Question about filtering sequence

[gp2700]

hi people,

I'm in process of setting up a tank (4x1.5x1.5 - courtesy of sis Ming69).

So far, I've gotten the tank & a Ehiem 2028. Am thinking of adding sump tank but am quite confused by the sequence of filtering.

When the water flows from the main tank to the sump tank, what filter should it goto first ? I read elsewhere that the water should be processed by a protein skimmer first, then filter through the mechanical, biological & ???? (one more is what huh? can't rem liao) then it goes to a reservoir then to a chiller then a pump to go back to the main tank. But yet when i see some sump setups, it seems to be filtered first then goto the protein skimmer. Which is right ?

Logically, if it's prefiltered first, then the skimmer don't have to work so hard ? So why not prefilter first ?

What is recommended for the sump media and how much ? i.e 3 kg LR, 1kg crushed oyster shells, stuff in 2in of cotton etc etc

[comycus]

Logically, mechanical filter first. Fish sucked by overflow, end up in the first compartment at least maybe still can swim abit (stretch imagination abit), go to your protein skimmer? *shudders, milo milk* After skimmer, go to chiller and return back up to tank.

Moving on, you can choose to add biological filtration after your 1st compartment (mechanical). If you have enough live rocks in your tank, you can skip this. Or kiasu, add more LR, or Biohome, or bio balls etc. I would recommend Biohome. 1kg is more than enough. Next up, chemical filtration. Carbon, phosphate removing media are 2 more popular media that some reefers use. Can research more to see if it suits your style. They are typically placed after biological filtration. A more effective (expensive) approach is to use 2 x Fluidized reactor so you can adjust the different flow requirements of these media.

At the end of the day, KISS method works well. (Keep it simple) all the best! research research research! You're on the right track.

[RockyBoy]

Yes tue..kep it simple.

For my sump, the overflow will go to filter wool to collect all the dirt. Then go to cheato farm or other nutrient export.

Then some water is pumped into skimmer to remove the proteins, and the skimmer return is throw back in the sump.

Then I have fluidised reactors for po4 and carbon GAC (now not in used) . Then I have a few kilos of (big version) biohome for denitrification purposes. Then some water is pumped into the chiller and returned back. Then water is pumped to the main tank.

[mopiko]

Yes tue..kep it simple.

For my sump, the overflow will go to filter wool to collect all the dirt. Then go to cheato farm or other nutrient export.

Then some water is pumped into skimmer to remove the proteins, and the skimmer return is throw back in the sump.

Then I have fluidised reactors for po4 and carbon GAC (now not in used) . Then I have a few kilos of (big version) biohome for denitrification purposes. Then some water is pumped into the chiller and returned back. Then water is pumped to the main tank.

hi rockyboy

how useful is biohome in addition to having more live rocks? was told to place some in the sump too. which colour did you buy? think got 2 types.

[Solo77]

think is white vs orange brown. Think orange brown, etc is newer. subject to correction.

[comycus]

the grey or red ones both serve the same function. Red ones more expensive because they contain extra elements or something like tt to encourage bacteria growth in new tanks. In my dictionary, it's pure marketing. I started my tank with the cheaper, grey ones and never looked back.

Live rocks, biohome, any of them serve the same function of biological filtration. Not enough LR? Biohome is a good addition you can put in sump. Kiasu? Have lots of live rocks and lots of biohome. You can utilize both in your tanks. Note that biohome recommends placement in cleaned water and in the dark.

[gp2700]

Thanks for all the replies ! It was very helpful & detailed !

Then is there any recommended placement of filter media ? i.e mechanical first, followed by biological then chemical or in any order is fine ?

I intend to get my tank up and running as a fish only tank first then move on to corals, currently only have dried "live rocks" (dead? haha) in the tank.

Where is the cheapest place get live rocks ? Do you guys just stack it up or glue it on using aquarium expoxy ?

[RockyBoy]

hi rockyboy

how useful is biohome in addition to having more live rocks? was told to place some in the sump too. which colour did you buy? think got 2 types.

My liferocks are already so much, yet I still put biohome. I always believe in more places for the bacteria to live in.

I bought the bigger type, normal colour, because I think the smaller type is not deep enough to house the aenerobic bacteria.

My previous setup having 8inches DSB. Really works in contolling nitrates. So this biohome is to compensate the non-dsb setup of my new tank.

[RockyBoy]

think is white vs orange brown. Think orange brown, etc is newer. subject to correction.

There are 2 types. The coloured ones are with nutrients for the bacteria to kick start faster.

[RockyBoy]

Thanks for all the replies ! It was very helpful & detailed !

Then is there any recommended placement of filter media ? i.e mechanical first, followed by biological then chemical or in any order is fine ?

I intend to get my tank up and running as a fish only tank first then move on to corals, currently only have dried "live rocks" (dead? haha) in the tank.

Where is the cheapest place get live rocks ? Do you guys just stack it up or glue it on using aquarium expoxy ?

I would prefer to be mechanical first.

You can get 1 piece of good quality liverock from coralfarm, etc as a seed for your dead rocks. No need to expoxy your rocks. Make sure they do not topple easily.

[andylee]

For me, i use filter wool in first compartment to collect all the bigger particles like uneaten food etc. then water will flow down still in same compartment full of LRs.

2nd compartment filled with LRs and chaeto and skimmer feeder.

3rd compartment is return pump (to tank & chiller), water returning from skimmer. water back from chiller goes directly to main tank.

still considering to use FR in 3rd compartment or to use algae scrubber

[gp2700]

Thanks for the helpful answers people, appreciate it !

i have been searching for LR pricing these few days and wow, they are expensive! A friend of mine who does diving and fish keeping told me it's dirt cheap from where he came from. I can't imagine paying $15/kg for LR ... makes me wanna goto the beach during low tide and get me own LR to cure ...

how much LR is recommended for a 4x2x2 anyway?

[teebs]

Where did you get the price of $15/kg for LR? That's far too expensive already. Why don't you get the LR from the pasar malam section? How much LR you need depends on how you want to scape your tank. 50kg should be sufficient.

[[V]tEc]

Where did you get the price of $15/kg for LR? That's far too expensive already. Why don't you get the LR from the pasar malam section? How much LR you need depends on how you want to scape your tank. 50kg should be sufficient.

i believe he ask from coral farm....

[[V]tEc]

Thanks for the helpful answers people, appreciate it !

i have been searching for LR pricing these few days and wow, they are expensive! A friend of mine who does diving and fish keeping told me it's dirt cheap from where he came from. I can't imagine paying $15/kg for LR ... makes me wanna goto the beach during low tide and get me own LR to cure ...

how much LR is recommended for a 4x2x2 anyway?

for how much LR is needed depends on ur kind of scaping u wan....my 4 2 2 uses close to 100kg..... i bought new live rocks of 60kg thinking it's enuff, but after scaping, the tank look so empty....so i m adding my old rock from my current tank....

[gp2700]

Well ... I think it's better I not name the shops but here's a listing of the prices I got :

Shops in west

LR : $15/kg

LS : $6/kg

Shops in East

LR : $8/kg but i gave them some dead "live rocks" so they sold me at $6/kg

Honestly speaking, the western LR looks much better than the Eastern LR in terms of live form i.e more coralline, algae etc.

Won't weight/water pressure be an issue if alot of LR is used?

I might be in the North-West area today and will check out CCK, LCK and Seletar if have time ...

Is there such thing as too much LR ?

* Forgot to add : Day One I asked the shop in the East : How much per kilo of LR ? They said $6/kg. Next day I went back to "trade in" my dead LR and they said "Oh since u gave me some LR, I charge u $6/kg instead of $8/kg". It could be a misunderstand as in they could have 2 different grades of LR @ 2 different prices but you can be sure that I will be watching closely what I buy from the shop in the East ....

[limsc]

Shops in East

LR : $8/kg but i gave them some dead "live rocks" so they sold me at $6/kg

Honestly speaking, the western LR looks much better than the Eastern LR in terms of live form i.e more coralline, algae etc.

Since the LFS could get dead rocks from you. What do you think they will do with them???

[jackywongto]

$15 per kg?? WOW

normal live rocks should be about $8/kg from LFS.

missed the good old days where they were $4/kg

[peabrain]

I bought from Pasir Ris farm $5/kg for small size LR.

[jackywongto]

I bought from Pasir Ris farm $5/kg for small size LR.

nice. Good to know that sanity persists in this crazy economic conditions.

Personally I prefer getting rocks from reefers here.

[orsony]

nice. Good to know that sanity persists in this crazy economic conditions.

Personally I prefer getting rocks from reefers here.

LCK 201 is selling $4/kg

[comycus]

Doesn't really matter if rocks have coralline when you get them. My coralline all disappeared when I was cycling my tank, the purple came back within 3 months. I would get nice shapes and sizes from bros here to save $$.

[zanzan]

As of the sump filtering sequence, you may want to visit the following website:

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

It has many examples of sump tank. Hope that helps.

[marinakid]

Hi bros,

can someone enlighten me what is the different between ceramic ring and biohome? they look similar and serve the same purpose which is to culture bateria.

[teebs]

Hi bros,

can someone enlighten me what is the different between ceramic ring and biohome? they look similar and serve the same purpose which is to culture bateria.

Look similar but made from totally different materials if I am not mistaken. Ceramic rings are not porous so it is not recommended to be used as a bio filtration.