filtering for 40 gallon

[JStraz4991]

Is the Emperor 280 Marineland Bio Wheel Power Filter a good chose for my 40 gallon breeder fish only tank.

[pimpinitup6969]

I personally would stray away from the hob filters all together... for a little more money spent you could have the tank drilled and install a small sump. then get a skimmer and your all set. Where in NY are you located?
Matt

[Sugar Magnolia]

You can use that filter, just remove the biowheel. I have a 30g with no sump and right now I'm using the largest Aqueon hob filter. Previously I've used the Aquaclear 70 and also a Whisper. I like to go with the largest one I can so it adds plenty of flow upon return to the tank.

[badwrasse]

+1 on the sump they can handle more bio load and adds to the over all water volume

[badwrasse]

you don't have to drill the tank though, you could just do an overflow box and a ''J'' tube. but either way the sump set up is the way to go IMO.

[jasonrp104]

Originally posted by JStraz4991
Is the Emperor 280 Marineland Bio Wheel Power Filter a good chose for my 40 gallon breeder fish only tank.

Yes, just ditch the bio wheel

[badwrasse]

Originally posted by jasonrp104
Yes, just ditch the bio wheel

it will keep stuf alive but that doesn't mean its good

[jasonrp104]

No, it's not the best solution but it will work on a fowlr if he doesn't mind changing water weekly. I know this for a fact. My preference is a sump and skimmer too but I kept my opinion to myself and just answered the question.

[drummereef]

In my 40g I have live rock, plenty of flow, and a skimmer for filtration. I use a small HOB filter for carbon and GFO.

[badwrasse]

I can understand that alot of people have that approach. what i dont understand is why, people come here for opinions, but you say YES for the sake of not upsetting anyone, why its not far to people that are looking to be put in the right direction. will it keep stuff alive, yes it will, is it a good filter, not IMO.
but nobody has to listen just give your opinion if someone listen or like it, oh well you tried.

[badwrasse]

[Juruense]

Everyone seems to be saying get a sump and then a skimmer.

I say get a hang on skimmer and then later a sump if you are on a budget.

Ditch the Emperor.

[jasonrp104]

It's a fowlr tank. As long as he has enough, liverock, doesn't overstock, and does a 5-10% wc every week, I doubt he'll have any problems. Using just a HOB is commiting yourself to ALOT more work to keep levels in check. Mine worked for quite awhile but I decided to start making a reef tank so I started using it just for carbon and GFO until I got a reactor.


If you are looking for the better way, go with a sump. I think I spent a little over $100 bucks making mine. Most of that $100 was spent on the HOB overflow and return pump

[KarlBob]

If the tank already has water and fishes in it, drilling may not be much of an option.

Personally, I'm not inclined to trust siphon overflows. I have one on my HOB refugium, and it's far from perfect.

[sponger0]

so im curious....why does everyone say get rid of the bio wheel?

[jasonrp104]

It's how I roll...life on the edge

I didn't have much of a choice, so I was stuck with it

edit: Bio wheels are so good at making nitrate, it becomes an issue eventually. I also hated them for the salt creep they caused. Even with the cover, I had a nice, slow buildup of salt all around the filter. Much less when they were removed

[KarlBob]

Bio wheels provide a strongly aerobic environment for bacteria. The bacteria that live on the bio wheel convert ammonia to nitrite, then to nitrate.

What they can't do is the last step, converting nitrate to nitrogen gas. That requires anaerobic bacteria. They live in places with very little oxygen, like a deep sand bed or inside live rock.

If you have a bio wheel without enough live rock, the level of nitrate in your aquarium will stay pretty high, and your fishes won't be at their best. Fishes can tolerate higher nitrate levels than corals, but it's still better to keep nitrate production in balance with nitrate removal.

[sponger0]

ok so anything that will keep bacteria i should get rid of? so now is there any use in running a carbon filter if you have a skimmer? ive read it will help keep the water clean

[scuba guy ron]

If you check out my youtube page I've outlined a DIY sump system for this tank size. www.youtube.com/scubaguyron. It states diy system in the vid name.

[JStraz4991]

I dont have a enough money right now to start a sump.but do you have any HOB filters that you would recommend or even canister filters that are good for a fish only saltwater 40 gallon breeder tank

[badwrasse]

I bet you could build one for what it would cost to buy a HOB. find a used 20-30 gal tank on graigslist on something.

Do you have a reefclug in your area? I bet some guys in your area have one laying around.

Petco sometimes has a dollar a gallon sale and you can pich them up cheap, and sure you can find a used pump for cheap.

you dont need to spend a lot just try to find used before you buy a HOB now then a sump later

[PhilNiedjaco]

Scuba...

Nice tank...

[disturbed]

get a sump and a skimmer.no overflow box

[scuba guy ron]

thanx a lot PhilNiedjaco. Its a labor of love......rite!

[scuba guy ron]

craigslist has tons of gear for real cheap. People sell everything on there, and buy it too. 2 weeks ago I sold 20 cuttings from my tank of Xenia for 10.00 a head. give it a looksie