I got a new 60 gallon tank for Christmas to my surprise since I didn't even put it on my list and I am starting to mull over different ideas on how I will set this one up. There will be fish, live rock, and some soft corals to start off with. Right now I have a basic HOB filter that works fine on my 30G. I am thinking canister. Any thoughts. Also it needs to be somewhat compact to fit in the stand, quiet since it will be in my living room, and on the inexpensive side.
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Filter ideas for new 60 G.
- Thread starter old salty
- Start date
What do you think about the Marineland Emperor 400. 3 stage filter, adjustable intake system, easy change filter cartridges and media containers, wet/dry bio wheel. I have heard a lot of positives and negatives to the wet/dry bio wheels/balls? Any thoughts? Can a HOB work just as well as a canister for a larger tank? Again noise is a factor. Any reviews of a good cheap quiet canister?
I wouldn’t tell you that you can’t use canister filters on salt tanks…because people have successfully done so. However, I think they very easily turn into nitrate factories if you use the typical media or don’t clean very frequently. I don’t think they are the ideal filtration system for salt tanks. I prefer a sump/refugium setup with a skimmer. Although a 60 gallon is a little on the big size for HOB’s, if you are limited by space, they are certainly better than the canister. Again, sump/refugium preferably under the tank…second choice, HOB sump/refugium/skimmer.
refrugium sounds great but i dont know anything about them. biological filter? what about mechanical and chemical filtration? where does this occur? what size refrugium do i need for a 60 gallon? again im limited by size...14" high, 10" deep, 42" long. how do i do it? wow ... the 60 G is scary enough now im talking about refrugium....now im more scared..
Well the “mechanical” components I would suggest include:
1. carbon reactor
2. phosphate reactor (phosban/gfo)
3. skimmer
These can be included in the sump or out of the sump or HOB. If I were to pick one, I’d start with a skimmer. The reactors can always be added at a later time with ease.
Otherwise, the rest of the sump/refugium is biological. You have a number of choices here and I think it boils down to what works for you. Some of these might be:
Live rock
Deep sand bed
Plant material (cheato seems to be the most popular)
Clean-up crew (snails/crabs/pods/etc)
I don’t know the tank sizes off the top of my head, but maybe two 10 gallon tanks…one for the refugium and the other for the sump (containing a skimmer, heater and return pump). Or check out acrylic sumps…either off-the-shelf or custom made.
1. carbon reactor
2. phosphate reactor (phosban/gfo)
3. skimmer
These can be included in the sump or out of the sump or HOB. If I were to pick one, I’d start with a skimmer. The reactors can always be added at a later time with ease.
Otherwise, the rest of the sump/refugium is biological. You have a number of choices here and I think it boils down to what works for you. Some of these might be:
Live rock
Deep sand bed
Plant material (cheato seems to be the most popular)
Clean-up crew (snails/crabs/pods/etc)
I don’t know the tank sizes off the top of my head, but maybe two 10 gallon tanks…one for the refugium and the other for the sump (containing a skimmer, heater and return pump). Or check out acrylic sumps…either off-the-shelf or custom made.
Agree, Dude, you have to do some research.
http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=18367.msg167265#msg167265 Good start then go to our forum http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&board=5.0 and read as far back as you will grasshopper.
reefsandrotts
NJRC Member
Here's a awesome all in one.I have the 400
http://www.superskimmer.com/Protean_Systems.htm
http://www.superskimmer.com/Protean_Systems.htm
If..if..I decided to go the canister route (and clean it regularly), I have one question. Does a canister need to be placed completely vertical? I have the 60G marineland heartland ensemble and the inside of the cabinet is only 14 inches high. The only way to hide the canister inside the cabinet would be to tilt it left or right. Any thoughts?
old salty said:
I would say that they have to be place upright. Even if it doesnt leak, most canisters work with the water being pumped from the bottom up through the media and out the top. I don't think that will work if you have it on its side.
I've never used a canister filter but i think a phosban/carbon reactor would work better in that area. If your limited to no sump i would suggest a skimmer from the octopus HOB line. They aren't to expensive, nicely built and work great. (At least in my experience)
I really like the marineland emperor filters for fresh water. I tried them on salt and they are messy with salt creep. can you put the canister off to one side instead of under tank? Everyone here is trying to give you advise on the best way to set up so you don't waste your money and have to redo it anyway. live rock I would say is a must. recommend a skimmer after that its up to you.
are you currently runing a salt water tank? 30 gal. is it? so you have some experince. what worked on that tank? your rock is the biological.rodi water with good salt and a steady cleaning regiment
are you currently runing a salt water tank? 30 gal. is it? so you have some experince. what worked on that tank? your rock is the biological.rodi water with good salt and a steady cleaning regiment
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Canister Filter, Reef=NO, Fish Tank, not Reef, Possibly Yes. LIVE ROCK IS YOUR FILTER, the rest, Fuge, Phosban, Carbon, Cheatoe are just refinements. This is a 20 gal holding tank just run by a small hang on with carbon and Phosban and two power heads. No Cyno, Alga everthing is Happy. Only thing I would add is a skimmer.
Yea. I have a 30G now. HOB filter, Pura Complete, live rock, compact daylight/actinic, weekly water changes. My tank is stable, clean, fish have been alive for a long time, and I have a very successful stock of soft corals. I respect all responses to my question. I know there are a lot of hard core reefers out there that wouldn't dare use a canister filter and are probably giggling to themselves wondering why I would even mention the word canister. I love the hobby and would love to have a sump/refugium, skimmer, and reactors, but I also have a bunch of restrictions that keep me from using all of these systems. A small 1st floor open floorplan with a dog, 2 kids, tv, and a wife. I need to make it simple, spill/flood proof, and quiet as possible. I know if i use a canister I need to be on top of keeping it clean and I am already complete OCD about my 30 so I know I wont have a problem with that.
So, in reference to the christmas tank, I told the wife we need to return it so we can get a tank with a bigger stand to accomodate a canister and possibly a sump refuge in the future. The stinky part is the marineland heartland ensemble is a kit and I need to return the entire set up, major pain. I hopefully will do that this weekend.
SO, any canister suggestions out there? Fluval?
Again, thanks for all the input. I totally enjoy this site!
So, in reference to the christmas tank, I told the wife we need to return it so we can get a tank with a bigger stand to accomodate a canister and possibly a sump refuge in the future. The stinky part is the marineland heartland ensemble is a kit and I need to return the entire set up, major pain. I hopefully will do that this weekend.
SO, any canister suggestions out there? Fluval?
Again, thanks for all the input. I totally enjoy this site!
How about filling the canister with live Rock Rubble and the top with a bag of carbon and a bag of Phos-ban or just a couple bags of Chem-Pure Elite, That could work well.
Greg
Greg