Advice on filtering

esprit09 · 10/07/2010, 03:54 PM

I've had my 29 gallon set up for about 2 years now with this filter:
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...9&pcatid=16729

and thats my only means of filtration. I know i should be running some sort of skimmer; which i was running a Aqua C Remora for a few months but I couldn't get it to skim properly, so all it did was make noise. I wanted to run some sort of sump setup with an overflow box but i only have an area 14x11 to work with under my cabinet. Any suggestion on what route i should go? I would love to get all the stuff off the back hanging and give it a cleaner look. Hope this makes sense! Thanks!

bbprinting · 10/07/2010, 08:32 PM

Whats taking up the rest of the space under the cabinet to only leave you 14 x 11?

Lynnmw1208 · 10/07/2010, 09:36 PM

that filter says it has a surface skimmer on it? is that different from a protein skimmer?

ir_danno22 · 10/07/2010, 09:53 PM

What kind of tank do you have and what are you keeping? df

kalapnath · 10/08/2010, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynnmw1208

that filter says it has a surface skimmer on it? is that different from a protein skimmer?

a surface skimmer is basically an overflow box it's the same

kalapnath · 10/08/2010, 02:23 AM

you can probably use one of these the only thing you will see is the outlet and inlet tubes.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=10946

esprit09 · 10/08/2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbprinting

Whats taking up the rest of the space under the cabinet to only leave you 14 x 11?

The stand is split in 2, one side is open and one side is shelves, and i'm assuming if i took out the partition in the middle it would compromise the structural integrity of the stand.

esprit09 · 10/08/2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ir_danno22

What kind of tank do you have and what are you keeping? df

29 gallon mixed reef

ir_danno22 · 10/08/2010, 11:09 AM

you can probably jam a 5.5 or 10 gallon breeder tank in there to use as a sump to hold a skimmer, heater, auto top off and return pump. i use a small CPR overflow box on my 10 gallon and it works well to get water to my sump/fuge. you may want to make a custom box to fit in that area if the 5.5 gallon won't fit.

esprit09 · 10/08/2010, 06:00 PM

Can i essentially make a sump out of plexiglass?

ir_danno22 · 10/08/2010, 10:00 PM

Sure can. Since it's going to be relatively small it shouldn't be a problem. If you can get acrylic that would be best or just have a custom one built.

Everyones Hero · 10/08/2010, 11:33 PM

Why not just go with a HOB fuge & HOB skimmer?

With that small of a space under the cabinet it really isn't worth the effort of building a sump because it'll hold such a small volume of water. You won't be able to get any equipment inside of it.

In the DIY section I've even seen people turn HOB filters like the one you have into micro-fuges.

esprit09 · 10/09/2010, 02:16 PM

Good deal! Thanks for the tip, ill have to check it out.

esprit09 · 10/09/2010, 03:11 PM

Think im gunna get a aquaclear filter and mod it into a fugem think i should use the 70 or step up to the 110?

aleonn · 10/09/2010, 04:23 PM

I actually use an AquaC Remora for my 37g and think it's great. If you still have it lying around, the noise may be due to the impeller on the pump? Either way, a fuge would be ideal, whether it's inside your stand, or plumbed to a different room.

Everyones Hero · 10/09/2010, 08:02 PM

Before buying an aquaclear & modding it have you looked into the pre-made HOB fuges? What about the classifieds for a premade one or a used HOB filter? I just ask because I know it's a little pricey to buy one of those brand new & then just hack them up. :P

Did you lower the collection cup or clean out the nozzle of the Remora? I know they use that weird jet spray type deal to make the foam & if the nozzle gets clogged up it won't work that well.

esprit09 · 10/09/2010, 10:45 PM

Yeah i didn't plan on buying anything new, i think a new ac 110 is like 90 bucks! And I messed with the skimmer for at least a week trying to get it to skim right and it just wouldn't pull anything or make any foam. Took it out for a few months, cleaned it with a water vinegar solution and gave it another shot and still nothing. Idk whats up with it.

Everyones Hero · 10/09/2010, 11:09 PM

That's why I said to look into a used one. :P

Here's a link to the CPR Aquafuge: http://www.marineandreef.com/CPR_Aqu...FQY65QodJScAjA

If you're into DIY it might be a good idea to study some of the pics & make your own. You'd probably only need a sheet of acrylic, a power head, some tubing to get water into it, & a clamp light for the macro algae. Seems like a very simple project to be honest.

10/07/2010, 03:54 PM	#1
esprit09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 15	Advice on filtering I've had my 29 gallon set up for about 2 years now with this filter: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...9&pcatid=16729 and thats my only means of filtration. I know i should be running some sort of skimmer; which i was running a Aqua C Remora for a few months but I couldn't get it to skim properly, so all it did was make noise. I wanted to run some sort of sump setup with an overflow box but i only have an area 14x11 to work with under my cabinet. Any suggestion on what route i should go? I would love to get all the stuff off the back hanging and give it a cleaner look. Hope this makes sense! Thanks!

10/07/2010, 09:36 PM	#3
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	that filter says it has a surface skimmer on it? is that different from a protein skimmer? __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

10/07/2010, 09:53 PM	#4
ir_danno22 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Cali Posts: 288	What kind of tank do you have and what are you keeping? df __________________ Nano Cube DX, 40 Breeder. Current Tank Info: Nanocube 28DX reef with AI sol, Aqueon 40 gallon breeder Feb 2011.

10/08/2010, 11:09 AM	#9
ir_danno22 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Cali Posts: 288	you can probably jam a 5.5 or 10 gallon breeder tank in there to use as a sump to hold a skimmer, heater, auto top off and return pump. i use a small CPR overflow box on my 10 gallon and it works well to get water to my sump/fuge. you may want to make a custom box to fit in that area if the 5.5 gallon won't fit. __________________ Nano Cube DX, 40 Breeder. Current Tank Info: Nanocube 28DX reef with AI sol, Aqueon 40 gallon breeder Feb 2011.

10/08/2010, 10:00 PM	#11
ir_danno22 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Cali Posts: 288	Sure can. Since it's going to be relatively small it shouldn't be a problem. If you can get acrylic that would be best or just have a custom one built. __________________ Nano Cube DX, 40 Breeder. Current Tank Info: Nanocube 28DX reef with AI sol, Aqueon 40 gallon breeder Feb 2011.

10/07/2010, 08:32 PM	#2
bbprinting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 29	Whats taking up the rest of the space under the cabinet to only leave you 14 x 11?

10/08/2010, 02:23 AM	#6
kalapnath Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 69	you can probably use one of these the only thing you will see is the outlet and inlet tubes. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=10946

10/08/2010, 06:00 PM	#10
esprit09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 15	Can i essentially make a sump out of plexiglass?

10/08/2010, 11:33 PM	#12
Everyones Hero Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Leonardtown, MD Posts: 1,154	Why not just go with a HOB fuge & HOB skimmer? With that small of a space under the cabinet it really isn't worth the effort of building a sump because it'll hold such a small volume of water. You won't be able to get any equipment inside of it. In the DIY section I've even seen people turn HOB filters like the one you have into micro-fuges.

10/09/2010, 02:16 PM	#13
esprit09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 15	Good deal! Thanks for the tip, ill have to check it out.

10/09/2010, 03:11 PM	#14
esprit09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 15	Think im gunna get a aquaclear filter and mod it into a fugem think i should use the 70 or step up to the 110?

10/09/2010, 04:23 PM	#15
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	I actually use an AquaC Remora for my 37g and think it's great. If you still have it lying around, the noise may be due to the impeller on the pump? Either way, a fuge would be ideal, whether it's inside your stand, or plumbed to a different room.

10/09/2010, 08:02 PM	#16
Everyones Hero Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Leonardtown, MD Posts: 1,154	Before buying an aquaclear & modding it have you looked into the pre-made HOB fuges? What about the classifieds for a premade one or a used HOB filter? I just ask because I know it's a little pricey to buy one of those brand new & then just hack them up. :P Did you lower the collection cup or clean out the nozzle of the Remora? I know they use that weird jet spray type deal to make the foam & if the nozzle gets clogged up it won't work that well.

10/09/2010, 10:45 PM	#17
esprit09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 15	Yeah i didn't plan on buying anything new, i think a new ac 110 is like 90 bucks! And I messed with the skimmer for at least a week trying to get it to skim right and it just wouldn't pull anything or make any foam. Took it out for a few months, cleaned it with a water vinegar solution and gave it another shot and still nothing. Idk whats up with it.

10/09/2010, 11:09 PM	#18
Everyones Hero Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Leonardtown, MD Posts: 1,154	That's why I said to look into a used one. :P Here's a link to the CPR Aquafuge: http://www.marineandreef.com/CPR_Aqu...FQY65QodJScAjA If you're into DIY it might be a good idea to study some of the pics & make your own. You'd probably only need a sheet of acrylic, a power head, some tubing to get water into it, & a clamp light for the macro algae. Seems like a very simple project to be honest.

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