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Filtration strategies for BB tanks?


Axiomatic

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Hello all, I've been lurking for quite some time now, doing a ton of research and reading and window shopping and drooling , in preparation for my first SW tank, a 15g column. I've got spreadsheets out the whazoo tracking all the different equipment, livestock, and maintenance items I'll need plus prices, but there is one area that remains fairly opaque to me. And that's filtration of the tank. There are just so many different overall strategies and types, and within each type there are just seemingly endless products. So since I seem to be spinning my wheels on this topic, thought maybe I could learn from the community here.

 

The tank will be a BB system to cut down on maintenance, to be a simpler ecosystem, and to prevent tank crashes. I will have 18-20 lbs rock, half of which will be live, the other half dry. Since sandbeds do provide nutrients when used I would assume that BB tanks inherently have less self-generated nutrients so my fear is that I could OVER filter a BB. Or maybe I need less bio filtration and more mech and or chem filtration. Or maybe I'm overthinking this. My current plan is to get a HOB unit like an Aquaclear 50 or Fluval C2 when I first start the tank and eventually get a surface skimmer if it looks like I need one. But what do I put in the HOB power filters? Do I need chaeto if I have no sand? Will a combination of filter floss > ChemiPure > Purigen suffice?

 

What are people here using on their BB tanks for filtration and are they happy with the results?

 

Thanks for any and all help. Dreaming of starting this tank soon.

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NorthGaHillbilly

I have ~25# of LR in my system, ~50 gal total, overskim, and feed heavily. You can always add nutrients, but taking em out is usually the problem.

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So complicated. Why not just go for something simple like Marine Pure to take care of ANN, and then something else to take care of phosphates and tada?

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I certainly want to steer clear of an overly complicated filter system that requires too much maintenance, too much $$ replacing various media, and, most importantly, is not the right configuration for a healthy 15g BB tank.

 

Azedenkae, what media and order would you use in an HOB filter? Tank > GFO > Marine Pure > Tank? No filter floss needed?

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You said 15g column tank? Dimensions? Might make a difference.

 

All you really need is liverock and flow. Really.

 

An AC70 would be great though. I have one mounted on the end of a 10g and it works great. I keep it at full speed and it has lots of flow. I have sponge in the AC70 now that was in my main DT with some floss too. You could use the chamber of the AC70 for filter media (carbon, purigen, whatever) and to mount your heater. There are tons of AC70 mods out there too. InTank makes a tony basket as well.

 

If you are worried about a BB being nutrient poor, just feed more!

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@Cjjon The tank is 13.5"x13.5"x24" (high). For flow, I'm planning on two Koralia nanos pumps, one near the bottom and the other 3/4 up with the AC70 or C2 at the top. I'm fairly certain that should be more than enough flow. My main concern is overfiltering and taking out nutrients the livestock needs. I'm less worried about underfiltering, but do want to make sure I take out the bad stuff.

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@Cjjon The tank is 13.5"x13.5"x24" (high). For flow, I'm planning on two Koralia nanos pumps, one near the bottom and the other 3/4 up with the AC70 or C2 at the top. I'm fairly certain that should be more than enough flow. My main concern is overfiltering and taking out nutrients the livestock needs. I'm less worried about underfiltering, but do want to make sure I take out the bad stuff.

 

Worry less, enjoy more! At this point you are really worrying about something that might not even be an issue. If it is an issue, it is quite simple to fix. Get the tank up and running and see how it goes. Probably a moot point.

 

The AC70 has two down tubes for the intake, so the intake will reach down fairly far, so you are good there. Also, you can easily modify to be a surface skimmer with the addition of a length of PVC sealed at one end with slots cut in the other. Stick the AC70's intake into the pipe and Bob's Your Uncle!

 

Again, lots of mods for the AC70, it is a very good HOB filter for the money.

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You know, you're probably right. I'm fixating on this too much. I should get the AC70 and use the stock filtration it comes with and see how things go. I can always swap different media in and out as needed or convert it to a refugium down the line.

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