new tank, filtration??

[selah]

Hi, I just got a 75 gallon tank and am new to the SW and to this hobby. I have read Conscientious Marine Aquaristist and have been reading the posts here every day and have learned a lot. But I am still confused on what filtration would be best for me. I plan on having a FOWLR and inverts and maybe down the line after my tank has matured and my confidence is up (and I can afford good lights) some lowlight corals/schrooms/polyps.
I plan on buying 75 lbs of live rock, having a 2-3 inch layer of sand as a substrate, and stocking with fish that are reef friendly. I also plan on a protein skimmer and powerheads.
I am not sure what type of filtration to get. Wet/Dry? Canister? Sump (I am not mechanically inclined at all)? A sump may be difficult because I have two preschoolers at home that would potentially would have access to a sump, but would be willing to try it if it is the best alternative.
Thanks for all the great info that this forum provides!!

 

[sebae0]

imho a sump with a refugium, and alot f lr would be the best way for you to go. let the lr and dsb along with the refuge and good circulation do it so down the road when you try corals you will have a low trate tank which is good for corals.
a wet dry tends to work to effeciently and leads to a constant higher trate level. hth

 

[selah]

Thanks for the response!!
Hmmm, what actually goes into a refuge?
Would I need to have a DSB in my main tank and in the refuge?
How much circulation would you suggest?
Thanks again

 

[selah]

Thanks for the great info!!
My tank is 75g. (currently it is all I have in my set up). So what kind or powerheads do you suggest?
Also, the sump/refuge looks like it is the way to go. Thanks for the diagram. I am a beginner at this hobby, so I kind of feel overwhelmed on how to make a sump/refuge. Where do I start?
I do have a wooden stand with doors that will have to be locked to keep my little ones out of it!!! I think they will enjoy the fish and inverts when it is finished.
Thanks again.

 

[nacl-man]

Agreed w/ everything Kipass said (as usual )
If you want to (in the future) go w/ a reef setup I would invest the time/money in getting a decent sump/refuge going... it'll save you sooo much hassle in the long run. The sump/refuge can be any size that'll fit under your tank... but IMO the bigger the better. The more water volume you can add to your tank the better off you'll be!
HTH and good luck!

 

[selah]

I have been looking at an acrylic refuge/sump that is smal enough to fit under my tank (28 X 11 1/2 x 16H).
My question is that on the left hand side there would be enough room to put a small skimmer (urchin) then a baffle then refuge - baffle - then the pump. Is this a good set up or is it to much water flow to have skimmmer close to the refuge? Would it be better to have a hang on skimmer if I get this set up?
Also, there are dual 1 inch inputs on the left side.
Thanks for any comments or help as I try to figure this out.