Newbie Needs Help With Filtration

LiquidFlame · 07-17-2008, 01:30 PM

Hey guys, I'm brand new to aquariums and I really want to setup a saltwater aquarium and I've been doing a lot of reading and research for the past month, but now it seems like the more I read, the more I'm getting confused. I guess let me start off with what I know/what I plan on doing. I want to setup a FOWLR and since I know the bigger the better, I've decide to go with a 55g tank. I plan on putting about 40-50lbs of LR and was thinking of doing a 4" bed of LS. I know I'm going to need a protein skimmer, test kits for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, a refractometer, and all the other little things like a tub for mixing my water, a thermometer, a net, etc... I understand the process of doing a fishless cycle with my tank so I think I'm pretty good there. The area that I am very confused with is filtration.

I have been reading many different kinds of filtration methods, but I am very confused about which one to chose. I know that LR and LS is the best bio filtration to use, and it seems like some people just use their LR and LS and a protein skimmer for their filtration. Then there's others who use one or two HOB's and then I see a lot of people talking about wet/dry systems and refugium systems which I think are different then wet/dry systems. What I'm trying to figure out is what is the best filtration system for a beginner to use. My whole goal with my aquarium is to be able to enjoy it and have it be as low maintenance as possible, but even though I'm new to things, I don't want to skimp out on the filtration too. If you guys could maybe explain to me more about which filtration to use and what is all involved with each one, it would help me out a lot in choosing my filtration system. I'd like to get this figured out before I ask anymore of my questions. Thanks.

Judge · 07-17-2008, 03:22 PM

My guess is that a refugium is probably the best. It is not what I have so I can't help much there. All I can tell you is what I have and what it involves. I have a filter, it is a Marineland 350 cannister. I also have LR and LS, you can see exactly what I have in my sig. I like my filter, and I believe it does a very good job. Most important is to keep it cleaned as far as the filter media, in my case carbon. It can lead to problems if not kept clean. If you go with a cannister be sure and get one that has the shut off valves. Mine does not, as a matter of fact under the DIY section I detailed how I remedied my problem with this. Live and learn. There is a 350 deluxe that has the shut off valves with it, I just did not know any better when I bought it but I will say it is a workhorse. I am certain some of the more experienced with sumps, refugiums, wet/dry etc will swim in and offer their own experiences. Good luck.

chadf · 07-17-2008, 06:02 PM

IMO the best filtration for your aquarium is live rock, live sand, protein skimmer, and refugium. This will be completely maintenance free besides an occasional cleaning and emptying of the protein skimmer. Other types of filters like canisters or hang on backs do not have much of a purpose in sw tanks and are only going give you nitrate problems if you don't clean them routinely.

E46er · 07-17-2008, 07:30 PM

how exactly does a refugium help with filtration?

LiquidFlame · 07-18-2008, 07:59 AM

Can you explain to me what a refugium does/what it all involves in setting up one or even some good links that explain refugiums. Thanks

las4444 · 07-18-2008, 08:54 AM

There are four basic elements of a refuguim.

More area for bacteria to colonize for added filtration (biological)

The light used to fuel the life will help Ph remain steady during the night hours when the main lights of not on.

Provide a calm area for lots of little critters to breed and grow up. Some will end up in the main tank for fish and coral to dine on.

Using macro algae which will consume nitrates.

Remember, this is just a basic description.

I do not use any physical filter material other than a small disk to protect the pump. I have crystal clear water. Filtering can also refer to biological filtration.

Welcome, hope this helps.

LiquidFlame · 07-21-2008, 12:52 PM

I think I have a lot better idea of what's all involve with a refugium. I just wanted to make sure I had a couple of things correct. It seems like most peoples refugiums are split into 3 chambers and I know you can have more, but let's just assume that I would be doing three. I know you can add whatever your preference is to the refugium, but I just want to make sure I have the idea of it correct. You would first have your water from your main tank draining into your first chamber of the refugium where you can have some LR, LS, and some plants. Then the water would follow into the second camber where you would have your protein skimmer and then your water would follow into your third chamber with a water pump to pump your water back into the main tank. Am I correct/am I missing anything else? Some questions I still have about refugium's:

How do you know how big of one you need?

When you start your fishless cycle should you have your refugium set up or should you wait for your water to have stable conditions?

A Sump is just another type filter correct? It doesn't actually pump the water in or out of your tank?

unclejed · 07-21-2008, 03:57 PM

You seem a bit confused between a refugium and a sump. You can employ a
rather large sump (larger than you need) and use half of it as a
refugium.refugium
One entry found.
refugium;

Main Entry: re?fu?gi?um
Pronunciation: \ri-ˈfy?-jē-əm\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural re?fu?gia \-jē-ə\
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, refuge
Date: 1943
: an area of relatively unaltered climate that is inhabited by plants
and animals during a period of continental climatic change (as a
glaciation) and remains as a center of relict forms from which a new
dispersion and speciation may take place after climatic readjustment.

So we (aquarists) use the term refugium to describe an area of the sump or an adjacent holding tank as a place of little disturbance (you never clean it, rearrange it etc.) to foster growth of plants, bacteria, creatures etc. as a further filtering component.

Nereaga · 07-21-2008, 06:09 PM

Well said Las and Jed!

Brad

clinto · 07-21-2008, 10:22 PM

i would consider using a 20 gallon long tank as the sump and create your own chambers using plexi glass and silicon. i did this and could not be happier. it is cheap and very efficient. you can set the water depths in the sump with your dividers and make each area as big as you want. Go to www.melevsreef.com and play around on that sight. i learned how to make my sump there and it helps to show you how refugiums can be incorporated in different ways. i actually went on about.com and started the email saltwater aquarium course and they send you an email each day starting with choosing your equipment and they get more in depth each day. leading up to refugiums and reef tanks. it was a big help. something else you should look at is the refugium info on about.com and check out the setup with the refugium as a seperate tank sitting next to the display tank. i did this and it is cool because you can see everything all the time and it is different. None the less it will at least get the wheels turning on what you may want on a new set up.