Sump, live rock, canister filtration?? help!

usmcr0811 · 08/31/2007, 01:35 PM

I don't have a lot of money left to spend at this point and still need some sort of filtration method. have a 75 gallon tank and am not sure what type and how to set up my filtration. I have options of using 4 different tanks for this, I have a 55, 29, 20 long, and a 10. I was thinking about using the 29 for the sump but don't know what the best filtration method is. I currently have a via aqua pro cannister that came with the 75 gallon tank. I was also thinking maybe I could use live rock in the sump and put in some baffles myself. Should I set up the 55 and use the canister filter for that and just use a live rock base on my 75....can anyone help me???

Sk8r · 08/31/2007, 01:44 PM

It very much depends on what sort of tank you're keeping.

I have a 54g reef with fish. I use no mechanical filtration at all: I have a 30g sump with chamber 2 as a refugium: the big ball of cheato there, with live rock and sand, that stops it stops any large particulates, and the critters that live there eat it. And with an end-baffle [over/under heater chamber] that prevents any stray cheato from getting into my pump chamber.

If you want a fish-only tank, you may need a cannister. Otherwise, just get enough rock and sand, set up a fuge, and you're golden.

stingythingy45 · 08/31/2007, 01:51 PM

Not too sure what you're asking here.
Seems like you have a lot of tanks to play around with.
I would pick a tank that fits your budget.Perhaps sell some of the others and use that money to set up one tank.Perhaps the 20L will work for you and keep the 75 or 55 handy.The 20 L is easy to light and a simple HOB will work on it and you can get enough LR to get a good biological system going.Then when money allows you can move everything into the 55 or perhaps the 75.You'll already have cycled LR and substrate that you can use for the bigger tank.....JME.

usmcr0811 · 08/31/2007, 04:31 PM

My plan was to get the 75 as a FOWLR set up as soon as possible and I think I have decided to use the 29 as a sump. I don't know if I should set up a refugium or a wet/dry filter or if I can mix one of these methods with my cannaster or if there are any other options. Im looking for the best setup to keep at least one larger fish such as a tang and bunch of smaller fish such as Clowns, Damsels etc while spending the least amount of money (DIY would probably save me a bunch). I just don't know what methods to uswe and exactly how to get it all set up.

08/31/2007, 01:35 PM	#1
usmcr0811 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ogden, Ia Posts: 244	Sump, live rock, canister filtration?? help! I don't have a lot of money left to spend at this point and still need some sort of filtration method. have a 75 gallon tank and am not sure what type and how to set up my filtration. I have options of using 4 different tanks for this, I have a 55, 29, 20 long, and a 10. I was thinking about using the 29 for the sump but don't know what the best filtration method is. I currently have a via aqua pro cannister that came with the 75 gallon tank. I was also thinking maybe I could use live rock in the sump and put in some baffles myself. Should I set up the 55 and use the canister filter for that and just use a live rock base on my 75....can anyone help me???

08/31/2007, 01:44 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	It very much depends on what sort of tank you're keeping. I have a 54g reef with fish. I use no mechanical filtration at all: I have a 30g sump with chamber 2 as a refugium: the big ball of cheato there, with live rock and sand, that stops it stops any large particulates, and the critters that live there eat it. And with an end-baffle [over/under heater chamber] that prevents any stray cheato from getting into my pump chamber. If you want a fish-only tank, you may need a cannister. Otherwise, just get enough rock and sand, set up a fuge, and you're golden. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/31/2007, 01:51 PM	#3
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Not too sure what you're asking here. Seems like you have a lot of tanks to play around with. I would pick a tank that fits your budget.Perhaps sell some of the others and use that money to set up one tank.Perhaps the 20L will work for you and keep the 75 or 55 handy.The 20 L is easy to light and a simple HOB will work on it and you can get enough LR to get a good biological system going.Then when money allows you can move everything into the 55 or perhaps the 75.You'll already have cycled LR and substrate that you can use for the bigger tank.....JME. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

08/31/2007, 04:31 PM	#4
usmcr0811 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ogden, Ia Posts: 244	My plan was to get the 75 as a FOWLR set up as soon as possible and I think I have decided to use the 29 as a sump. I don't know if I should set up a refugium or a wet/dry filter or if I can mix one of these methods with my cannaster or if there are any other options. Im looking for the best setup to keep at least one larger fish such as a tang and bunch of smaller fish such as Clowns, Damsels etc while spending the least amount of money (DIY would probably save me a bunch). I just don't know what methods to uswe and exactly how to get it all set up.