Resurrecting a 125g, question on filter

observer · 04-11-2006, 05:52 PM

I am returning to keeping a salt water aquarium after about a 7 year break. I have been reading the forum for a while now, and think I have a plan of attack to resurrect my 125g tank, but am confused on one thing.

Seems like no one uses a wet/dry filter any more with media. Will ample live rock/sand give me enough bacteria bed to support a reef tank with a few reef safe fish?

Should I consider a Fluidized Filter Bed device? How about one of those expensive canister filters that support bioloical media? Isn't that just bio balls in a can?

If I decide to go with FOWLR, does that change things?

Thanks.

Charlie97L · 04-11-2006, 06:01 PM

i'd forget the canister filter, the wet dry, the undergravel.

go with live rock/sand, and a protein skimmer. then base the frequency and amount of water changes on your bioload once things get settled in.

that should get you going! protein skimmers are the new thang! (well they are if you've been out of it for 7 years, anyway).

Woodstock · 04-11-2006, 06:02 PM

Wet/dry media (ex: bioballs) has been replaced by using rock & sand. Using 1- 1.5 lbs of rock per gallon will provide enough biological area for the nitrofying bacteria IN ADDITION to providing a deep pourous aenarobic area for NNR (natural nitrAte reduction). A fine sand bed will do the same. Don't forget a good skimmer!! They work great at removing disolved organics! You could use a canister filter to place any carbon or phosban in.

Neither a fluidized filter bed nor a canister filter is needed for the normal nitrogen cycle.... rely on your rock and sand instead.

Going FOWLR will eliminate the need for high lighting that corals will need but the same filtration I mentioned above works great.

Ohhh.... Welcome to Reef Sanctuary!!

Gina · 04-11-2006, 06:41 PM

Ditto to the above statements!
Welcome to our Sanctuary!

observer · 04-11-2006, 08:00 PM

Wow, thanks for the great replies. I appreciate it. I think this is going to be a great forum.

Witfull · 04-12-2006, 02:28 AM

welcome to RS~

04-11-2006, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
observer Tunicate Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 16 View Gallery Karma Komment	Resurrecting a 125g, question on filter I am returning to keeping a salt water aquarium after about a 7 year break. I have been reading the forum for a while now, and think I have a plan of attack to resurrect my 125g tank, but am confused on one thing. Seems like no one uses a wet/dry filter any more with media. Will ample live rock/sand give me enough bacteria bed to support a reef tank with a few reef safe fish? Should I consider a Fluidized Filter Bed device? How about one of those expensive canister filters that support bioloical media? Isn't that just bio balls in a can? If I decide to go with FOWLR, does that change things? Thanks.

04-11-2006, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Resurrecting a 125g, question on filter i'd forget the canister filter, the wet dry, the undergravel. go with live rock/sand, and a protein skimmer. then base the frequency and amount of water changes on your bioload once things get settled in. that should get you going! protein skimmers are the new thang! (well they are if you've been out of it for 7 years, anyway). __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

04-11-2006, 06:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,650 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Resurrecting a 125g, question on filter Wet/dry media (ex: bioballs) has been replaced by using rock & sand. Using 1- 1.5 lbs of rock per gallon will provide enough biological area for the nitrofying bacteria IN ADDITION to providing a deep pourous aenarobic area for NNR (natural nitrAte reduction). A fine sand bed will do the same. Don't forget a good skimmer!! They work great at removing disolved organics! You could use a canister filter to place any carbon or phosban in. Neither a fluidized filter bed nor a canister filter is needed for the normal nitrogen cycle.... rely on your rock and sand instead. Going FOWLR will eliminate the need for high lighting that corals will need but the same filtration I mentioned above works great. Ohhh.... Welcome to Reef Sanctuary!! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

04-11-2006, 06:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,833 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Resurrecting a 125g, question on filter Ditto to the above statements! Welcome to our Sanctuary! __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

04-11-2006, 08:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
observer Tunicate Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 16 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Resurrecting a 125g, question on filter Wow, thanks for the great replies. I appreciate it. I think this is going to be a great forum.

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