suggestions for new filter system

joebeagle · 02/10/2009, 08:09 PM

I would like some input for a new filter. I currently have a 55 gal tank that came with a aqua-yech 30-60 (hob) filter. It has quit working and I need a new filter. I do not have a refugium.

kraze3 · 02/10/2009, 08:11 PM

get a hang on back skimmer

joebeagle · 02/10/2009, 08:13 PM

Any ideas on brand, size, ect?

loosecannon · 02/11/2009, 11:31 AM

Do your recerch joe, the bad skimmers are as much as the good ones.

jasdavis09 · 02/11/2009, 12:09 PM

Hey Joe, I am at the same cross roads as you are with my filtration. I have ben running a cpr skimmer for the las two years. Recently I have ben doing some research on the octopus line of skimmers. There are a bunch of good reviews online. I am mainly considering the 100f model. I like the Idea of being able to place my heater inside of the skimmer, one less thing in the tank.

joebeagle · 02/12/2009, 01:58 PM

This is going to sound like a stupid question, but I have an existing skimmer. I have also been using a seperate HOB filter. Are both necessary?

MrPike · 02/12/2009, 02:07 PM

Nah, the HOB filters are just about useless for everything other then a place to hold your carbon out of sight.

I would yank it, and perhaps get another powerhead to replace the lost flow.

joebeagle · 02/12/2009, 02:24 PM

Another dumn question. What/where would I put the carbon then? Or is it necessary?

MrPike · 02/12/2009, 04:36 PM

Its not 100% necessary but it helps. If I was doing regular water changes, I probably wouldn't use it as often. Im pretty lazy so I rely on carbon to pick up my slack..

I think the point to get across is the hang on back filters normally use some sort of sponge to pull particles out of the water and with a reef you really want to avoid that style of filtration. Its essentially taking large particles that could be used as a food source and breaking them down to Nitrogen which blooms your algae, harms your coral, and stresses your fish.

If you want to continue the use of carbon, a cheap reactor like this would be a good choice.

premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=phosreactor

02/10/2009, 08:09 PM	#1
joebeagle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 75	suggestions for new filter system I would like some input for a new filter. I currently have a 55 gal tank that came with a aqua-yech 30-60 (hob) filter. It has quit working and I need a new filter. I do not have a refugium. __________________ 55 gal marine, 1 blue/green chromis, 2 blue damsels, 1 clarkii clown, 1 yellow tang, 2 tube worms, assorted hermit crabs. Current Tank Info: 55 gal marine plus my 20 gal freshwater

02/10/2009, 08:13 PM	#3
joebeagle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 75	Any ideas on brand, size, ect? __________________ 55 gal marine, 1 blue/green chromis, 2 blue damsels, 1 clarkii clown, 1 yellow tang, 2 tube worms, assorted hermit crabs. Current Tank Info: 55 gal marine plus my 20 gal freshwater

02/11/2009, 11:31 AM	#4
loosecannon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: port kent Posts: 1,292	Do your recerch joe, the bad skimmers are as much as the good ones. __________________ I like getting WET! Current Tank Info: 44gal. 40 gal. 75 gal. 30gal. and working on a 75gal. rigt

02/11/2009, 12:09 PM	#5
jasdavis09 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roseville ca Posts: 71	Hey Joe, I am at the same cross roads as you are with my filtration. I have ben running a cpr skimmer for the las two years. Recently I have ben doing some research on the octopus line of skimmers. There are a bunch of good reviews online. I am mainly considering the 100f model. I like the Idea of being able to place my heater inside of the skimmer, one less thing in the tank. __________________ my tank is the place I hide my money and no one knows where to find it Current Tank Info: 45 gal bow front

02/12/2009, 01:58 PM	#6
joebeagle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 75	This is going to sound like a stupid question, but I have an existing skimmer. I have also been using a seperate HOB filter. Are both necessary? __________________ 55 gal marine, 1 blue/green chromis, 2 blue damsels, 1 clarkii clown, 1 yellow tang, 2 tube worms, assorted hermit crabs. Current Tank Info: 55 gal marine plus my 20 gal freshwater

02/10/2009, 08:11 PM	#2
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	get a hang on back skimmer

02/12/2009, 02:07 PM	#7
MrPike Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 718	Nah, the HOB filters are just about useless for everything other then a place to hold your carbon out of sight. I would yank it, and perhaps get another powerhead to replace the lost flow.

02/12/2009, 02:24 PM	#8
joebeagle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 75	Another dumn question. What/where would I put the carbon then? Or is it necessary? __________________ 55 gal marine, 1 blue/green chromis, 2 blue damsels, 1 clarkii clown, 1 yellow tang, 2 tube worms, assorted hermit crabs. Current Tank Info: 55 gal marine plus my 20 gal freshwater

02/12/2009, 04:36 PM	#9
MrPike Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 718	Its not 100% necessary but it helps. If I was doing regular water changes, I probably wouldn't use it as often. Im pretty lazy so I rely on carbon to pick up my slack.. I think the point to get across is the hang on back filters normally use some sort of sponge to pull particles out of the water and with a reef you really want to avoid that style of filtration. Its essentially taking large particles that could be used as a food source and breaking them down to Nitrogen which blooms your algae, harms your coral, and stresses your fish. If you want to continue the use of carbon, a cheap reactor like this would be a good choice. premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=phosreactor