filter choices

[dro555]

I am a beginner aquarist and have been researching a set up for a saltwater 55 gallon tank with reef , invertebrates and fish. I have been conflicted for which types of filter would be best. I have been hearing a variation from canister, to wet dry to power hang on. Which will work best and help keep my saltwater fish/invertebrates healthiest?

 

[Psycho graphic]

A good skimmer and plenty of Live Rock along with either
Powerheads or Pumps for circulation will be your best form of filtration IMO.

 

[tosiek]

Utilizing a skimmer, LR/LS, and good water flow is probably one of the best ways to filter a reef. Along with adding a reactor for carbon and some sort of phosphate removal. Its usually the typical setup, LR in the display with plumbing to a sump/refugium underneath that houses 2x reactors for carbon and phosban along with a skimmer.

going wet/dry or a canister variation is going to produce a trap for detrius and waste which will add trates and Po4 to your tank which you don;t want.

 

[drperetz]

I am a beginner aquarist and have been researching a set up for a saltwater 55 gallon tank with reef , invertebrates and fish. I have been conflicted for which types of filter would be best. I have been hearing a variation from canister, to wet dry to power hang on. Which will work best and help keep my saltwater fish/invertebrates healthiest?

This post has been updated.

I think you should research a RR (reef ready) system. This will begin a good path of choosing the right equipment. Make sure that you get a system that will be affordable to you since you will have to invest in some important top quality equipment. Focus on filtration and good lighting. No canisters will be necessary. Better to invest in a good water filtration unit. Preferably an RO/DI filter. This will produce the top quality water conditions to jump start your awesome system. Never use tap. A sump (another smaller aquarium) will allow you to create more surface area for your water to circulate and will assist you with the right space to place your important additional equipment. Best to have an in-sump skimmer. Dont hesitate to spend more than $300+++ on 1 of the brand names. A good strong plumbing to support all the entering and exiting of water from the overflows in your tank, to the return from your sump. Lights...Do spend enough money on a good brand lighting. This will not only make your tank into an eye candy but will give your corals a reason for growth. T5s with parabolic reflectors would be a good choice, or for better growth, metal halides would do the job right. Water circulation is important. Especially if you have space inside your aquarium where water movement is not present. Dont put any thing into the system unless its live rock and salt water, or other forms of aquarium reef rock for the first 4-6 weeks. Be patient with the cycle and test daily to see the cycle change your water parameters. Its best to record your set up in words or in form of photography or videos. Always ask questions...! Start thinking what you would rather see, an aggressive tank or a community tank. Not enough time to cover all the major importances since there is so many. Many people choice "reef crystals" for salt. Plan how your system will look. Great example would be looking at out members tanks (especially tanks of the month, or looking at some scuba diving videos and mimicking the actual reef with your reef system. We have a book club with some summaries of a great book called "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Bob Fenner. These summaries should be the fundamental step to your $$ spending since you will already know whats important and what is a waist. Try to focus first on essential equipment as I already said, it will help you avoid over spending in the future and in some cases, stop disasters!!!. Safety is first. Too much to describe. Planing is the best beginning you can start. Avoid advice from most local fish stores ( unless they have a great reputation with MR and other on line communities).
Good luck with your system...:beer:

 

[reefman]

"canister, to wet dry to power hang on" r all bad choices 4 a reef in my opinion.
also if u can , get a 75 RR instead of 55. u'll thank me in the future.