- Joined
- Dec 22, 2004
- Messages
- 1,713
I'm redoing my 75. I'm not sure the best way to go about it. It has ~50 lbs of live rock in it and I'll be using a TF1000 needle wheel skimmer.
I know the live rock and skimmer won't be enough to handle a 1+ lb bimac, so my decision is bioballs vs canister.
I must say I'm leaning toward bioballs because of cost. I have the tank for the sump and everything in hand, so the balls are mighty attractive(cheap on ebay following the live rock revolution!).
I see most people here use canister filters, so I'm a bit uncertain. I would naturally assume the bioballs have a greater nitrifying capacity.
I've seen people say divide your tank volume by 10 or 20 to determine how much bioballs you need: 5 gallons would put me right in the middle.
So I drew up these diagrams of two bioball options. A standard 5 gallon bucket is used for the chamber. Note I've drawn an external horizontal overflow, that's not set in stone but it would make escape-proofing easier.
Let me know what everyone thinks. Should I go with one of these or bite the bullet with a canister?
Dan
I know the live rock and skimmer won't be enough to handle a 1+ lb bimac, so my decision is bioballs vs canister.
I must say I'm leaning toward bioballs because of cost. I have the tank for the sump and everything in hand, so the balls are mighty attractive(cheap on ebay following the live rock revolution!).
I see most people here use canister filters, so I'm a bit uncertain. I would naturally assume the bioballs have a greater nitrifying capacity.
I've seen people say divide your tank volume by 10 or 20 to determine how much bioballs you need: 5 gallons would put me right in the middle.
So I drew up these diagrams of two bioball options. A standard 5 gallon bucket is used for the chamber. Note I've drawn an external horizontal overflow, that's not set in stone but it would make escape-proofing easier.
Let me know what everyone thinks. Should I go with one of these or bite the bullet with a canister?
Dan