to much filtration?

[paul92024]

I was told by the local dealer that a my 50 gallons reef would not beniffet from a wet dry filter, that it would actualy have a negitive effect on the system.
I have a protien skimmer rated for 150-250 gallons, a Fluval 303 canister filter rated a 70 galonsl, and about 55 LBS of live rock.
Basiclly what he said was the wet dry would be to much filtration (bio or mechanical, I forgot). He told me all I would need is a protien skimmer and some more live rock. He said the Fluval and protien skimmer is already probally to much.
So the question is do I use the wey dry filter I bought or not?
As for corals I have some mushrooms, yellow polyps, green button polups, star polyps, a Xenia, and a leather. They all seem healthy as of right now. BTW there are no fish in my tank right now, though I will add one or two down the road.
Thanks for any input given
Paul

 

[hookedonreefs]

In a general statement, there's never really too much filtration. However, for your tank - you are starting to pay for lots of things that you're not really completely using. The skimmer and canister are probably enough. Heck, just a water change every so often would be ok. You have alot of what I think of as "dirty water" corals. That is corals that don't really need prestine water conditions. That being said - it never hurts to have really clean water, you'll just end up feeding a little more to compensate for the extra cleaning that's going on.
It's all up to you.
hooked

 

[alison]

:happyfish I'm not quite sure, and this is just my opinion but I would have to agree I would do one or the other. I would do either the fluval or the sump. You could do the wet/dry and a small canister. Isn't the canister you have the largest canister they come am I correct? :notsure: As for the protein skimmer I don't know about the rating, but I think that's fine on top of whatever. That really skims the water not filters it. So in my suggestion I would do either the sump or the canister not both. I may be wrong though. I don't know how big that canister is. Good luck, ali
Agree with hookedonreef about skimming also, I usually turn off my skimmer at night when the corals feed. I find my corals like it a little dirtier but they don't like it when I don't use my skimmer completely. -ali

 

[condork12]

there wil ultimatly be more nitrate build up in a reef tank if u have a wet/dry so i guess that is negative.

 

[msd2]

Originally posted by condork12
there wil ultimatly be more nitrate build up in a reef tank if u have a wet/dry so i guess that is negative.
LOL god this is argued all the time isnt it? the Nitrate/ite build up from a wet/dry. THere are a lot of posts regarding this topic. I ran a wet dry and ended up removing the balls and am converting it into a fuge. Personally I think they can be of great benefit but too high of maintance for my taste. I would if I were you go with lots of LR good turnover in the tank and either stick with the canister or a fuge setup.

 

[spmnarciso]

I agree...wet/dry with bioballs no good! Canister not the greatest either. You could keep the canister for running carbon occasionally. But all you really need is a good skimmer, 2 or more lbs. of LR/gallons, and a decent size sand bed. A fug. in the mix would help tremendously with pod reproduction and some plants might eliminate future outbreaks of any algae in the display. Make sure you have good flow too...15-20X. I try to come here and ask questions before I listen to any LFS.
Good Luck!

 

[broomer5]

It's almost impossible to guess since all tanks are different.
Your tank with it's bioload, water change routine, feedings, bacterial population and other factors, will function differently than another persons 55 gallon tank.
Is your tank healthy ?
Are your creatures healthy ?
Are your test results decent ?
These are the things I would look at if trying to make a filtration decision. Not what others think or say - but your own unique direct experience with your own tank

 

[spmnarciso]

Just trying to give my opinion and that is what this board is for. I agree with your answer, that everyone has their own way of doing things that work for them. Sometimes things look good at the beginning, but who wants to spend time and effort on an experiment, when so many others have accepted a certain baseline for proper reef keeping. There are pro and cons to every method and having someone point it out for you is a tremendous help.