Power filter for reef aquarium?

[silverfly]

Hi All,
I have been researching my bum off to make sure I set up my first saltwater tank properly. I originally wanted to get a canister filter because I plan to have a significant amount of live rock and only really needed the mechanical and chemical filtration. However, I will be placing my aquarium on a "mantle" in my house and there is no storage space below for any sump setups or canister filters. I ultimately want a reef setup, but I'm starting slow.

So here are my questions:

1. Can I use a power filter to effectively filter my saltwater tank?
2. Can I still use a canister filter that sits at the same level as my aquarium?
3. Will a power filter and protein skimmer be sufficient filtration for a reef aquarium?

Thanks!

 

[Bifferwine]

Are you sure it's going to be okay on a mantle? A gallon of saltwater weighs approximately 9 pounds. Add in 1 to 2 pounds per gallon of live rock, and a few extra pounds for sand, and you're looking at even a small tank weighing several hundred pounds! I wouldn't recommend putting a saltwater tank on anything but the floor, or a sturdy stand!

 

[silverfly]

Sarah,
It's not really a mantle. It's more like a counter top. It's hard to explain, but it can handle the weight. I have my 46g on top of it right now.

 

[Bifferwine]

Oh okay. Then you may want to look into one of the all-in-one setups that will hide all your equipment. Some popular brands are Red Sea Max and BioCube.

If not one of those, then you can definitely use a hang-on-back protein skimmer. I would advise against using a power filter or canister filter at all. They are hard to maintain and often lead to poor water quality in reef tanks. If you have live rock, then a good protein skimmer will be all the filtration you need. It's very rare to see a reef tank that uses a canister filter or power filter because they just don't work well for saltwater and are often counter productive.

 

[silverfly]

What fun is that? If you're gonna go saltwater, might as well go big. 75g or bust! :)

I'm looking into doing live rock (1lb per gallon) and a protein skimmer. Now I just have to find a quality skimmer that will fit in the space I have.

 

[Melosu58]

IMO I would just go with LR and a skimmer. That`s all you need to have a good SW tank. Later on if you decide to get a Refugium that will be a plus.

 

[reeffreak]

The live rock will be your biological filter.You can use the canister on a part time basis for chemical/mechanical filtration.The power filter will be just a waste of money.If you don't have a canister already consider a reactor instead.The flow rate is generally too high in canisters to be effective chemical(carbon,GFO) filters.Maybe something like this.

Aquarium Phosphate Control: PhosBan Reactor and Parts from Two Little Fishies

 

[silverfly]

Cool, thanks. I think I'll go for the live rock / skimmer route. I'm looking at the Turboflotor skimmer. It seems to be perfect for my setup which will be hanging on the back of the tank.

 

[rwynn]

I might suggest more than 1lb/gallon LR Something closer to 1.5 - 2/g

 

[OhNoNemo]

Maybe even a couple HOB emperors to get you started.I had 2 400's on my 75 for the first year or so.They worked great.Oh,i don't really want to burst your bubble,but a 75 in the salt world really is not that big of a tank.Also ,check CL in your area,always tons of used stuff on it.....cheap too.