Filtration system for 15 gallon?

Austrarhyncus · 02/28/2017, 05:45 PM

I am trying to decide what filtration setup to use on my upcoming 15 gallon nano reef. My filter media is to be either activated carbon or Purigen, so it won't take up a lot of space, meaning that the filter shouldn't have too much space for media.

Thanks

heathlindner25 · 02/28/2017, 05:53 PM

Little of both?

Austrarhyncus · 02/28/2017, 06:17 PM

Are there any advantages to using both? Is it even safe to?

heathlindner25 · 02/28/2017, 07:16 PM

I might have misspoken , I was thinking of the Seachem product "sea gel" .
It's a combination of activated carbon and phosguard. Check it out.

Austrarhyncus · 03/01/2017, 01:28 AM

Will it counter chemical warfare between corals?

Austrarhyncus · 03/01/2017, 01:29 AM

Also, is it rechargeable?

kevin21 · 03/01/2017, 06:40 AM

Your live rock and water changes along with a protein skimmer should be all the filtration you need on a 15g nano.

Austrarhyncus · 03/01/2017, 06:43 AM

But would weekly water changes be enough to export the toxins from the corals?

kevin21 · 03/01/2017, 06:51 AM

Yes of course. I have a 28g. I have a protein skimmer rated for up to 50 gallons. I was only doing monthly 5g water changes. Ran into issues. Hair algae, cotton candy algae etc. I started worrying about my filtration and flow. This was not the case. In such small tanks, weekly 5g water changes can make a worlds difference in nitrate/phosphate reducing. Not to mention if you are using a reef based salt like IO reef crystals (I recommend), you will be replacing alk/mag/ca at a nice efficient rate for your corals. In a 15, depending on the type of corals you us, you most likely will not need to even dose. For example, I keep some LPS, mostly softies, everything is thriving and all I do is my 5g weekly water changes along with running my skimmer.

PsychoticBeauty · 03/01/2017, 11:04 AM

Like mentioned above the rock you put in the tank will be your primary biological filter. Having a protein skimmer will definitely help, but it's not really needed. Having a HOB filter is also a good idea if you ever need to run things like GAC or GFO. You can also put a sponge in this during your water changes to help polish the water for you. Once the tank is clear go ahead and remove it.

Austrarhyncus · 03/01/2017, 05:01 PM

Yeh, the Red Sea salt is what I'll be using, according to the description, it contains all the trace elements needed, so yes, dosing won't be necessary.

I do not have room for a protein skimmer, as my tank isn't one of those with a build in sump at the back, and an external sump would be impractical for such a small tank. An internal protein skimmer would be unsightly, so I'll just stick to water changes of around 30% per week.

So pretty much all I need in terms of filtration is a good powerhead, quality live rock and a HOB for temporary use after water changes?

heathlindner25 · 03/01/2017, 05:39 PM

Yes

Austrarhyncus · 03/01/2017, 06:10 PM

Cool, what flow rate should my powerhead be rated for? I'll be keeping zoanthids and softies

BrotherNature · 03/02/2017, 10:33 AM

What are the dimensions of your tank? Some of those powerheads out there can be kind of bulky. You probably don't want to spend an arm and a leg for one either.

kevin21 · 03/02/2017, 11:10 AM

A couple Koralia nanos facing each other on different sides of the tank will be more than fine for what you want. I forget what they are called though. Maybe Koralia nano 240? Cheap enough. Buying two and facing them towards each other should be a nice chaotic flow.

Austrarhyncus · 03/02/2017, 05:27 PM

The dimensions are 19 x 10.5 x 16 (so a little less than the 15 gallons I originally estimated.

A chaotic flow? Is that really needed for softies and Zoas?

kevin21 · 03/03/2017, 06:54 AM

Chaotic flow is good because it can keep detritus and such suspended in the air longer. The less build up under/inbetween the rocks or around the bottom the better. Most softies like moderate flow. Two koralia 240 wont be too much at all.

Austrarhyncus · 03/03/2017, 07:58 PM

True, I just don't want a giant whirlpool in my tank.

Thanks

CapeMayReefer91 · 03/04/2017, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austrarhyncus

I am trying to decide what filtration setup to use on my upcoming 15 gallon nano reef. My filter media is to be either activated carbon or Purigen, so it won't take up a lot of space, meaning that the filter shouldn't have too much space for media.

Thanks

I have a 15 gal nano without a skimmer . I used a filter sock, fudge with chaeto, and purigen that's it

Austrarhyncus · 03/04/2017, 02:01 AM

Thanks for your input, but I intend to equipment to a minimum, with just a couple powerheads, though I was originally going to have a hang-on refugium with chaeto.

JeffyT · 03/08/2017, 12:01 PM

in a 15g setup.

I would grab an aquaclear 70 if you have space, and just makeshift some filterfloss, the pads that come with it and some purigen.

Purigen is rechargable, never done it myself because 7 dollars every 3 months saves me more time and effort so i can stare at my tank.

I know a lot of people who will run a small bag of chemipure elite which is GFO and Activated carbon to help keep the water clear :]

my personal favorite right now is Purigen and Chemipure Elite. If you are trying to save money, water change.

I have the above filtration, a hob skimmer and i water change 3 gallons a week. in a 20g shallow, which after my rock and sand its probably only 14-15g water total.

Austrarhyncus · 03/25/2017, 04:15 AM

Filter floss acts as mechanical filtration, which I read is unnecessary in the long term in saltwater tanks, plus I don't want to keep changing the filter floss every 3 days.

Nothing beats water changes, which I'm sure will take care of most water problems. But should it become necessary, I'll utilise the media you mentioned (I have an unused bag of activated carbon, which I'll use with an HOB, if the water becomes cloudy).

Thanks for your input, btw.

02/28/2017, 05:45 PM	#1
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	Filtration system for 15 gallon? I am trying to decide what filtration setup to use on my upcoming 15 gallon nano reef. My filter media is to be either activated carbon or Purigen, so it won't take up a lot of space, meaning that the filter shouldn't have too much space for media. Thanks

03/01/2017, 06:40 AM	#7
kevin21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,208	Your live rock and water changes along with a protein skimmer should be all the filtration you need on a 15g nano. __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Waterbox 50g, Tunze 9004 dc skimmer, Vortech mp10, Kessil ap700

03/01/2017, 06:51 AM	#9
kevin21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,208	Yes of course. I have a 28g. I have a protein skimmer rated for up to 50 gallons. I was only doing monthly 5g water changes. Ran into issues. Hair algae, cotton candy algae etc. I started worrying about my filtration and flow. This was not the case. In such small tanks, weekly 5g water changes can make a worlds difference in nitrate/phosphate reducing. Not to mention if you are using a reef based salt like IO reef crystals (I recommend), you will be replacing alk/mag/ca at a nice efficient rate for your corals. In a 15, depending on the type of corals you us, you most likely will not need to even dose. For example, I keep some LPS, mostly softies, everything is thriving and all I do is my 5g weekly water changes along with running my skimmer. __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Waterbox 50g, Tunze 9004 dc skimmer, Vortech mp10, Kessil ap700

03/02/2017, 11:10 AM	#15
kevin21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,208	A couple Koralia nanos facing each other on different sides of the tank will be more than fine for what you want. I forget what they are called though. Maybe Koralia nano 240? Cheap enough. Buying two and facing them towards each other should be a nice chaotic flow. __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Waterbox 50g, Tunze 9004 dc skimmer, Vortech mp10, Kessil ap700

03/03/2017, 06:54 AM	#17
kevin21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,208	Chaotic flow is good because it can keep detritus and such suspended in the air longer. The less build up under/inbetween the rocks or around the bottom the better. Most softies like moderate flow. Two koralia 240 wont be too much at all. __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Waterbox 50g, Tunze 9004 dc skimmer, Vortech mp10, Kessil ap700

02/28/2017, 05:53 PM	#2
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	Little of both?

02/28/2017, 06:17 PM	#3
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	Are there any advantages to using both? Is it even safe to?

02/28/2017, 07:16 PM	#4
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	I might have misspoken , I was thinking of the Seachem product "sea gel" . It's a combination of activated carbon and phosguard. Check it out.

03/01/2017, 01:28 AM	#5
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	Will it counter chemical warfare between corals?

03/01/2017, 01:29 AM	#6
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	Also, is it rechargeable?

03/01/2017, 06:43 AM	#8
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	But would weekly water changes be enough to export the toxins from the corals?

03/01/2017, 11:04 AM	#10
PsychoticBeauty Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Gotham City Posts: 123	Like mentioned above the rock you put in the tank will be your primary biological filter. Having a protein skimmer will definitely help, but it's not really needed. Having a HOB filter is also a good idea if you ever need to run things like GAC or GFO. You can also put a sponge in this during your water changes to help polish the water for you. Once the tank is clear go ahead and remove it.

03/01/2017, 05:01 PM	#11
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	Yeh, the Red Sea salt is what I'll be using, according to the description, it contains all the trace elements needed, so yes, dosing won't be necessary. I do not have room for a protein skimmer, as my tank isn't one of those with a build in sump at the back, and an external sump would be impractical for such a small tank. An internal protein skimmer would be unsightly, so I'll just stick to water changes of around 30% per week. So pretty much all I need in terms of filtration is a good powerhead, quality live rock and a HOB for temporary use after water changes?

03/01/2017, 05:39 PM	#12
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	Yes

03/01/2017, 06:10 PM	#13
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	Cool, what flow rate should my powerhead be rated for? I'll be keeping zoanthids and softies

03/02/2017, 10:33 AM	#14
BrotherNature Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: California Posts: 39	What are the dimensions of your tank? Some of those powerheads out there can be kind of bulky. You probably don't want to spend an arm and a leg for one either.

03/02/2017, 05:27 PM	#16
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	The dimensions are 19 x 10.5 x 16 (so a little less than the 15 gallons I originally estimated. A chaotic flow? Is that really needed for softies and Zoas?

03/03/2017, 07:58 PM	#18
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	True, I just don't want a giant whirlpool in my tank. Thanks

03/04/2017, 02:01 AM	#20
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	Thanks for your input, but I intend to equipment to a minimum, with just a couple powerheads, though I was originally going to have a hang-on refugium with chaeto.

03/08/2017, 12:01 PM	#21
JeffyT Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Fountain Valley, CA Posts: 263	in a 15g setup. I would grab an aquaclear 70 if you have space, and just makeshift some filterfloss, the pads that come with it and some purigen. Purigen is rechargable, never done it myself because 7 dollars every 3 months saves me more time and effort so i can stare at my tank. I know a lot of people who will run a small bag of chemipure elite which is GFO and Activated carbon to help keep the water clear :] my personal favorite right now is Purigen and Chemipure Elite. If you are trying to save money, water change. I have the above filtration, a hob skimmer and i water change 3 gallons a week. in a 20g shallow, which after my rock and sand its probably only 14-15g water total. __________________ 30g IM Nuvo - Retired 08/2012-04/2016 It was a very expensive lesson :P Current Project: 20gL JBJ AIO Frag Tank \| Shallow Reef Livestock : 3 Clown Fish, Rose BTA, Flame Shrimp Current Tank Info: 20gL JBJ Shallow Reef

03/25/2017, 04:15 AM	#22
Austrarhyncus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 112	Filter floss acts as mechanical filtration, which I read is unnecessary in the long term in saltwater tanks, plus I don't want to keep changing the filter floss every 3 days. Nothing beats water changes, which I'm sure will take care of most water problems. But should it become necessary, I'll utilise the media you mentioned (I have an unused bag of activated carbon, which I'll use with an HOB, if the water becomes cloudy). Thanks for your input, btw.