Brand New and at a loss with filtration

Sparked · Aug 27, 2024

Good evening all,

So I am brand new to the forum and to salt water and threw a bunch of research I have realized my tank is missing some type of filtration.

Small bit of info on the Tank, 40 Gal AIO cube, coral reef and small CUC (I’ll go further into listing what’s there in my next post full of questions unless that info is needed currently).

I won the setup in a raffle at my LFS, setup was donated to the LFS by someone who was moving and could not take it with him. I was told he had it set up for 8 months in his house, the LFS got it and set it up as a display and had it 2 months before the raffle and now it’s been setup in my place for a week (I feel bad for the tank’s inhabitants but they are now in a forever home). I have never had saltwater before always had freshwater and currently have a 75g freshwater tank with an FX2 filter running it.

Now to the question, in the back of my tank is the filtration part (4 chambers) the water flows in from cracks in the top left corner and makes its way threw the chambers, in the 3rd chamber there is a plastic box with that sits on homemade stilts to keep it off the bottom, the box has plastic screens top and bottom that the water runs threw, when I set the tank up I never moved this part didn’t need to so I assumed there was some sort of filtration there. After close inspection today I have realized the only things in there are the heater, temp probe and return pump. No media, no mechanical filtration no nothing. So being new to salt water I wasn’t sure what media would be best to put in there, I have a new unused sponge pad from my fx2 I’m going to use as mechanical but im not sure what to do for biological.

Also I was wondering if a protein skimmer is something that is needed or not? I’m currently trying to fill in the missing parts on this tank to ensure nothing dies.

I noticed the filtration issue due to after a week there is still particles floating all in the water and the water is clear so I was wondering why they weren't being filtered.

Please excuse my poor excuse for a tank as I am honestly trying to get it to where it should be. And excuse my lack of knowledge as this whole things was highly unexpected (this wasn’t the raffle I signed up for but some how won it)

I can include any further information any one needs just let me know what is needed. Here is a shot of my tank for reference purposes as well and a picture of the clowns because that’s the best picture you can see the particles in.

I am open to any and all advice and knowledge and help.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Aug 27, 2024

Congrats, the tank looks nice.

We don't really use media in saltwater, the rocks and the flow are the biofilter. Google 'the berlin method' for full explanation on how this works.

Keep in mind that many salt tanks can be run with rocks and flow alone and regular water changes, and no other form of filtration needed. My 3 year old 15 gallon softie tank has 2 powerhead and rocks and thats it.

You can use a filter pad for mechanical filtration, but we change them very often, at least once a week, I do every 2-3 days. They will hold rotting food that increases nitrate over time.

Some folks use a bag of activated carbon or chemipure or something similar. I usually use carbon myself.

Tanks can be run with or without a skimmer. A skimmer oxygenates the water so thats an added benefit, but its main function is to remove dissolved organics, and there are other ways remove dissolved organics, mainly water changes and using activated carbon. I do use a skimmer on my own 40 gallon. I would suggest to think about your bioload, if you will have heavy bioload, then skimmer is a great tool for sure. If a light bioload, then weekly water changes will be sufficient.

There are also other forms of filtration such as a refugium, and other even more advanced methods.

I would point one of your powerheads up to agitate the water surface. This is important to help with gas exchange and help oxygenate the water. Flat surface is not good.

Looks like a great start, feel free to ask questions, so many people here will be happy to help. Cheers

Dburr1014 · Aug 27, 2024

Welcome to r2r

Tamberav · Aug 27, 2024

As said above, you don’t need anything back there but if you want to help water clarity. Use some disposable filter floss (not the sponge). Change it every few days.

SPS2020 · Aug 27, 2024

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Sparked · Aug 27, 2024

Thank you so much for all of your replies,

I don’t think my bioload is to large in this tank yet, 2 clownfish, 1 blue sapphire fish, 1 bengal cardinall( I think that’s what he’s called) and 1 black fish that I have yet to ID because he won’t stop hiding long enough for me to get a picture, 3 snails, 2 crabs, and 1 chubby shrimp who only comes out at feeding time. Aside from a handful of diffrent corals I that is who is currently in the tank.

I will definitely look into a skimmer of some kind if I can find a hang on one or one that will fit in the small compartment.

And thank you so much for recommending filter floss, I was going to use the sponger just because the excess I have on hand for replacements in my freshwater tank but I have to go to the LFS today after I wake up for some RO water and salt water anyways i will see if they have the filter floss and I’m hoping that will help with the clarity, it’s weird it’s not that the water isn’t clear because the water itself is clear, it’s like there is dust particles all in the water just blowing around.