Filtration Help

[amistad]

I currently have a 72gal bow front with two emperor 400's on it. I feel that I need some better source of filtration are there any suggestions?? I heard that I may need something like a bak pak.

 

[squidd]

My thoughts of filtration...
Large (adaquate) quantity of Live Rock and SSB for Biological filtration (suface area for Bacteria)...High Flow , distributed through out the tank to keep deitrus suspended and removed from MT,promote gaseous exchange and maintain oxygen levels...a Large sump and LARGER Fuge with Macros for malnutrient removal through export (denitrification) and a Killer Skimmer to remove Mass quantities of DOCs (organics) prior to decomposition...
With a well balanced system, no other "filtration devices" (bioballs/biomedia) are necessary...Other than the ability to run Chemical Media (carbon or phosphate removers) from time to time, best done in a Fluidized bed (or converted canister) type system...

 

[bob a.]

Originally Posted by Squidd
My thoughts of filtration...
Large (adaquate) quantity of Live Rock and SSB for Biological filtration (suface area for Bacteria)...High Flow , distributed through out the tank to keep deitrus suspended and removed from MT,promote gaseous exchange and maintain oxygen levels...a Large sump and LARGER Fuge with Macros for malnutrient removal through export (denitrification) and a Killer Skimmer to remove Mass quantities of DOCs (organics) prior to decomposition...
With a well balanced system, no other "filtration devices" (bioballs/biomedia) are necessary...Other than the ability to run Chemical Media (carbon or phosphate removers) from time to time, best done in a Fluidized bed (or converted canister) type system...
What he said..

I like to run a hang on filter in addition for chemical media and mechanical filtration. The only thing is that you need to keep an eye on it and clean it fairly regularly or it will turn into a nitrate magnet. I think on an FO tank these are beneficial since you generally dont have cleaning crew critters to clean up alot of the detrius in the tank. I also run a phosphate filter on my reef and run uv sterilizers on both tanks. The jury is out on how much value a sterilizer adds to the overall stability of the tank, but I feel better running them then not.