The Puffer Forum

I will setup our puffer tank(GSP) this weekend. I have a choice of filter for the 30 gallon tank. Emp 280 or AC 300. Which would be better for the move from FW to Salt.


If I use the AC media will be taken from the Eheim to be put in a bag.
The Emp requires nitrospira which isn`t a problem. Never have dealt with BW or Salt as all my experience has been with FW. So which would be the best filter tio use?

I think the emporer has a biowheel, which would eventually pose a problem due to the salt. I'd go with the Aquaclear.

Thank you My thoughts were the same. The bio-wheel would get loaded down but wasn't`t sure.

I just bought a hydro-sponge filter for tank and am thrilled with the results. The water looks fantastic . I'm curious if anyone else uses these or if they have any information about care/ possible drawbacks/ advantages.

Thanks!

P.S. I have a 20 gallon, brackish water tank

P.P.S. the big sponge is somewhat unsightly but I enjoy the bubbling effect. Also, these seem to be what the locally owned fish store uses

Are these filters you already have? If you are looking to buy new filters we could also make some suggestions

helicopter wrote:Are these filters you already have? If you are looking to buy new filters we could also make some suggestions

I'm looking for some suggestions on filters! I'm setting up a tank that, in my mind at least, will be a candidate for the "tank of the month" so I'd like a filter that won't crowd the landscaping in the tank. I've got a GSP eventually going in this tank so it would need to handle high-brackish/marine conditions of course. The tank in question is a 30 gal., if that helps narrow it down. Also, I'd be inclined to a HOB type filter if that's feasible for this kind of setup. But any suggestions are welcomed!

Aquaclear

Filtration for FW/BW is completely different than filtration for SW. I agree, for FW/BW, use the Aquaclear. Once your tank reaches SW, you'll dump the HOB, replace it with a protein skimmer & live rock.

Would it be more efficient to use a canister filter from the beginning, and perhaps just adjust the media with the salinity? I read some places that canister filters work for brackish & SW...

I thought they resulted in massive nitrates when used in SW and where an artifact from before LR, presently only used in FO setups.

Conventional cannister/HOB filters are generally not recommended for SW because of their ability to trap waste. This waste would generally be removed from the water by a protein skimmer, but when trapped, it's just converted to nitrates. Nitrates are more of a problem in SW systems and if you're only using water-changes to control them, it will get expensive fast.

Sponge filters are a great source of biological filtration in FW / low BW systems. The only problem is that they take up a lot of space in the tank and don't look so great.

I've got two HOB Aquaclear filters in my current brackish tank as of now (both rated for 50 gallon aquariums, so in my 30 gallon I think I'm covered for the moment). The current salinity is 1.010 and I've read in Pufferpunk's article on GSPs (the fish in question) that specific gravity of 1.015 is desirable. So what's the cutoff from HOB filters to a protein skimmer in high brackish water? When does brackish become "Marine" conditions? Seems I can get two Aquaclear filters (HOB) for about $60, whereas protein skimmers are around $100+ is that right? A good investment, I know, but I've got lots of other (non-fish related) good investments to make! I thought that marine conditions were around 1.020 and up or so, and thereby the need for a protein skimmer at about that point. I'm using sponge filters in a current FW tank and they do work great; you can blend them into the decor and they aren't all that unsightly, just depends on what look you're going for (not that I'm going for the "unsightly" look for my tanks!).

Skimmer won't work much below SG 1.018. The idea behind going full marine is the skimmer is cheaper than having to replace 50% of high brackish water every week using salt mix, water changes are reduced significantly in well skimmed tanks.

Ok, I see how this works. I'm totally new to the "marine" environment, but my GSP seems to be doing ok in 1.010 for the time being. Good point about the water changes; I have noticed that marine salt goes pretty quick. However, I was under the impression that the salinity isn't filtered out. Is it just the gradual replacement of relatively high salinity tank water with "fresh" tapwater that primarily reduces the salinity in a BW tank?
So, what is a well-skimmed tank? Does that work the same way as "over-filtering" a FW tank? If so, what kind of skimming power would you need to cleanly take care of a 30 gal tank? 20 gal? 50 gal? Assume 1 GSP in each that likes to rip up and eat human food (raw shrimp, shell on; clams in the shell; etc.). Just curious if it works the same way; more skimming = better, and if much more skimming = much better?

Good point about the water changes; I have noticed that marine salt goes pretty quick. However, I was under the impression that the salinity isn't filtered out. Is it just the gradual replacement of relatively high salinity tank water with "fresh" tapwater that primarily reduces the salinity in a BW tank?

You are correct, the salt is not filteres out but even at a high SG, it is stilll necessary to do weekly 50% water changes. That took 10 cups of salt weekly for my 55g.

So, what is a well-skimmed tank? Does that work the same way as "over-filtering" a FW tank?

Correct

If so, what kind of skimming power would you need to cleanly take care of a 30 gal tank? 20 gal?

In tanks <50g, I like the Backpac.

50 gal?

I'd go with a Coralife Super Skimmer 125.

Assume 1 GSP in each that likes to rip up and eat human food (raw shrimp, shell on; clams in the shell; etc.). Just curious if it works the same way; more skimming = better, and if much more skimming = much better?

Correct. You should probably find out exactly what skimming actually does: http://kb.marinedepot.com/article.aspx? ... ode=4O3V2M