filtration for predator tank

[fragout]

hello-
I'm setting up a 55 gallon fish only predator tank consisting of an eel, grouper, and lionfish with some live rock and a dsb. What to you guys recommend for filtration. I want to avoid wet/dry filtration and sump/refuge filtration. I was looking more into a good canister filter that is not too expensive. Any suggestions?

FRAGOUT

[aquaman3680]

I would not go with a canister filter unless you get a protein skimmer. Canister filters will lower your pH, but if you have a protein skimmer then they will kind of balance out. I would do a remora skimmer and a 280 emperor biowheel, and you would be set for filtration

[BoomerD]

For a FOWLR Predator tank, a wet-dry is actually a good thing. You'll need an efficient protein skimmer, and rely on water changes to control nitrates, but this is one application where a wet-dry is a good thing...

[fragout]

Boomer-If I have enough live rock in the tank what can a wet/dry do for me. I know the bioballs consist of nitritfying bacteria, but so does the live rock. i just don't understand how a wet dry can benefit me.

[BoomerD]

Mostly, just another, more aggressive biological filter. Predators are notoriously messy eaters, and you need excellent filtration to keep ammonia levels in check. PLUS, having a sump gives you a place for a better quality protein skimmer than you'll ever get in HOB.

[fragout]

The reason why I'm setting this predator tank up, is b/c my reef tank can't sustain my eel and grouper's feeding habits. So I wanted to set up a nice tank on my corner coffee table, with a simple fitration system. The wet dry seems to be too bulky and would be visible under the coffee table. I'll try to think up of a another solutuion, but my guess would be that i'll probably end up buying a wet/dry, any suggestons on which wet/dry would be good for a 55gallon predator tank?

[billyr98]

i run an agressive FOWLR tank.. I am running a skimmer, sump and an ocean clear canister filter.. I love this combination.. the canister filter also has an UV built in...

[Cartman89]

My first tank was a 55gal with a chainlink eel, volitan lionfish, and a strip puffer. I had for filtration: Emporer 400, powerhead, and did 10gal water changes almost every week. I look back at it now and yeah the water parameters were farily well (about .20ppm for nitrates) but boy, that emporer was crap! Now I have a 125gal with a skimmer, sump, refugium, powerheads, carbon, and I do water changes when ever I think is nessecary. I have in the 125gal a volitan lion, goldentail eel, porcupine puffer, Niger trigger and nitrates have rarely ever went pass .18ppm