1st-Time Marine --- Filtration Help Needed

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LostAcc

Gambusia
MFK Member
May 23, 2011
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Cape Town, South Africa
Hi Peeps, I just ordered my marine tank this morning, without giving it much thought (as usual lol). I'm not an expert freshwater fish-keeper, but I have kept my fair share over the years. That being said, I am definitely a noob when it comes to marine fish, so I am going to need all the help that I can get. 1st things 1st, I want to know a bit about the filtration.

The tank dimensions are 200cm x 60cm x 60cm
That works out to about 190 gallons (720l)

The sump dimensions are 140cm x 50cm x 50cm
That works out to about 92 gallons (350l)

Before getting too ahead of myself here, I was just wondering what would be a good additional filter to get, to compliment the sump filter. I already have a FX5 on one of my freshwater tanks, so I was thinking about getting another one for my marine setup. I know they aren't as good as the Eheim's, but they are quite a bit cheaper. I would rather over-filter than under-filter, so would the FX5 be a decent choice or should I rather look at something smaller maybe?

Also, what would be the best media for the sump filter and the potential FX5? . I plan to keep some mixed clown fish, corals and some anemones. Yeah, not exactly monster fish, I know.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
 
I suggest you do a lot more research on saltwater setups. You're going to want a protein skimmer, and the majority of your biological filtration will be done with live rock. You're also going to need some heavy duty lighting for corals in that size tank. Anonomes must be chosen carefully.
 
For a reef setup, your key filtration would be the protein skimmer as you want nitrates as low as possible (removing the organics before it decomposes and undergo the nitrogen cycle). Other great stuff include calcium doser, phosphate reactors.
 
There's a long list of equipment that can benefit a large reef system.

Another thing is you will likely want to invest in a nice RO/DI unit for your water.

You would also benefit from joining a reef-specific forum or two. Very few MFKers run saltwater, and even fewer run large reef setups.
 
The sump has a protein skimmer in it & I was thinking of getting another hang-on. I was just worried that it wouldn't be enough & that I maybe needed another large-volume filter unit. Mmmm, so should I leave out the fx5 then? - and thanks for the info on the liverock :)
 
First thing, don't use a canister. Just stick with the sump. So it sounds like the sump has no media with it? You can use bio balls. I like scrubby pads because they are cheap and work really good in my experience.

Depending on the corrals you may or may not need a calcium reactor. I would stay simple on your first salt tank and not get complicated corrals at first. Either way with any corrals you will need good light. There are a million options for light, I personally recommend LED's, they are a bit expensive initially but will pay for them selves in energy consumption and bulb replacement as with metal halide you should replace the bulbs twice a year which can get expensive and with LED's you don't have to change bulbs as they last a LONG time. Some of the nicer systems have useful features like setting and changing light intensity and color spectrum mixes as well as moon light effects and sun rise and set effects. I will give you a helpful tip. Get a nice unit that you can adjust the intensity of the lights, and get a unit that is a little overkill for your tank and run them at a lower intensity than max and the LED's will likely last you for ever.

A protein skimmer is definitely a good idea. If the one that comes with the sump is not big enough, I would sell it and get a bigger one over adding another one.

I would HIGHLY recommend an algae filter. On salt tanks they provide so many benefits it is very wise to run one. The problem is you would have to build one as you will not find a store selling them to my knowledge. But they are easy to build. They remove nitrates and phosphates, they help balance pH, they breed beneficial micro organisms that fish and corrals like to eat and they will help reduce the amount of algae that grows in the tank and they also highly oxygenate the water. I can not recommend them enough. I personally would not run a salt tank without one. I have seen full reef tanks do REALLY well with just rock (was not live when the tank was started), protein skimmer and an algae filter and good lighting.

An R/O unit is helpful but not required as you can get R/O water from local fish stores and even the grocery store. It is much more convenient and can be less expensive in the long run to have a unit at home.
 
Not to say that there are other good posts on here, but I am just going to reply...and maybe that will spur some discussion. There may be other good posts...but I have to run, so I will do a speed response while the OP is still online.

LostAcc;5158873; said:
Hi Peeps, I just ordered my marine tank this morning, without giving it much thought (as usual lol). I'm not an expert freshwater fish-keeper, but I have kept my fair share over the years. That being said, I am definitely a noob when it comes to marine fish, so I am going to need all the help that I can get. 1st things 1st, I want to know a bit about the filtration.

Alright, lets talk. :D

The tank dimensions are 200cm x 60cm x 60cm
That works out to about 190 gallons (720l)

Sweet. Nice big tank to start with...might be more work, but it will also be more forgiving when it comes to errors. Wish my tank was this big.

The sump dimensions are 140cm x 50cm x 50cm
That works out to about 92 gallons (350l)

Awesomeness. Nice big sump.

Before getting too ahead of myself here, I was just wondering what would be a good additional filter to get, to compliment the sump filter. I already have a FX5 on one of my freshwater tanks, so I was thinking about getting another one for my marine setup. I know they aren't as good as the Eheim's, but they are quite a bit cheaper. I would rather over-filter than under-filter, so would the FX5 be a decent choice or should I rather look at something smaller maybe?

You could use a canister as additional filtration, but you are going to want to clean it out at least once a month, most likely more. Canisters trap detritus, and nitrifying bacteria, which results in a lot of nitrogen. Unless you clean out the detritus regularly, you get the dreaded saltwater "nitrate factory". You can do a lot to customize your sump...what are you planning on having in it now?

Also, what would be the best media for the sump filter and the potential FX5? . I plan to keep some mixed clown fish, corals and some anemones. Yeah, not exactly monster fish, I know.

No worries, according to the most recent thread I saw, Monster has more to do with how cool your fish are as opposed to how big your fish, or your tank is.

I use purigen, matrix carbon, and soon to be seachems phos product in a media reactor in my sump...you could put the same stuff into your FX5...or into your sump. Purigen removes everything from the h2o column, is rechargeable, and very beginner friendly therefore.


Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
Click to expand...

As my last point, skimmers are a must IMO...Bigger is better, and it isnt the place to go cheap when setting up the tank.

Is your setup coming with one?

I recommend AquaC...I have used them personally on multiple tanks, at work, and converted friends and forum members over to them...I have yet to meet someone that was disappointed after converting.

GL with the new tank! :D
 
Wow, Thanks FLESHY :)

Mmmm, seems like the canister filter might be more of a bad idea, than a good one. My 2nd choice was going to be maybe a UV-light based filter unit, but that is probably a bad idea too lol, judging by my previous train of thought. With regards to the sump itself, I had no idea what was going in there (besides the protein skimmer of course). I read through the setup that you recommended lower down in your post, so I will probably use the exact same stuff in my sump (and leave out the FX5). I intend sparing no expense with regards to the protein skimmer, I already told the aquarium owner to get me the biggest & baddest one that he can source (and that I can afford lol). I have seen a couple in his shop for about 30k (SA Rands), probably like $10 lol. I will enquire by him, about the the AquaC skimmer. Do they make skimmers that fit in the sump, or do you not recommended an in-sump skimmer?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for all your help & info already :)
 
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