Filters

Question
Hi Renee,
I have a 75 gallon salt water tank with appr. 50 lbs of live rock, 96w T5 lighting, Penguin 200 biowheel filter with a Rena Filstar XP1 filter, and a Marineland Seaclone 150 protein skimmer, sand substrate, water parameters are perfect, test every 4-5 days. I do a 20% water change every 2 weeks and use pre-made water from a local fish store. My question is: Is the filter set up I have now adequate enough for this tank? I had upgraded from a 40 gallon tank and had the protein skimmer and bio wheel with that tank, so I added those plus the Rena Filstar filter that came with the 75 gallon tank.
Thanks,
Brett

Answer
Hi Brett, well, I have to assume you have a reef, since you have T5 lighting, and the live rock.  I would say no.

I'm not a fan of canisters.  Rena, however, is one of the top of the line canister filters, and if maintained properly (cleaned weekly to bi-weekly), they can be okay to use.

Your 200 biowheel isn't offering much filtration, and I'd change that and increase its size.

Have you considered going to a refugium?  It's so easy.  They are so simple to set up.  The water quality stays good, and it's such a good route of filtration.

Using fish store water is good.  Changing bi-weekly is probably why your nitrates are okay, but please watch your canister filter.

Skimming is good, also.  The skimmer you chose may be just fine, because you are diligent about changing the water.

Brett, it sounds okay to me, but please consider upgrading to a refugium at some point.  You may actually be very pleased with the filter change.

If housing a reef, your setup sounds a bit more sufficient than it does, if you are housing a reef (where I'd say it's borderline).

Good luck and please feel free to email questions anytime.

Renee