filter over an amount of time. This stated that over a period of 1 year that the nitrate amount would grow slowly untill eventually the tank would crash. The bacteria in the first 12 months would greatly help the aquarium but after that if not cleaned then it would begin to clog with debris and start to affect the aquariums water quality. So I imagine if you cleaned it then the affects would be good. It may even need to be cleaned before that, I have no personal experience but thats what crashed my friends tank. So if you wanted to go for it get a wet/dry filter, in the end its up to you I am just offering some advice.
 
tvan

tvan

Member
Rays really should have a sand or nonabrasive substrate. Wet/drys are fine, just use filter felt before the bio balls.
Regulate Nitrates (denitrator,refugium,nitrate sponge).
HTH
Tom
 
I

irenicus

Guest
Treble do a lot of other aquariasts support that theory? That's kind of interesting. I have a wet dry, why do supporters of this theory sugest one should do to prevent this result?
 
jim27

jim27

Member
Personally I would definetly get(or built) a wet/dry. They do cause nitrates to built up over time but I solve that problem with monthly 50-60 gallon water changes on my 180.
 
treble

treble

Member
Yes in fact many aquariest support that idea, yet still it takes such a long time for the nitrates to build up that people look past it and forget it untill hmmmm my tank hits the year mark and why are all of a sudden my nitrates sky-rocketing. I cannot find the thread, i'm sorry, but I guess its a good filter, just make sure you clean it up every 2 months or so, no biggy.
 
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