[dreamerfaerie]

Im moving from my 46 gallon to a 100 gallon. Im going to be using all live rock and live sand.

I was wondering what everyone recommends for a canister filter.

currently Im using a marineland hang on hot magnum and it works great for my 49 gals.

I want something very quiet and very easy to use and clean.

Thanks

[Taras1]

I don't recommend canister filters. They're OK for fresh water and occasional water polishing in marine aquariums, but they tend to increase nutrient (nitrates) and require a lot of maintanance.

Get a protein skimmer, sump with refugium. You'll be happier in the long run, as will your fishes and inverts.

[arctictwist]

if you feel the need to run carbon for a few days once a month or so you can just get a phosban reactor and run carbon in that for like 3 days.

[dreamerfaerie]

Im not using a protein skimmer currently, I switch to this thing calle Ecoaqualizer and it is wonderful! Best investment ever and they offer a free trial period.

I really didnt want to use a sump, but I think its mostly because I dont really get how it all works. I spent a long time reading stuff online and im still confused.

Can you send me something that explains in details (with pictures if possible) on the entire set up of the sump and what needs to go inside.

[jimw369]

How long you had that 45 gal up and running with that ecoaqualizer thing? What do you have in that tank and how is it set up? Curious...

[dreamerfaerie]

Just to elaborate a little more on why Im worried about a sump -

Im not sure what to buy and where to put things.

What size sump for a 100 gallon tank?

What type of pump and how do you run it to and from the tank?

What do you need in the refugium?

Anyone have pictures of there set up and maybe part #'s and brands of what you are using.

[Taras1]

Here's a site which shows how the sump can be set up and "where what goes."

Melevsreef.com - What is a Sump?

If you check the Folder "New to the Hobby," RyanG has posted a whole set of articles you might want to read. It's the "Sticky" right at the top of the folder. Also, you can get Fenner's The Conscientous Marine Aquarist, a really great book for both beginner and intermediate aquarists.

[dreamerfaerie]

jimw -

I have had the 45 gal set up for almost a year and am transitioning to a 100 gal.

I currently have live rock, live sand, a few coral pieces, yellow tang, sand sifting bennie, mated pair of clownfish and chromis. Good mount of hermits and snails as clean up crew.

I have a Hot Magnum as the filter, the ecoaqualizer as the protein skimmer.

Im not really sure what it does but if you google it the website is really good at explaining everything. Make its clear and bright and eveything healthy and happy.

[dreamerfaerie]

Tara - I have read his site and sad to say im still confused. I will go back and look at those tabs.

[dreamerfaerie]

Just out of curiosity - Is there anywhere on the web you can buy a sump already set up -

Plug and Play Style - ???

I get it - put it under the tank - attach the hose and go -

[Taras1]

Here's my set-up. Not Pretty, but It Works.

The setup is as follows:

Whole Setup: On the left are the intake with filter sock and the Skimmer (BubbleMaster 160). The water flows through baffles and into the return chamber in the middle. The return chamber contains a return pump (Mag 12) and two heaters. The return system has a diverter "T" and valves to control the water. Some goes to the tank and some goes to my refugium on the right which contains macroalgae, live rock rubble and "critters." The water returns through baffles to the return chamber in the center. Yes, some of the water recycles, but eventually the system reaches equilibruim.

SkimmerandReturn show how I've set up the return. I'll try to diagram it out later. It's actually not as hard as it looks. My tank is drilled, so water exits and returns out from the bottom of the tank. If your tank is not drilled, you'll have a small box to siphon off the water and some jets to return the water.

PS: This is all hidden under the stand, which I modified (2X4 support in the center so I can take out the center panel of the aquarium stand. It just made things easier to manage.

[lazy reef guy]

The whole ecoaqualizer thing is a joke it does nothing and i mean nothing if you think yours is doing something than it is something else and its just peace of mind that you think it is the ecoaqualizer junk . sorry to say that but its the truth i was also taken about 2 years ago.

[N9CQB]

Sump w protein skimmer is the way to go if you ask me. You need to periodically clean & replace the filter media. Many are using LR rather than bio balls in the sump to reduce nitrates. However weekly H20 changes also help reduce nitrates if you have bio balls.

[sgarron]

Lifereef.com will set you up with a complete plug and play sump. Just give them a call and tell them what you have and what your plans are and they will be happy to help you with everything you need.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

The ecoaqualizer is one of the worst cases of bad science to ever worm its way into the aquarium hobby.Trust me when I say its the canister keeping the tank clean.At one time i found at least 5 points of totaly bad science in ecoaqualizers own little escription of how it works.And there was a thread in here that highlighted them in red.Save some electricity and toss that thing right where it belongs,in the trash.

[blu23girl]

Originally Posted by dreamerfaerie

Just out of curiosity - Is there anywhere on the web you can buy a sump already set up -

Plug and Play Style - ???

I get it - put it under the tank - attach the hose and go -

Google, ADHI Refugium; they come in a few diffrent sizes, all you need to add is the skimmer and return pump of choice to fit your needs.

They are pricey, but, worth it, if you can't/don't want to build your own!

Other option, if you have a local reef club, im sure you can find a local reefer, who, with a bit of cash, and all the parts bought for him, wouldn't mind helping you build one!

[dreamerfaerie]

Well I didnt pay for the ecoaqualizer so if it turns out to not work I will just send it back. So far though I got to be honest, its working!