Best Filtration for Marine Aquarium?

[Graham White]

I know this is probably in a FAQ somewhere but there seem to be so
many different opinions about the best filtration system for a marine
aquarium.

I have a 36x15x12 inch aquarium that I am converting into a marine
aquarium. I am currently maturing an undergravel filter using two
powerheads and am now trying to decide what to add to it.

I have read a few books and spoken to a few aquatic dealers and am
getting differing opinions. There seem to be three main options :-

1) add a protein skimmer only
2) add a protein skimmer and an external power filter
3) add an external power filter and a UV steriliser

I'd like to hear from people that have practical experience of this
type of set up and any advice as to what the best set up is.

Also, if two additional components are necessary I may need to add
them consecutively rather than both at the same time. If this is the
case which is the best to add first?

Thanks in advance,

Graham White
Billericay
Essex

[tri...@marinefish.org]

gra...@white-pc.demon.co.uk (Graham White) wrote:

>I know this is probably in a FAQ somewhere but there seem to be so
>many different opinions about the best filtration system for a marine
>aquarium.

There is series of FAQs - they are quite good and posted once a month.
Very much worth checking in here and getting them once they are
reposted.

>I have a 36x15x12 inch aquarium that I am converting into a marine
>aquarium. I am currently maturing an undergravel filter using two
>powerheads and am now trying to decide what to add to it.

My first marine tank was done with an undergravel filter. Never
again! My marine fish seem to make more waste then my freshwater fish
ever did and even with weekly 20% water changes and substrate
vacumning, I still fought nitrates and dropping pH. Once I switched
to live rock the problem went away entirely. Some people swear by the
undergravel - it is less exspensive, it has been around a long time,
it does work. IMHO, it is far more trouble then it is worth. IMHO you
really have 2 options with marine filtration.
1) Live rock and a variation of the Berlin method.
2) Some sort of trickle/wetdry system.

>I have read a few books and spoken to a few aquatic dealers and am
>getting differing opinions. There seem to be three main options :-

> 1) add a protein skimmer only
> 2) add a protein skimmer and an external power filter
> 3) add an external power filter and a UV steriliser

>I'd like to hear from people that have practical experience of this
>type of set up and any advice as to what the best set up is.

A protein skimmer is an absolute nessesity for a marine tank. It
removes many of the contaiments from fish waste and uneaten food that
will contribute to a nutrient problem by a very simple action. An
outside power filter or canister filter is nice because you can you
them for chemical filtration, and relieve some of the load on an
undergravel (if you still choose to go that way) by picking up
suspended matter before it settles

>Also, if two additional components are necessary I may need to add
>them consecutively rather than both at the same time. If this is the
>case which is the best to add first?

The skimmer - right away!
>Thanks in advance,

>Graham White
>Billericay
>Essex

>

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MHM 1X3