What to do???

I'm tearing all of the old filter stuff out of a pre drilled 72 bow front. I was wondering what the latest schools of thought were on filtering. I've been doing alot of research on the differant methods and it seems to depend on who you ask. I did see the Eshopps filters and thought they looked nice. I have a 4-5 inch sand base, 100lbs of live rock and would like to use my existing skimmer and heater in the sump area. I have soft corals and fish as well as a hand full if inverts. Any advice would be helpfull.

 

All I am currently am using is my skimmer. Everything else is done the natural way. I am also a fan of a good refugium.

 

I would say if you have 100lbs of LR 4 to 5" sand bed and sump with a skimmer. You should be fine with what you have.

 

With your skimmer for the mechanical and live rock and sand for the biological filtration...everything seems to be in check...you may want to add chemical filtration to the mix, however, by adding carbon and phosphate remover IMO!

 

Thanks! So the sump with the sock, one sponge which I assume is to reduce the micro bubbles, skimmer, and carbon. Do you add anything else to the sump to improve the overall condition of the water? Colurpa, more live rock, live sand?

 

by colurpa i assume you are referring to macroalgae caulerpa ?

Macroalagae need a lower flow area (ie a fuge/refugium) to live as well as lighting (on a reverse timer from your tank - to keep it from going sexual)

LR + sand are fine as is

You could consider adding another tank next to your sump (the fuge). These help reduce nitrates, but if you don't have any problems...I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I would set up a canister filter in the sump so you would get good mechanical/chemical filtration.

 

wow lucky pre drilled,,,, 72 gal,,, bowfront if you ever sell LET ME KNOW !!! You are talking about my reality dream tank.....

 

Thanks for all the help!

 

Seriously Give me a PM!! lol