Denitrification

Question
Hi,
I am setting up a 54 gallon corner bow saltwater fish only tank soon and I am trying to decide on the best filtration system for it.  I am looking for a system that keeps algae growth, nitrates, and water changes at a minimum (the flaws in the system I used to have).  I was going to purchase a Eheim 2227 biological filter (for mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration) and an aquaripure filter for denitrification.  However, the folks at aquaripure told me this would be counter-intuitive.  They said their filter (the aquaripure) should be the main filter in the system and that I should ditch the other biological filter.  They said that the aquaripure grows both aerobic AND anaerobic bacteria to handle the ENTIRE biological cycle.  Sounds almost too good to be true.  Would it be wise to ditch my eheim filter and use the aquaripure as my main filter?  If not, do you have any recommendations on a dentrification filter that would work well with the eheim 2227?
Rich

Answer
Hi Rich,

(FOLLOW UP
I can not offer an favorable opinion on either of the options you propose as i dont believe them to be as beneficial or efficient as a sump/refugium.  but like i stated, this discussion is not something that can have one right answer...And certainly you wont go wrong with either of your choices...

Best of luck, and please let me know which direction you go and how it works out for you...

Bill)



This question is not one that can be answered with pure science or pure logic...

If you ask 100 reefers, you will get 110 different answers... (having to account for some bi-polar folks) hehehehe


personally, i would not reccomend a cannister filter...   

I would suggest using a sump/refugium...  They dont have to be big, although i would suggest getting the biggest you can fit under your stand...  

you can also display the sump, as it will be 'interesting' to some also...  although many non reefers would think it pretty geeky to do so...

A sump can be a simple 10 gallon tank bought from walmart.. It will have a pump that will pump the water back up to the tank, and there will be a drain, either built into the tank, or using a 'hang on tank' overflow system...


Basically it is not really more complicated than the cannister... they have two hoses, one down and one back up, and it has a built in pump...


the sump will allow you to place equipment that you have up in the display down into the sump.. and out of main site...  things like the thermomter, or the heater, or the skimmer...

you will be able to buy filter socks for 'mechanical' filtration, although i dont believe that isn needed full time... I just them prior to having guests over, or before i take pictures of the tank...

There is no real need for mechanical filtration.. having mechanical adds to your costs and to your time for maintenance, and if you neglect, will absolutely add to your nitrates...

HAving a sump will also allow you to grow macro algae which will aid in de-nitrification, and basically adds more live/natural filtration

BUT, many, MANY reefers use cannisters, and i believe the technology is improving and getting better.... but, more advanced aquariast have sumps...

You can log onto my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com and join in a discussion there, as there is another new reefer askinig and going thru the exact same question/stage of development..

and there are many other reefers there in that discussion...

So, i look forward to seeing you there and hearing which direction you choose..

good luck

bill