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After years of having freshwater tanks, I want to get into saltwater as well. However, after many hours of research and reading I am more than a little confused, mostly about filtration. What exactly do I need to properly filtrate and maintain a healthy tank? I have a filter from an empty 20 gallon freshwater tank (sorry I can't remember the brand, but it is the kind that hangs on the back of the tank), can this be incorporated at all? Also, if it is better to go to a new filter, what is the best type to get? (any brand name suggestions would also be appreciated)

HOB (hang on back) filters normally dont cut it in a sw tank.
Most filtration systems on saltwater tanks are incoperated into the sump, which can accomodate a wet dry skimmer, and various other forms of filtration.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/filtersfiltrationsetup/

Everyone will tell you this, read read read!
its the best way to learn.

The link above will bring you to a page that will tell you the basics of saltwater filtration.

nick

Nick
"Impossumable- unable to play dead"

If you want just fish and no live rock, then a high-quality filter would be necessary. Though one or multiple hang-on-back (HOB) filters would be okay, canister filters are a better choice because they are able to house many more types of filter media and put out cleaner water than your other conventional filters. The Marineland Penguin and Emperor filters are decent HOB types, and I know that Eheim and Fluval are fairly popular canister filter makers. You could look into either company.

If you want a tank with live rock, the rock will be your biological filter. You may accompany it with a HOB or canister to aid with filtration (especially mechanical filtration, the removal of visible particles and debris from the water column), but the rock is the most important part. For more information on what live rock does, check out this link: [link=http://fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Marine%20Setup/65698.html?200510310629]http://fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Marine%20Setup/65698.html?200510310629" style="COLOR: #808080[/link]

It is the bacteria that lives on the rock which will actually provide the biological filtration for a tank.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

What exactly do I need to properly filtrate and maintain a healthy tank? I have a filter from an empty 20 gallon freshwater tank (sorry I can't remember the brand, but it is the kind that hangs on the back of the tank), can this be incorporated at all?

LOL, that's kind of a tougher question than you probably realize.. It's kind of dependant on exactly what you're hoping to accomplish with your system.. However, if you're just wanting to get started and have a nice (read; easy) saltwater setup:

Your old HOB (Hand On Back) type filter will be fine to use on a comparably sized saltwater aquarium.. If you've also decided to use liverock, that's even better as the rock itself will work as an added filtration method..

Also, if it is better to go to a new filter, what is the best type to get? (any brand name suggestions would also be appreciated)

If your filter is in good condition, just scrub it out and chuck it on.. You'll be fine.. After using canister filters and HOB filters, I'll take my HOB any day of the week..

If you want recommendations though, Marineland is my product of choice I just remove the biowheels and off I go..

Good Luck to you and Welcome to FishProfiles..

Jlw2 - I'd stop by your lfs and buy a book on marine tanks. there are many options you can go with. In my opinion live rock is the best filtration out there, and you should probably read up on it. However, in a fish only set up live rock is not necessary. HOB, canister, and trickle(wet/dry) filters can be used with some success to keep most fish happy. There's just too many options to write a consise answer for you. I'd check out [link=this link]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/General%20Marine/58926.html?200505011641" style="COLOR: #FFD700[/link] about starting a marine tank.

Also [link=wetwebmedia]http://www.wetwebmedia.com" style="COLOR: #FFD700[/link] has a ton of information in their marine faq section.

The best thing for you to do is put your patience pants on and do some serious reading and see how in depth you want to get in your marine tank. It will save you tons of money and headache in the long run if you can come up with a plan for yourself.

If you have questions about any one thing you read(type of filtration, how something works or fish compatibility), you can post about it in this forum, or marine setup forum and we'd be glad to help you out!

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients