Is this ok.

[Dubbs]

Ok, so I decided to get the 56 gallon tank.

Now for filtration, Im going to get a wet dry/sump set up. Hooked up to a SCWD. My question is, would it be ok to have a wet dry and a bio wheel HOB hooked up? The HOB would be set up in the main tank too catch the free flowing debris.

[WaterKeeper]

I'd skip the HOB in a SW tank. They tend to breed bacteria you really don't want. Use Natural filtration and you'll have a far healthier tank.

[cside]

I'd skip the HOB in a SW tank. They tend to breed bacteria you really don't want. Use Natural filtration and you'll have a far healthier tank.

+1 all you really need is a good protein skimmer and a good fuge. i would be worried about the wet/dry because it can have the same effect

[disc1]

You can use the HOB for mechanical filtration with some floss in it but you should take the wheel off of it.

[Sugar Magnolia]

You can use the HOB for mechanical filtration with some floss in it but you should take the wheel off of it.

+1. I use an HOB filter to add minimal extra water volume and to run carbon and GFO.

[WaterKeeper]

cside,

I am never a proponent of the use of a wet/dry on a SW tank. There are far betten methods to filter the tand. I never like risking a nitrate factory in a tank.

[sporto0]

I just love the term "nitrate factories" given to certain types of proven filters, fact is nitrates are a natural part of the water cycle, you will have nitrates no matter what filter you use or don't use, the trick is to keep your ppm to a minimum. aquaclear hob filters are fantastic at removing floating debris as well as a great place to put carbon etc.
wet dry filters used to be the only choice for saltwater enthusiasts, now all of a sudden the bio balls are "nitrate factories"? all aquariums require maintenance & that includes filters, clean them out thoroughly every 2 months and they will perform wonderfully for you and will NOT produce an excess of nitrates.

[streak]

I just love the term "nitrate factories" given to certain types of proven filters, fact is nitrates are a natural part of the water cycle, you will have nitrates no matter what filter you use or don't use, the trick is to keep your ppm to a minimum. aquaclear hob filters are fantastic at removing floating debris as well as a great place to put carbon etc.
wet dry filters used to be the only choice for saltwater enthusiasts, now all of a sudden the bio balls are "nitrate factories"? all aquariums require maintenance & that includes filters, clean them out thoroughly every 2 months and they will perform wonderfully for you and will NOT produce an excess of nitrates.

I'll even top that by saying that a reverse undergravel filter(aka) plenem filter suposedly is a nitrate factory too but if used properly and maintained works really well. Just have to vac the top layer of sand every so often.
I used reversed undergravel in freshwater for years. All you have to do is read how to properly maintain each system. This is IMHO.. But I belive a good skimmer is a must even for small nano type tanks.

[Dubbs]

Thanks for all the replys, so I guess a HOB bio wheel would be fine.. As long as I keep up with the maintenance?

[sporto0]

thanks for all the replys, so i guess a hob bio wheel would be fine.. As long as i keep up with the maintenance?


+ 1 & I agree a skimmer is a must for any reef tank

[Michael]

wet / drys are fantastic for predator or fish only tanks, brilliant at removing ammonia quickly and great for oxygen as well, I would recommend them in that case as one of the best filtration methods, but they should be avoided at all costs really if you want a coral reef IMO, as they will not deal with the nitrate very well and you will regret using one on a reef.

[sporto0]

wet / drys are fantastic for predator or fish only tanks, brilliant at removing ammonia quickly and great for oxygen as well, I would recommend them in that case as one of the best filtration methods, but they should be avoided at all costs really if you want a coral reef IMO, as they will not deal with the nitrate very well and you will regret using one on a reef.


please enlighten me on what filters "deal" with nitrates? filters do not reduce nitrates, water changes, refugiums & skimmers do. btw i have 2 wet/dry filters on my reef, with no regrets.

[ed102475]

please enlighten me on what filters "deal" with nitrates? filters do not reduce nitrates, water changes, refugiums & skimmers do. btw i have 2 wet/dry filters on my reef, with no regrets.

I think it's more that Bio-balls are just not needed in a tank that has allot of live rock more than anything . Why would I want to take out and clean Bio-balls when they dont do any better than the rock in my tank . Not needed xtra work.

[ed102475]

and $$ :)

[WaterKeeper]

The key to nitrate removal is having anoxic (low oxygen) areas in the tank. Nitrate reduction does not occur in oxygenated areas. Only when oxygen is very low do bacteria use the oxygen from nitrate to metabolize what they eat.

[Michael]

please enlighten me on what filters "deal" with nitrates? filters do not reduce nitrates, water changes, refugiums & skimmers do. btw i have 2 wet/dry filters on my reef, with no regrets.

live rock and flow will allow beneficial bacteria to colonise and convert ammonia to nitrite to nitrate and away to harmless nitrogen gas which is the nitrogen cycle, a wet dry won't be able to stop nitrate from getting out of control in most cases as bioballs which are great IMO for fish only tanks are poor at doing that, and as tom mentioned wet/ drys are high in oxygen and you can see his reason about lower oxygen levels.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Thanks for all the replys, so I guess a HOB bio wheel would be fine.. As long as I keep up with the maintenance?

Just take the biowheel off.

[Ceebuano]

live rock and flow will allow beneficial bacteria to colonise and convert ammonia to nitrite to nitrate and away to harmless nitrogen gas which is the nitrogen cycle, a wet dry won't be able to stop nitrate from getting out of control in most cases as bioballs which are great IMO for fish only tanks are poor at doing that, and as tom mentioned wet/ drys are high in oxygen and you can see his reason about lower oxygen levels.


+1, Bio filtration all the way