My option 29 gal or 55 gal - what kind of filter?

satchking · 06/07/2010, 10:47 AM

My situation...
I was given a 55 gallon corner tank with a canister filter for free. It does not have an overflow on it. My desire is to set this up as a saltwater tank without making any customizations.. i.e cutting the glass, etc. I really want to use this tank so don't advise me to sell it and get something bigger because I don't want to do that for various reasons. The corner tank has limited space because of built in shelves and they take up 3/4 of the underneath space only allowing for just about as much room for a canister filter and that's about it. Well maybe a little more room but not much.

I've also got a 29 gallon freshwater that is currently in use and has been running successfully for about 10 years now. This one has plenty of space underneath and actually sits in a corner so lots of room behind it too. So swapping tanks could be a possibility.

I'd sort of rather use the 55 gallon for the saltwater because its ready for setup. But if my better bet is to use the 29 I'd be willing to do that. If I use the 55 gallon for a saltwater setup, is the canister filter sufficient? I would love to do corals but at the same time, I just want to keep this simple. Maybe a fish only with live rock would work in this kind of setup? What would you do? I'd be willing to get a different filter if needed too. I just want to be successful which is why I'm doing lots of research before I go for it.

thegrun · 06/07/2010, 11:03 AM

You would likely need to add in-tank pumps (Koralia) for additional flow. It would also be helpful to add a hang on the back skimmer. The problem with not modifying the corner tank is that you will need to have most of your equipment (heaters, skimmer, pumps) exposed to view. Only you can decide if that look is acceptable to your tastes.

crazylegs · 06/07/2010, 11:15 AM

People use any size/shape of aquarium for reef tanks. It all comes down to what you want and what method works best for you. I would say that the 55 corner take will provide you with best surface area. A canister filter would be a great addition to any filtration system, but it may not be enough by itself. I would use it for phosphate removing media, and suplemental carbon once in a while. Your best bet, either way, is to consider getting a protein skimmer. You should be able to find a HOB style that can accomodate 55g. This will help maintain water quality in between water changes. Since you don't want to make mods or add a sump or refugium, consider in-tank methods of denitrification. Like the Deep Sand Bed(DSB) method or plenum method.

Don't use any biomedia in your canister unless you are willing to clean it out weekly. Use phosphate remover and run carbon for one week per month or so.

Buy a good quality skimmer. Don't skimp here if you can help it. Hang On Back style that surface skims would be perfect.

Research the Berlin method, Deep Sand Bed method, and Jaubert method. Decide which one you feel is best for you.

This will get you started with either fish or corals, but you will have to consider lighting when looking at corals.

Palting · 06/07/2010, 11:51 AM

Between a 29 or a 55 for reef, the answer is the bigger the better. The larger the water voume, the more stable the system is (I sound like yoda).

Cannister filters are fine for starters, just make sure the pre-filters don't go biologic. That means cleaning the prefilters weekly. Biologic media don't really need to be cleaned that frequently since they need to hold your bacteria, but they can get loaded with detritus over time. When you do need to clean or replace them make sure to do it a piece at a time to avoid spikes.

As crazylegs said, you'll need to research a lot. Whatever it is you know about freshwater, it does NOT pertain to saltwater.

babarney · 06/07/2010, 01:38 PM

I would go with the 55 and put a hang on protein skimmer. I have a 40 gallon reef tank that has been up for a month and a half with this setup and it's doing great so far. I would also go with live rock for the biological filtration as it seems to be less maintenance and just a better option all around. If you're strapped for cash like I am you can buy dry rock for a reasonable price and seed it with a small amount of live rock. I have a reef octopus bh-100 skimmer that I picked up for $60 on craigslist that works great. I have also heard that aqua c remora's work well but that they are a little noisier than needle wheel skimmers.

06/07/2010, 10:47 AM	#1
satchking Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1	My option 29 gal or 55 gal - what kind of filter? My situation... I was given a 55 gallon corner tank with a canister filter for free. It does not have an overflow on it. My desire is to set this up as a saltwater tank without making any customizations.. i.e cutting the glass, etc. I really want to use this tank so don't advise me to sell it and get something bigger because I don't want to do that for various reasons. The corner tank has limited space because of built in shelves and they take up 3/4 of the underneath space only allowing for just about as much room for a canister filter and that's about it. Well maybe a little more room but not much. I've also got a 29 gallon freshwater that is currently in use and has been running successfully for about 10 years now. This one has plenty of space underneath and actually sits in a corner so lots of room behind it too. So swapping tanks could be a possibility. I'd sort of rather use the 55 gallon for the saltwater because its ready for setup. But if my better bet is to use the 29 I'd be willing to do that. If I use the 55 gallon for a saltwater setup, is the canister filter sufficient? I would love to do corals but at the same time, I just want to keep this simple. Maybe a fish only with live rock would work in this kind of setup? What would you do? I'd be willing to get a different filter if needed too. I just want to be successful which is why I'm doing lots of research before I go for it.

06/07/2010, 11:51 AM	#4
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Between a 29 or a 55 for reef, the answer is the bigger the better. The larger the water voume, the more stable the system is (I sound like yoda). Cannister filters are fine for starters, just make sure the pre-filters don't go biologic. That means cleaning the prefilters weekly. Biologic media don't really need to be cleaned that frequently since they need to hold your bacteria, but they can get loaded with detritus over time. When you do need to clean or replace them make sure to do it a piece at a time to avoid spikes. As crazylegs said, you'll need to research a lot. Whatever it is you know about freshwater, it does NOT pertain to saltwater. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

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06/07/2010, 11:03 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	You would likely need to add in-tank pumps (Koralia) for additional flow. It would also be helpful to add a hang on the back skimmer. The problem with not modifying the corner tank is that you will need to have most of your equipment (heaters, skimmer, pumps) exposed to view. Only you can decide if that look is acceptable to your tastes.

06/07/2010, 11:15 AM	#3
crazylegs Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 174	People use any size/shape of aquarium for reef tanks. It all comes down to what you want and what method works best for you. I would say that the 55 corner take will provide you with best surface area. A canister filter would be a great addition to any filtration system, but it may not be enough by itself. I would use it for phosphate removing media, and suplemental carbon once in a while. Your best bet, either way, is to consider getting a protein skimmer. You should be able to find a HOB style that can accomodate 55g. This will help maintain water quality in between water changes. Since you don't want to make mods or add a sump or refugium, consider in-tank methods of denitrification. Like the Deep Sand Bed(DSB) method or plenum method. Don't use any biomedia in your canister unless you are willing to clean it out weekly. Use phosphate remover and run carbon for one week per month or so. Buy a good quality skimmer. Don't skimp here if you can help it. Hang On Back style that surface skims would be perfect. Research the Berlin method, Deep Sand Bed method, and Jaubert method. Decide which one you feel is best for you. This will get you started with either fish or corals, but you will have to consider lighting when looking at corals.

06/07/2010, 01:38 PM	#5
babarney Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 126	I would go with the 55 and put a hang on protein skimmer. I have a 40 gallon reef tank that has been up for a month and a half with this setup and it's doing great so far. I would also go with live rock for the biological filtration as it seems to be less maintenance and just a better option all around. If you're strapped for cash like I am you can buy dry rock for a reasonable price and seed it with a small amount of live rock. I have a reef octopus bh-100 skimmer that I picked up for $60 on craigslist that works great. I have also heard that aqua c remora's work well but that they are a little noisier than needle wheel skimmers.