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you dont need a filter, liverock will be a natural filter and you can run carbon on the HOBs if you want.

he only thing is, could I use a wave maker instead of a powerhead?

A wavemaker is just a control device for powerheads that switches the powerheads on and off to make a random current instead of a static current. You would still need the powerheads to plug into the wavemaker.

As far as converting the tank to a reef tank later down the road.....Everything will work fine for that. Probably the only thing you will have to do is upgrade your lighting once you are ready to dive into keeping corals

Ill try to post a little more indepth later. Im sick, and at work right now

Oops I forgot the most important thing, but I think you already had a grasp on it:

Protein skimmer: waste removal.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Now I don't have much experience with wave makers but I think that is the general principal behind them. So instead of powerheads get a wavemaker. Maybe someone else can talk to you about them though.

If you want corals and what not, you'll have to figure out lighting as well. If you just want some easy stuff like shrooms, soft corals, and eventually maybe LPS near the top of the tank, you'll need the strongest power compact flourescents that you can fit on the top of the tank. If you want sps you'll need stronger light - say VHO's and metal halide mix.

I'd also figure out the sump/refugium and obviously some type of overflow if you are planning on corals. The more water volume the better - plus the algaes growing in the 'fuge will help keep extra nutrients under control(read as clean water).

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

THANK YOU!!! Finally, someone who had really given me a plan of attack! The only thing is, could I use a wave maker instead of a powerhead? Would that work just as well if not better at moving the water around? I wil need to figure out the whole sump/refugium thing though, but this helps. I know what I need to figure out now. I want to add corals and inverts and such to my tank eventually will this still work well enough, and keep the tank clean enough for them to thrive?

This gives me some direction as to where to go.



Christina

What do you guys think of trickle filters?

The point of using live rock is it's biological filtration capabilities. Therefore you would not want a trickle filter to do the same job(but worse).

Here's a small plan for you:

Live rock: Biological filtration.

Powerheads: water movement, oxygenation, aids live rock filtration.

HOB: Run every now and again for mechanical and chemical filtration.

Sump: extra water volume, hide equipment, oxygenation, etc.

Refugium: Can be placed in sump for nutrient removal through macro algaes. Placed above tank can be used as the same, plus a live food farm.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

What do you guys think of trickle filters?
Is there a brand you definitely recommend? These sould like a god idea to me.



Christina

I thought I read all of tht article, then again I may have been at work at the time and jsut skimmed through it. I will read it again. Thanks and I am sure I will have more questions shortly.

If the canister is a no-no then what type of filter do you suggest? Just a plain old HOB filter? Will that work?
I do not know anything or understand the whole refugium things.

Plain HOB filters can def. work. Personally I'm a fan of AquaClears, but the choice is yours. HOBs wont be that necessary, your skimmer will be more important. In my reef tank, my only filtration is my rock and my skimmer.

Like rabbit said, live rock is your most natural and efficient biological filter you can get.

As far as refugiums and sumps go...see below.

I will not be skimping on the skimmer thats for sure
What else?....

Did you read the beginners article in general marine? It runs through everything about being a newbie to this hobby, and talks about most, if not all the new equipment you'll need. I promise you'll understand a LOT more if you read through that article. If you're still shady on sumps/refugiums after that, just post again. I'll get pictures of mine up for you too if you want.



-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

What do you guys think of these products for a 55 gallon FOWLR Tank?

What is the best brand for the following items and what are the worst brands.

Canister Filter
Protein Skimmer
Heater
Air Pump
Water Pump and/or Powerhead (do i need both or just one)


What do you guys think of this?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12785&inm=1&N=2004+2020+2035
I know that everyone says stay away from that protein skimmer, I can sell it on ebay or something, that does not bother me, but what about the other stuff?

Do I need a wave maker? if so also can you tell me what brand?
Please tell me the best, the worst and the middle of the road choices



Christina

If the canister is a no-no then what type of filter do you suggest? Just a plain old HOB filter? Will that work?
I do not know anything or understand the whole refugium things

I will not be skimping on the skimmer thats for sure
What else?....



Christina

LOL, leave my 10g out of this...

No way Nate...you set up that thing with powerheads...and I'm insulted.

You couldn't have done something just a little bigger?

*looks at Liana's tiny 72g bow......then looks at my 240g cube*

shuddup...

aren't you the one who helped push me towards the 72 bow anyway?

yeah...that's what I thought...

and your 240 cube is EMPTY

as least I have a biggish tank with water and corals


Keep asking questions, its refreshing to see someone who is doing research before making the jump

Agreed! oFten people dive into this hobby not knowing what they're doing. They make typical newbie mistakes, and end up leaving the hobby early and wasting a lot of money. Just remember that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Dont be afraid to ask us anything.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

LOL, leave my 10g out of this....

*looks at Liana's tiny 72g bow......then looks at my 240g cube*

Keep asking questions, its refreshing to see someone who is doing research before making the jump

She says she doesnt like powerheads because they are rather ugly hanging in your tank. There are other ways to get the flow you need, but powerheads are probably the cheapest way, thus the way that most people go.

There you go. Their purpose is necessary...them themselves aren't. Powerheads=ugly. (Synonym: Nate's 10 gallon )


Are you having a sump/refugium?


-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Why do you say no in the canister filter?
Powerhead... You say yes, but you hate them.... I am confused...
What do you think of the penguin powerheads?
Do I need a Water Pump?

Canister filters are a very big hassle, especially in a FOWLR tank. They require a ton of maint. to keep them clean so they dont start producing nitrate. The expense of keeping them up and running with media, and the time doesnt make them Ideal.

A HOB filter or 2 on the back of the tank will be plenty for those times that you want to run filter media to "clean" up the water.

Protein skimmers.....I believe they are a musthave on all tanks, except for tanks that are so small that you are doing daily water changes. Once you see the gunk that they pull out you will agree. Ill dig up a pic of the gunk my skimmer pulls out daily here in a bit.

Also, dont skimp on the skimmer....there are a lot of ways to cut corners, but the skimmer isnt one of them. A good skimmer costs money, but it is well worth the investment because it will do the job that it is meant to do and wont be a waste of money and extra piece of plastic sitting in the closet.

As far as powerhead.....I like Hagen/aquaclear powerheads. Maxi jets are also a great powerhead, but IMO they dont create enough flow/move enough water except for in smaller tanks..say 20-30 gallons.

She says she doesnt like powerheads because they are rather ugly hanging in your tank. There are other ways to get the flow you need, but powerheads are probably the cheapest way, thus the way that most people go.

Water pump.....nope, you wont need a water pump/return pump unless you are planning on doing a sump/refugium

Why do you say no in the canister filter?
Powerhead... You say yes, but you hate them.... I am confused...:%)
What do you think of the penguin powerheads?
Do I need a Water Pump?



Christina

Canister Filter- no

Protein Skimmer- without a doubt!

Heater- yes...brand? Tronic or Ebo Jager

Air Pump- not really needed...

Water Pump and/or Powerhead (do i need both or just one)- powerheads are very important

I like the Maxi Jet series. Powerheads are good to have around for QT/hospital tanks, and for mixing salts and keeping water aerated. They can also be used in the tank to make current...but I dont really like them b/c they're ugly.

Do I need a wave maker? if so also can you tell me what brand?

I like and use the Oceans Motions sytems. It's a great way to get current in your tank, without ugly boxes and pipes all over the place. Check out their website. There's also things like Tunze systems, and seaswirls...lots of different ways to get nice flow.

Current will be more important if you're going to have corals.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish