fresh water to saltwater

[Innovator]

Just depends on concepts. For fowlr you may benefit from having a filter and skimmer or just a skimmer alone; however, for a reef aquarium I prefer to remain skimmerless to keep available nutrients, well...available. The hang-on-back filters are primarily used for refugiums (macro algaes), added biological, and/or chemical filtration. Different "rules" of thumb here...here's a thought, why not create a poll or ask a mod to create one in this thread for you to help decide between:
filter alone
skimmer alone
filter and skimmer

Perhaps that would help alleviate some confusion? Oh, and no fish won't die if you don't have a skimmer as long as you take care of your tanks needs, just as anyone else would/should.

 

[Tifta]

That is a great idea. If someone can't put a poll up for me that would be great. Find out what everyone is doing

 

[melosu58]

Just a few questions. Are we adding anything about LR or refugiums or are we talking about those three as far as mechanical filtration and those three only. Reason I`m asking is alot of us use refuges and LR . I dont want to say just a skimmer when I rely on my LR for filtration also. You folks tell me.Anybody?

 

[Tifta]

those three things for a 30 gallon tank. I might want a poll for what they would choose, instead of what they have. Because I am sure some people have some really upgraded stuff. I am just a newbie

 

[newfound77951]

I think a poll would be interesting (although I don't know how to set one up). There is definitely more than one successful way to set up a SW tank. My caution with filters was primarily for the reason that they are nitrate factories, which can be a problem in a reef tank if they are not cleaned frequently. Personally I used a skimmer, LR and powerheads on my 30g reef with good success. I know of similar sized tanks with sumps and refugia that also are doing quite well. IMO for a "newbie" to SW, getting into overflows, sumps and refugia might be a little overwhelming, hence the suggestion for the skimmer(filter)/LR/PH route. You can always change things down the road once you get a handle on how everything works.

 

[melosu58]

I`m working on it as we speak.

 

[melosu58]

Alright it is out there in the site poll forum.

 

[Tifta]

I'll keep an eye on it. I am still researching on everything. Thanks a lot for everyones help, it makes me happy, and I am sure when i get my first saltie they will be happy too.