[DBSunited]

I have a 75 Gal reef tank, there is around 200 pounds of live rock in the tank. The tank is 2+ years old. There is 9 fish that live in the tank with about 7 pieces of coral in the tank right now and mushrooms all over the tank. I wanted to know what The best Filtration system for a reef tank is.

For the past two year I have bin running a Eheim wet/dry filter and a Fluidized bed filter.

I want to expand my tank and get more coral. I was told that a Mud filter would be the best thing for a reef tank. I was also told that I would not need another type of filter on the tank that this filter would do the job. The Live rock would take care of everything else.

I also have a problem with nitrates and phosphates, I was told that this would solve my problem.

Is it better to have a Wet/dry filter a Mud filter (Refugium wet dry), or my canister wet dry filter.

I would like to change my system, as long as it is better for my tank.
Thanks for the help.

[Bob]

First how often are you cleaning the Eheim?

With that amont of rock you don't need much.

What about your skimmer?

Bob
Administrator
Pets-Warehouse.com

[DBSunited]

I have a Aqua-C Remora skimmer.

I clean the Eheim every two to three months.

[Frank M. Greco]

In all probability, it's the wet/dry and the fluidized bed filters that are causing your nitrtate/phosphate problem. In a working reef tank, you want all the biological filtration to occur via the live rock. Any other type will produce nitrtate in excess of what the live rock can handle. I believe that if you slowly remove all external biological filtration, your nitrate and phospahte levels will drop. As to the mud system, some people like them. I have not used them, but have found that the more simple the setup, the better the water quality. Let's deal with one variable at a time, and not add even more filtration to the tank.
Also, are you using a deep sand bed? If not, you might want to consider it. DSB's, once established, work very well at reducing nitrate. You will want to use a fine oolitic aragonite sand for this purpose. Do not use gravel as it is not as effective.

As to cleaning your Eheim, think of it as your kitchen garbage pail. How often would you empty it if it was continually filling with rotting garbage? Often, I'm sure. Same with your filter. It collects garbage that slowly rots away, adding to both the nitrtate and phosphate levels. Mechanical filters should be cleaned at least once a month. Chemical filters, such as carbon, should also be changed on a similar schedule.

Frank M. Greco
Professional Aquarist
http://www.franksaquarium.com
The Freshwater Shrimp Farm

[DBSunited]

Yes, I have a DSB. There is 60 pound of live sand in the tank. As for the Fluidized Filter They said when I bout it that it makes the Nitrites and ammonia go down.

I was not thinking about adding to my filters on my tank I was thinking about getting rid of them and just have a Refugium wet dry on the tank. What I have bin reading is that it is the best filter for a reef tank and it is the only filter that you need. It helps lower everything on your tank and that it is a Natural way of cleaning your tank.

What I want to know is this true and is it better then what I have. I think that it will solve my problem with my tank and have less room for error. It is just very expensive.
What are you guys oppinion on them.
Thanks

[Bob]

Yes it works fine but it is a high end toy that is not needed.

Bob
Administrator
Pets-Warehouse.com

[DBSunited]

I know it is a high end toy but if it does everything that they say it does then wouldn't it be something that is needed? If you think about it you spend $270 on a Wet Dry for a 75Gal tank. Then you spend at least $150 on a Skimmer and I have a Fluidized bed as well witch was $100 or so that's a price of $520. Now some of the site that I have read say you would not need a Skimmer anymore with a Refugium wet dry. Refugiums cost around 300 for a pretty good one. But is it that much better then the set up that I just listed (Wet dry, Skimmer, and Fluidized bed)? I even read that most Wet Dry keep up you nitrates and phosphates when a Refugium keeps those down.
what is your oppinion on it?
Thanks