Filtration for fish only tank

polaraligned · 09/29/2006, 07:06 PM

I have read so many different opinions about filtration
that my head is spinning. I have a 180 to set up for
fish only. Will live sand and live rock be of any benefit??
My dealer says use BioBalls. Are they OK for a fish only
tank? Also, is a UV sterilizer worthwhile on a fish only?
Not using live sand and rock will save me a lot of money
and I would rather not use them if they are of little benefit.
My dealer says used crushed coral. Any opinions?

Thank You,
Scott

cybertec69 · 09/29/2006, 07:29 PM

forget the Bio Balls, Nitrate magnets, go with Live Sand and Live Rock, and a good skimmer, when was the last time you saw the Ocean run with Bio Balls.

ledford1 · 09/29/2006, 08:02 PM

Fish only implies that there is no LR, if you do have both, then you have a FOWLR.

I think you'll find keeping a SW tank much easier with LR. Let LR and a hefty skimmer take care of your filtration. Anything else is just bonus.

marcrunner · 09/30/2006, 01:07 AM

I agree. Lots of live rock and a big skimmer. My nitrates are always non existant. I also like the fact that this setup is so simple.

drummereef · 09/30/2006, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by polaraligned
I have read so many different opinions about filtration
that my head is spinning. I have a 180 to set up for
fish only. Will live sand and live rock be of any benefit??
My dealer says use BioBalls. Are they OK for a fish only
tank? Also, is a UV sterilizer worthwhile on a fish only?
Not using live sand and rock will save me a lot of money
and I would rather not use them if they are of little benefit.
My dealer says used crushed coral. Any opinions?

Thank You,
Scott

Sounds like your LFS want to sell you the crap he can't unload on someone else to me! The deep sand bed and live rock will be plenty for the bio filter. Just make sure you have 1-2lb/gallon of rock in there. Crushed coral is a BAD idea. Go for a fine aragonite like Carib-Sea Aragamax Select for your dsb. So, a dsb, live rock, good skimmer, plenty of flow, and sufficient lighting will get you started. Keep researching! I think you could benefit more from finding yourself a knowledgeable LFS. Hopefully you'll have better luck.

polaraligned · 09/30/2006, 03:58 AM

Thanks for your input. I will go for live sand and live rock.
And get a big a** protein skimmer. Any skimmer recomendations?
The system volume will be about 245 gallons.
I have heard that there are good ones and bad ones but
no clear recommendations.

Scott

cybertec69 · 09/30/2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by polaraligned
Thanks for your input. I will go for live sand and live rock.
And get a big a** protein skimmer. Any skimmer recomendations?
The system volume will be about 245 gallons.
I have heard that there are good ones and bad ones but
no clear recommendations.

Scott

try a www.lifereef.com , mine has been doing a great job for 5 years now, set it and forget it.

ledford1 · 09/30/2006, 09:35 AM

So it sounds like you'll have a sump?

Put you skimmer there. EuroReef and ASM are great in-sump skimmers.

There are many ways to run a successful tank, so you don' t have to take anyone exactly for their word as "This is the only way." You can use LR or not; you can go DSB, SSB, or BB; you can use ozone or a UV or neither; add a fuge... So you still need to do some research to see what best fits your application and what you want to do with your tank.

Just keep asking questions and reading.

09/29/2006, 07:06 PM	#1
polaraligned Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 42	Filtration for fish only tank I have read so many different opinions about filtration that my head is spinning. I have a 180 to set up for fish only. Will live sand and live rock be of any benefit?? My dealer says use BioBalls. Are they OK for a fish only tank? Also, is a UV sterilizer worthwhile on a fish only? Not using live sand and rock will save me a lot of money and I would rather not use them if they are of little benefit. My dealer says used crushed coral. Any opinions? Thank You, Scott

09/29/2006, 07:29 PM	#2
cybertec69 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 315	forget the Bio Balls, Nitrate magnets, go with Live Sand and Live Rock, and a good skimmer, when was the last time you saw the Ocean run with Bio Balls. __________________ 120gal Mixed reef Lifereef sump LF1-125 and Skimmer VS-36 CPR Hang-On Refugium FB300 Fluidized Bed Filter Sunlight Supply MH+T5's AquaFX Baracuda 4 Stage RO/DI SeaChill by Teco TR20- 1/3 Chiller Current Tank Info: 125 Gal Mixed Reef

09/30/2006, 03:58 AM	#6
polaraligned Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 42	Re: Re: Filtration for fish only tank Thanks for your input. I will go for live sand and live rock. And get a big a** protein skimmer. Any skimmer recomendations? The system volume will be about 245 gallons. I have heard that there are good ones and bad ones but no clear recommendations. Scott

09/29/2006, 08:02 PM	#3
ledford1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,241	Fish only implies that there is no LR, if you do have both, then you have a FOWLR. I think you'll find keeping a SW tank much easier with LR. Let LR and a hefty skimmer take care of your filtration. Anything else is just bonus.

09/30/2006, 01:07 AM	#4
marcrunner Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Folsom Posts: 309	I agree. Lots of live rock and a big skimmer. My nitrates are always non existant. I also like the fact that this setup is so simple.

09/30/2006, 09:35 AM	#8
ledford1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,241	So it sounds like you'll have a sump? Put you skimmer there. EuroReef and ASM are great in-sump skimmers. There are many ways to run a successful tank, so you don' t have to take anyone exactly for their word as "This is the only way." You can use LR or not; you can go DSB, SSB, or BB; you can use ozone or a UV or neither; add a fuge... So you still need to do some research to see what best fits your application and what you want to do with your tank. Just keep asking questions and reading.