[newguy420]

This may seem like a silly question, but what should youhave for filtering in a system. For instance, would a skimmer and wet/dry be enough? I bought a tank off a local guy getting out of the hobby and all he was using was a remora and a wet/dry. To me it doesn't see to do enough to take a lot of the little bits out of the water. Anyone have any advice? Would a canister filter be recommended?

[WILLIAM1]

I dont like canaster filters persomally but I did start with a wet/dry at first but switched to a refugium (which can be built for peanuts) skimmer is always a good choice. But a refugium with some cheato and mineral mud and a light.

[ksreefbuilder]

William has the right idea. You can use many things to filter your tank, but a proper refugium and good skimmer cant be beat.

[newguy420]

So would you say it is normal to have things floating around in the tank? There are tiny pieces that I can't tell if it is sand grains or bubbles and then there are bigger bits of other stuff floating around. I am currently building my sump with refugium out of a 30g tank for my new 75g show tank.

[unclejed]

No, I wouldn't say it is normal for "things" to be floating around. Off the top of my head, when I had a canister, I found out quite by accident that a lot of "crud" accumulates in the flex tubing (both the in and the out) and periodically I would see the crud floating in the tank. I forget why but I jostled the tube real good one day and a lot of crud came spewing out into the tank. Check that out.

[newguy420]

Good idea. I hadn't even thought to clean out the lines. Thanks

[pogodzib]

I'd recommend getting a good protein skimmer, 1-2 Lbs/gal of LR, and a refugium. Nothing else is needed besides for periodic water changes. Wet/dry filters, canisters, etc... can cause more harm than good if they aren't kept clean so I don't recommend them.

[WILLIAM1]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

I'd recommend getting a good protein skimmer, 1-2 Lbs/gal of LR, and a refugium. Nothing else is needed besides for periodic water changes. Wet/dry filters, canisters, etc... can cause more harm than good if they aren't kept clean so I don't recommend them.

+1 on pogodzib the LR and good skimmer are a nessesity.

[demonsquirt]

Your best bio filter is your LR and LS , nothing can come close. But these need proper flow and a wet dry and skimmer wont do it. Without good flow then your best bio filters become a nitrate farm and any additional filtration will be useless.
Then your beneficial bacteria helps control your bio load and the better the flow the better your bacteria population.

Your best bio filter is proper amount of LR and LS and proper water circulation. As your tank matures and your load increases then a wet dry could be used as another tool used for water quality but not needed and adds to your time for maintance and added electricity as if your not already useing enough.