Please help!!!!

Umm, I'm a little confused by what you mean. The purpose of a filter is to filter water, thus filtering water as it goes through the filter media. I personally like the AquaClear HOB's. They allow for plenty of room to add filter media that will actually help your tank.

 

Your tank is doing just fine. Whenever you add new flow to an area, the sand bed will most likely be disturbed. It will settle down over time, no need to worry.

 

Hi,

You will be ok. Just take things one step at a time.
Remember, there are three kinds of filtration- mechanical, chemical, and biological. If you have all three you will be on the right track.

Here is my Hang on filter, It does all three methods.


Plus I also have 40 pounds of sand and 20 pounds of live rock.

Its all about patience. It will take weeks to notice a change.

Just let your tank cycle naturally without fish until you have everything down with confidence. When you do decide to get fish, do not get a damsel! that's a beginner's common mistake. They are too aggressive and when it comes time to remove them, they are too fast and you will have to remove all of your Live rock to catch them.

Sumps are for those who want to expand their water volume which will result in a more consistent water quality. And it is used to hide all the equipment and for a refugium.

You dont have to have one but if you have a big enough tank, then it will come in handy. Once I get situated, I will get rid of my filter hang on box and make a DYI overflow and sump that I can make by reading the posts on the DYI section on this forum.
Hope this helps you

 

I not gonna filter without the carbon or gfo in it, point being there needs to be a form of media in there. That was kinda confusing. The filter itself won't filter anything by water just passing thru it alone. I have a aquaclear 30 on my tank, and it's awesome little piece of equipment.

 

if no one has answered your threads or questions for a while you know there is a search bar up at the top of the page that is very helpful some times. also any search engine is bound to come up with countless results, you just need to put in the time and effort to answer these questions yourself that is the best way.
then when you really cant find anything and find yourself at a dead end you always can ask us. or just ask us anyway because really anything can be posted online.

 

How do you use GAC, like, where do you put it?

 

Thanks so much, you have helped me a lot! I've been researching a lot and asking a lot of people different questions, but you were super helpful.

Overall, i will have
a protein skimmer
a power head
a aqueon hang on filter
live rocks (5 pounds live)
30 pounds of dry rock
4 inches of live sand
a heater
a thermometer
all for a 36 gallon tank

does that sound good? is that all? it sound like its right

 

I put mine in my HOB just like the carbon. ;D

 

That is a really good start. Go with a good heater so it don't short out on you. I would look into the Hydor circulation pumps (power heads) and possible change out the aqueon HOB for an AquaClear. Do you know what kind of skimmer you want?

 

yeah, this one
65 GALLON PROTEIN SKIMMER
i heard it was good, and its cheap. but i would love some better suggestions for a protein skimmer thats around 100 dollars.

Koralia Hydor Koralia Evolution Circulation Pump Aquarium Powerheads should i just get 2 of these then? for my tank?

i have an aqueon heater and those work really well for me, (i have them in my other tanks)