Filter Upgrade suggestions

So, i've been running the liverock/skimmer method on a 55g tank for a couple years now no problem. Granted all i had were some tuff a$$ damsel's and a now thriving colony of metallic shrooms. Anyhow, i just recently upgraded to a 75g (thanks to my fiancee!) and finally am thinking about actually doing something a lil more cool. However, thinking my current filter setup probably wont be enough. I was thinking about building a wet/dry setup and possibly incorporating a UV steralizer as well. Any thoughts?

For now, i'm more or less doing a FOWLR(and mushrooms) BUT would love to be able to do more corals once i get around to upgrading my lighting. Will probably be a long while before that happens though.

 

If you have enough rock and a good skimmer there is really no need for a wet/dry. Are you planning on really overstocking or something? Otherwise IMO a wet/dry is just more stuff to maintain and isn't really necessary.

I would probably look into a GFO and/or carbon reactor before doing a wet/dry, or getting some nice powerheads or something.

 

+1...filter not needed. Just get a good skimmer. I like the idea of natural refugiums better than a wetdry sump. A UV sterilizer would be a good addition regardless.

 

Agree with everyone else. Skip the wet dry in favor of a refugium. The benifits for a reef tank are huge.

Why are you planning on changing anything. Have you been testing your water since youv had your system running? If you havent had bad reading I would keep your tank running just the way you had it. Dont fix something thats not broken.

 

In a reef tank, the LR is the bio filter, and the skimmer is the waste removal. I don't hate W/D like some, but they really are not needed in a reef tank. A fuge, good skimmer, and LR is a great setup.

The only thing a W/D gives you is a bio media and aeration. Quick Ammonium breakdown, but then you still need to get rid of the nitrates. Most give a place to run filter floss, but I hate maintenance and don't use any mech filters. Most folks toss the bio balls and use it as a sump. So no real need for a W/D for what a W/D is designed to do. There are better ways to skin the cat.

 

Hey epsilon, I personally like the wet/dry. I have this this for my 55 gal. MegaFlow Sump Model 1 I take it you were going for an overflow? That particular wet/dry sump in the link forces the water down to the bottom where the slits are and really produces great oxygenated water. You could hang the skimmer and turn the middle section into a refugium if you like. I like the over flow system for mine although mine is built in.

 

I think you may want to consider adding a refugium to your system, but besides that you seem to be in good shape. I would not waste my money on a uv sterilizer. Most don't run enough water through them to be very effective, it's just another piece of equipment you need to clean and maintain. Some people totally put their trust in them, but as long as you keep your water good quality and feed healthy, nutritous foods, you should have no problems with disease.

 

OK... reason i was thinking this was that i've only have 3 little damsel's and figured stocking up on bigger better fish and corals would just naturally need more filtration than what i was currently running. I do like the refugium/uv sterilizer idea much better anyway.

 

Bacteria is what breaks down waste. They will grow enough for what ever bio load is maintaining them. LR is all that is needed for that. The population will grow as you add fish.

How much live rock do you have?

W/Ds break down the waste to nitrate.... but you still need to get rid of the nitrate. A W/D will not do that. LR will, and a sand bed as well. You need oxygen depleted zones for that to happen. That is why folks keep saying LR. After that it is just a matter of water changes.

 

That is debatable. I would disagree with this statement. Not saying they hurt, I just question their usefulness.

Yes, how much live rock you have is key. How much? You might need more. And depending on much fish you want, you may need even more...

The bacteria will grow as you add waste - this may or may not correlate to adding fish... it's a small difference, but can make a difference in planning. But spot on, they will grow to match the bio load. i.e. that's the nitrogen cycle. It is always happening and adjusting itself as needed. forever and ever.

A good refugium will also remove nitrates. The best weapon against nitrates is to limit adding them (food (flakes), etc.).