Filters vs protein skimmers

lilouisianagal · 03/06/2015, 10:45 PM

Currently have aqueon HOB filters for both my tanks. I just ordered
Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 1 Hydor Koralia Nano 425 Aquarium Circulation Pump (425 GPH) for the 36 gallon and 2 Hydor Koralia Evolution 550/600 Aquarium Circulation Pump (550-600 GPH) for the 55 gallon, and a Tunze USA 3152.000 Automatic Top off Nano Osmolator for each tank.

Ouch.

Now one of my filters is starting to make a funny noise. So should I replace it when it dies? I've heard Fluval is a good brand, any others? Should I get a HOB, a canister, an underwater, or go with a protein skimmer? Kinda trying not to spend all the money.

lilouisianagal · 03/06/2015, 10:52 PM

FOWLR for both tanks, no intention of ever having reef.

lilouisianagal · 03/07/2015, 10:24 AM

Any recommendations?

Jade5051 · 03/07/2015, 12:50 PM

Check craigslist or ebay. You can probably find a good used skimmer or canister filter around you at a very reasonable price. I try to avoid HOB equipment but I know for those who don't have a lot of money and are looking to do things quick and cheaply it's usually the best option. What does the bioload on these tanks look like? How many fish do you have and what is the general setup? Livesand, liverock? How much? Any carbon or gfo?

lilouisianagal · 03/07/2015, 01:24 PM

No fish in the 36 gallon right now, but I had 3 (2 damsels and a clown) in there before along with a CUC. I don't remember how many pound of LR, but I don't think I could fit any more. Live sand in both tanks. 55 gallon has slightly less LR. 2 clowns, 2 chromis, a dottyback, and a CUC.

No gfo and only have carbon in the HOB.

bklynreef123 · 03/08/2015, 05:23 PM

Get a HOB skimmer used.

C3hutson · 03/08/2015, 08:27 PM

If it's a choice between mechanical filtration and a skimmer, always choose a skimmer.

ColinAbi · 03/08/2015, 08:43 PM

Don't get a canister filter. I had one for my FOWLR and it was a nitrate power house. You need to clean it very often for it to not produce nitrates.

03/06/2015, 10:45 PM	#1
lilouisianagal Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 45	Filters vs protein skimmers Currently have aqueon HOB filters for both my tanks. I just ordered Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 1 Hydor Koralia Nano 425 Aquarium Circulation Pump (425 GPH) for the 36 gallon and 2 Hydor Koralia Evolution 550/600 Aquarium Circulation Pump (550-600 GPH) for the 55 gallon, and a Tunze USA 3152.000 Automatic Top off Nano Osmolator for each tank. Ouch. Now one of my filters is starting to make a funny noise. So should I replace it when it dies? I've heard Fluval is a good brand, any others? Should I get a HOB, a canister, an underwater, or go with a protein skimmer? Kinda trying not to spend all the money.

03/06/2015, 10:52 PM	#2
lilouisianagal Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 45	FOWLR for both tanks, no intention of ever having reef. __________________ 36 gallon FOWLR: 2 Clownfish (est. 2011) 55 gallon FOWLR: Resetting up (est. 2009)

03/07/2015, 10:24 AM	#3
lilouisianagal Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 45	Any recommendations? __________________ 36 gallon FOWLR: 2 Clownfish (est. 2011) 55 gallon FOWLR: Resetting up (est. 2009)

03/07/2015, 12:50 PM	#4
Jade5051 That guy... Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,218	Check craigslist or ebay. You can probably find a good used skimmer or canister filter around you at a very reasonable price. I try to avoid HOB equipment but I know for those who don't have a lot of money and are looking to do things quick and cheaply it's usually the best option. What does the bioload on these tanks look like? How many fish do you have and what is the general setup? Livesand, liverock? How much? Any carbon or gfo? __________________ The dream that is now a memory - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550891

03/07/2015, 01:24 PM	#5
lilouisianagal Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 45	No fish in the 36 gallon right now, but I had 3 (2 damsels and a clown) in there before along with a CUC. I don't remember how many pound of LR, but I don't think I could fit any more. Live sand in both tanks. 55 gallon has slightly less LR. 2 clowns, 2 chromis, a dottyback, and a CUC. No gfo and only have carbon in the HOB. __________________ 36 gallon FOWLR: 2 Clownfish (est. 2011) 55 gallon FOWLR: Resetting up (est. 2009)

03/08/2015, 05:23 PM	#6
bklynreef123 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 71	Get a HOB skimmer used.

03/08/2015, 08:27 PM	#7
C3hutson Moved On Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 358	If it's a choice between mechanical filtration and a skimmer, always choose a skimmer.

03/08/2015, 08:43 PM	#8
ColinAbi Hola Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 614	Don't get a canister filter. I had one for my FOWLR and it was a nitrate power house. You need to clean it very often for it to not produce nitrates.