Filtration For 16 Gal

[mandi]

I've decided to go with a 16 gallon bow front tank for my nano reef project. I'll be using a 150 watt Outer Orbit pendant light for lighting. I haven't purchased ANY other equipment yet.

Someone suggested to me that I use a sump filtration setup to increase the overall water volume and make the tank more stable. That makes sense to me, but I know *NOTHING* about sumps and unfortunately don't have a LFS (just moved) that is helpful in explaining things like that. What equipment would I need to buy for it? Is it hard to set up?

I checked the filtration section of the FAQ but I guess I'm still a little confused.

Or should I not use a sump at all and just go with lots of live rock and sand and some type of HOB filter?

 

[kkyyllee]

you dont need a sump, i suggest you go with 1.5/lb lr per gallon, and mod a hob filter in a fuge with cheato algea

 

[fiskkeeperpro]

well i have a 12 gal, and im going to go with an external canister filter because the marine expert at my lfs reccomended me to do that, that may be an option for you but of course there are many others...

 

[kkyyllee]

canister filters arent very good for reef tanks

 

[shibby]

depends on how you run it ... surely a canister with live rock and carbon or rowaphos in isnt going to be bad for a reef tank. will also supply some flow rate too.

 

[Danno]

depends on how you run it ... surely a canister with live rock and carbon or rowaphos in isnt going to be bad for a reef tank. will also supply some flow rate too.

Thats what I do in my reef. I have a Fluval canister filter with one bucket of chemipure, one bucket or phosguard, and one bucket of live rock. It is working pretty well so far.

 

[@ombomb]

If you have the time / space / inclination to use a sump then it's definitely worth doing. I have a small sump for my 24G and it makes life so much easier when it comes to water changes etc, hide all the equipement, is somewhere to propogate mushrooms, increases the water volume and is absolutley teeming with pods.

 

[steelhealr]

I agree with ombomb..and..if not a sump...the BEST thing you can add for your tank is a REFUGIUM. It makes all the difference in the world.

All you need technically, if you go back to the link above..is live rock and a powerhead for circulation. Nothing confusing about that.

HOWEVER, adding a HOB filter gives you place to put various media, like phosphate binders. These, as omb suggested, can be put in a sump.

SH