What kind of Wet/Dry filter do I need

[spud]

I am going to be setting up my tank in several months for saltwater. I am going to be moving and am planning to set it up then. I want to go ahead and buy some of the equipment now. I have a 45 gallon tank that has been set up for freshwater. I have not had it running in the past 3 years but the tank is in great shape. I am wondering what would be the best size and brand of Wet/Dry filter for my 45 gallon. Thanks
Spud

 

[cap'n pete]

Spud,
What are your plans for the tank? Fish only or reef? I tend to tell people to stay away from commercial wet/dry filters as they tend to be overpriced. Most people end up taking the media out and just use them as circulation, something that could be done with a spare tank or rubbermaid container and lot less expensive. LFS on the other hand love to push these so they can get a nice $300 sale.

 

[ocellaris_keeper]

I agree with Capt. - I have a tank with LR and a skimmer with 12 fish and I lost count on snails/hermits/crabs/star fish.
Get yourelf some live sand, a skimmer and some powerheads and avoid the filter rush.

 

[spud]

Thanks for the replies. I am just going to be starting out as a FOWLR. But who knows I may jump into the reef tank later. I have got a feeling that I may want to go to a bigger tank once I get started but the 45 gallon will be a good place to start. I was planning on having LS and LR in the tank. Are you saying that I don't need a filter at all? Also could you recommend some other equipment like power heads and such that would be good for a 45 gallon. Thanks again for all of your help.
Spud

 

[cap'n pete]

Most of us run what is known as the modified Berlin method. This is plenty of LR and LS and a good protein skimmer. The key is having lots of LR (minimum of about 1.5 lbs per gallon) and plenty of circulation. Circulation is usually obtained by the use of a sump (a container below the display tank that holds water) and a return pump. This is supplemented with the use of powerheads. Most of us have at least 10x turnover per hour if not close to 20x. The live rock and sand act as the biological filtration (the breaking down of ammonia to nitrite, then nitrate, and some systems into free nitrogen). The sump can be used to hold the heater, mechanical and chemical filtering material, protein skimmers, and other things that would normally take up space in the display tank. Water is delivered to the sump via overflow (either internal or external) and returned via the return pump. As far as equipment I would recommend...
Powerheads- Maxijet
Return pump-Magdrive
Skimmer- Remora or BakPak
External overflow- mine
Heater- Pro-Heat titanium (this has a seperate thermostat and is unbreakable)
Lighting- PC by Custom Sealife or VHO Icecap w/ URI bulbs
Sump-Sterilite or Rubbermaid!