Tank Filtration

[bmoshos]

Hi All,

Let me just say that this is the best site ever!

I am setting up a 4 foot tank for a marine environment. I cant afford a trickle filter so I am thinking of using an under gravel filter. The gravel filter will be covered by sand and crushed shell. Could someone please advise as to whether this would be an ok scenario? I also have an external canister filter which moves 1200 Litres an hour.

Thanks heaps..
Billy..

[Fugly]

Welcome to reeflounge.com!

Where in Aus are u from?

It is all preference but I would go with the Deep Sand(or deep cc) Bed with the plenum underneath. All you will have is the actual plates though nothing else. no airstones or anything. It is primarily to creat a pocket of water under the crushed coral or whatever your substate is.
Hope this helps. :wink:

[phistio]

personally, i think that using an under gravel filter is more hassle than it's worth...i would advise against it...

[bmoshos]

Hmm ok.. why is it a lot of hassle? Also what could I use in place of an under gravel if I cant afford a trickle filter system..

thanks.

[Fugly]

An undergravel will be ok if you use it under just LR and no substrate I reckon. Won't cause too many probs. Your looking for a form of bio filtration right?
Your LR will do this with the Nitrobacter and Nitrosomnas living on it. :)

[phistio]

i just don't think there's a need for the UGF...you have the canister...why not use just it, LR and LS? no need for a trickle filter...

the canister is for circulation only...the LR and LS would be an outstanding filter (provided there was enough of it) :wink:

[Fugly]

There probably isnt need for the UGF but it won't hurt. :) It all comes down to your pref bmoshos. :wink:

[Thorkot]

I agree totally with phistio I would go with Live rock some live sand and the canister filter. No need for a trickle filter or the undergravel filter, what you have here will be just as good or better than if you added the ugf and the trickle filter. IMO