Need filter help

jmills104 · 09/01/2009, 07:40 PM

I have a 29g salt water set up with a hang on back filter. I think i need an upgrade to a canister but am trying to be economical about it and spend around $60. What canister should I be looking for? Please help

sedor · 09/01/2009, 07:59 PM

No canister, they tend to be better for freshwater than salt. Although, they can be used, your money would be spent on a skimmer and live rock. These two items are going to be your main source of filteration. Unfortunately its going to be tough to fit your budget, so I would suggest finding some used equipment. Buy a quality skimmer rated for around 75 - 100G and you'll need around 50lbs of LR.

Also, i'm assuming you have some powerheads for flow? Good flow in your tank will also drastically help with filteration, because it keeps the detrius suspended in the water system so it can be filtered out. It all work together.

shumoco · 09/01/2009, 08:19 PM

Avoid the canister, like the previous commenter stated, they're great for fresh and not so great for salt. I've tried both an Eheim and a Rena (that were both significantly more than $60), and have quit using both of them. Look for a cheap used overflow or a new cheap one on ebay. Get a $10 10 gallon from Wal-Mart and toss the best skimmer you can find/fit in there. You'll eventually upgrade the skimmer if you stay in the hobby, but anything is better than nothing. The sump is truly the way to go. It gives you tons of options and gives that mad scientist in you some room to work.

I agree on the live rock and flow. Scrounge for some powerheads, but don't cram too much rock in there.

Use that $60 bucks for progress toward your sump setup. You can't solve your problem with $60, but you can come up with a plan and work toward your goal.

If you're concerned about filtration, don't add any more livestock and feed less until you get a workable setup.

jmills104 · 09/01/2009, 08:31 PM

Thanks - im not going to do live rock as this is my first salt set up and only 29g. However, maybe i will stick with the on the back filter and just add a powerhead to increase movement and hopefully filtration...can you recommend a powerhead please. Remember, only a 29g tank. thanks for the help

shumoco · 09/01/2009, 10:13 PM

Do you not have any live rock at all?

I would recommend a maxijet 1200 or perhaps a Koralia #2 or #3.

If you don't have any live rock the powerhead isn't going to do much for you other than stir up the poop.

jmills104 · 09/01/2009, 10:40 PM

no live rock at all...powerhead wont help with filtration? im skeptical about my filter bc it is a standard hang on the back filter from a all in 1 tank setup.

dahc1979 · 09/02/2009, 06:19 AM

I ran a CPR bac pac 2 on a 35 gallon reef tank for a few years with no problems. You can find a used one on here reasonably cheap. You will need some live rock to help with the bio filteration. A powerhead will be needed also.

09/01/2009, 07:40 PM	#1
jmills104 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 44	Need filter help I have a 29g salt water set up with a hang on back filter. I think i need an upgrade to a canister but am trying to be economical about it and spend around $60. What canister should I be looking for? Please help

09/01/2009, 07:59 PM	#2
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	No canister, they tend to be better for freshwater than salt. Although, they can be used, your money would be spent on a skimmer and live rock. These two items are going to be your main source of filteration. Unfortunately its going to be tough to fit your budget, so I would suggest finding some used equipment. Buy a quality skimmer rated for around 75 - 100G and you'll need around 50lbs of LR. Also, i'm assuming you have some powerheads for flow? Good flow in your tank will also drastically help with filteration, because it keeps the detrius suspended in the water system so it can be filtered out. It all work together. __________________ Ryan

09/01/2009, 08:19 PM	#3
shumoco Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Okiehoma Posts: 27	Avoid the canister, like the previous commenter stated, they're great for fresh and not so great for salt. I've tried both an Eheim and a Rena (that were both significantly more than $60), and have quit using both of them. Look for a cheap used overflow or a new cheap one on ebay. Get a $10 10 gallon from Wal-Mart and toss the best skimmer you can find/fit in there. You'll eventually upgrade the skimmer if you stay in the hobby, but anything is better than nothing. The sump is truly the way to go. It gives you tons of options and gives that mad scientist in you some room to work. I agree on the live rock and flow. Scrounge for some powerheads, but don't cram too much rock in there. Use that $60 bucks for progress toward your sump setup. You can't solve your problem with $60, but you can come up with a plan and work toward your goal. If you're concerned about filtration, don't add any more livestock and feed less until you get a workable setup.

09/01/2009, 08:31 PM	#4
jmills104 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 44	Thanks - im not going to do live rock as this is my first salt set up and only 29g. However, maybe i will stick with the on the back filter and just add a powerhead to increase movement and hopefully filtration...can you recommend a powerhead please. Remember, only a 29g tank. thanks for the help

09/01/2009, 10:13 PM	#5
shumoco Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Okiehoma Posts: 27	Do you not have any live rock at all? I would recommend a maxijet 1200 or perhaps a Koralia #2 or #3. If you don't have any live rock the powerhead isn't going to do much for you other than stir up the poop.

09/01/2009, 10:40 PM	#6
jmills104 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 44	no live rock at all...powerhead wont help with filtration? im skeptical about my filter bc it is a standard hang on the back filter from a all in 1 tank setup.

09/02/2009, 06:19 AM	#7
dahc1979 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rock Island Posts: 78	I ran a CPR bac pac 2 on a 35 gallon reef tank for a few years with no problems. You can find a used one on here reasonably cheap. You will need some live rock to help with the bio filteration. A powerhead will be needed also.