For
reef aquariums
, the general rule among hobbyists is to choose a pump that can provide a turnover/
flow rate
of 5x to 10x the tank volume per hour For example, a return pump for a 50-gallon tank would equal a flow rate of 250-500 GPH.
Are bubblers good for saltwater tanks?
Whether using an under gravel filter or not, air bubbles help to move the
tank water
vertically towards the surface, assisting with oxygen and other gas exchanges They are a cheap way to move the tank water vertically.
What type of filter is best for saltwater aquarium?
Live rocks and sand are excellent biological filtration systems for your saltwater tank. They’re a great alternative to a mechanical system and work well in most settings. The microscopic bacteria and microorganisms that live on the sand make it “live,” and work to consume organic matter in your tank.
How many GPH does a 55 gallon reef tank need?
55G*5= 276 gallon per hour for the water movement in your display, you need the rate about 20 to 30 times the display volume (50+ times for SPS tanks). that’s accomplished by using
additional powerheads
.
How many GPH does a 75 gallon reef tank need?
Ecotech recommends 1600 to 2600 gph for a 75 gallon tank.
How do you oxygenate a saltwater tank?
Keep Oxygen Moving Water in a reef aquarium absorbs oxygen from the
surface air
. Adding a pump and filter to your tank and aerating the tank helps move the water around and circulates the air in the tank Without aeration and circulation, the water on the bottom of the tank may be depleted of oxygen.
Do saltwater tanks need a filter?
Filters and Filtration Gallon for gallon, saltwater aquariums require more filtration than freshwater aquariums For the most part, saltwater critters need better water quality than freshwater critters.
Can I put Airstone in saltwater tank?
You certainly can do airstones in a saltwater tank , but I know many recommend against it simply because you will get so much salt creep as the bubbles burst at the water surface.
How do I know if my saltwater aquarium has enough oxygen?
Saltwater and Oxygen Depending on species and stage of life, it is believed that a dissolved oxygen content of 5-6 parts per million (ppm = mg/L) is sufficient for most aquarium occupants The first signs of stress will show if the content drops below 3-4 ppm and fatalities can be expected below 2 ppm.
Why is there foam in my salt water tank?
The most likely reason for foam build-up, however, is protein. In the saltwater tank, protein-based waste molecules often bond to air bubbles which collect on the tank surface, giving it a foamy appearance.
What filter do you need for saltwater?
The most popular types of filtration systems for saltwater aquariums include canister filters, wet/dry filters, and fluidized bed filters Extra equipment like protein skimmers also play an important role in maintaining good water quality in a saltwater tank.
Do I need a filter if I have a protein skimmer?
A protein skimmer serves a function similar to that of a filter, with one added bonus: A skimmer removes waste before it breaks down into harmful toxins. You may not need a filter if you have a functioning protein skimmer , but it may be wise to consider alternative filtration depending on your aquarium’s needs.
Does a saltwater aquarium need a protein skimmer?
No, you don’t necessarily need a protein skimmer. Unless you are keeping a nano reef tank, a protein skimmer is completely optional If your tank has another method of filtering its water, you don’t need a protein skimmer. However, investing in one will only yield benefits.
How much flow should a reef tank have?
The needed flow rate for a reef tank is (size of tank) x (turnover) For example 50g x 20 = 1,000gph. Therefore, if you have a 50 gallon aquarium, you should aim to have at between 500 and 1,000 gallons per hour of flow at a minimum.
What is a return pump for saltwater tank?
The return pump feeds water into the filtration system, or the skimmer, which is traditionally located in the sump, underneath and connected to the reef tank All the water coming from the aquarium should be filtered by the skimmer before being returned to the tank.
How much flow do I need for a 150 gallon reef tank?
Probably a minimum of 30x volume flow – try for more. Would recommend not trying to get it from your sump return, but from in tank powerheads or closed loop.
Can you run a saltwater tank with a canister filter?
Can I Use A Canister Filter For A Fish-Only Saltwater Aquarium? Yes They usually work well on Fish-Only aquariums to help remove detritus via mechanical filtration.
Do I need an air pump if I have a filter?
An air pump is NOT required for this purpose, as long as your tank maintains adequate water movement together with surface agitation This is generally the case if external (e.g., box or cannister) filters are used. Second, air pumps can be used to force water through a filter (e.g., sponge or corner filter).
Do protein skimmers need air pumps?
Protein skimmers run with an air stone also require high-quality air pumps to provide sufficient and consistent air flow Protein skimmers that use a water pump need to have their pump serviced regularly to insure that the impeller is moving freely and that the intake is not clogged with debris.
Do you need an air stone if you have a filter?
The answer is an absolute yes, it does not matter whether you have a filter in your aquarium or not , attaching an air stone makes the water circulation much better. Adding an air stone will keep the water cleaner, provide the fishes with more oxygen, and it has a lot of health benefits for the aquatic life.
Do water filters work on salt water?
Salt Water Filtration However, not many filters can successfully remove salt from salt water , along with other possible impurities. The best and most common salt water filtration system is reverse osmosis. Distillation is another method of purifying salt water and making it drinkable.
Do I need mechanical filtration in reef tank?
Mechanical filtration is an essential component of a saltwater aquarium Whether it is a filter sock, filter pad, or filter block, is up to you; but they all physically remove debris from your tank water. There are several options when it comes to finding the right shape to fit your sump.
Do you need a powerhead for a fish only saltwater tank?
you NEED powerheads and your tank will not succeed without flow. without something to move the water around the corners will quickly fill with detritus and your water quality will suffer. consider that the entire goal of a saltwater tank is to replicate the ocean.
How much flow does SPS really need?
So what is the right amount of flow to have in an SPS dominated tank? Opinions vary on this but I would recommend a flow rate in the range of 40-60 gallons per hour (GPH). This is the number of times per hour that the water volume in the display tank is moved.
How many GPH do I need for a 60 gallon reef tank?
Using the 3 – 5x display size rule, a 60G should have 180 – 300 GPH.
What size powerhead do I need for a 75 gallon saltwater tank?
Top powerheads for a 75-gallon tank. Here are the powerheads that would work best in a 75-gallon reef tank: A 75-gallon reef tank will require a turnover of between 1500 and 3000 GPH , depending on what kind of coral you keep in there.
Can you over filter an aquarium?
An aquarium can be over-filtered because large filters have large pumps that can move the water too quickly. When the water is cycled at an excessive rate, spread sediment all over the tank, push the fish around, and more. The water should pass through the filter four times an hour.
How big of a powerhead do I need?
Some websites say that water should circulate around a tank at least four times an hour, so if you have a 100-gallon tank, then you need a filter and/or powerhead that can move 400 gallons per hour (GPH).
Does protein skimmer oxygenate water?
A protein skimmer is a piece of equipment used in saltwater aquariums for two purposes: (1) it removes waste in the form of organic compounds from the water, and (2) it also oxygenates the water At the simplest level, a protein skimmer functions like a filter for removing organic impurities from the water.
Why is my clownfish at the top of the tank?
Since he said the fish was at the top, I just wanted to make sure that it was not breathing heavy If it is breathing heavy at the bottom of the tank, yes it is not due to lack of oxygen. It is normal for clowns to float up high in the tank.
How can I oxygenate my water without a pump?
Simply fill a pitcher or cup with the aquarium water, lift it up nice and high, and pour the water back in The water will pick up oxygen on the way down to the tank, thus inserting oxygen right into the water. The higher up you pour the water from, the more oxygen it picks up along the way.
Are saltwater fish tanks hard to maintain?
Saltwater aquarium in particular can be more expensive. And they are a bit more precarious to maintain than their freshwater counterparts They generally require additional equipment, additional work during water changes and also require special lighting.
What fish go well with clownfish?
Clownfish do well with wrasses, damselfish, tangs, dartfish, angelfish, blennies, puffers, corals, anemones and gobies One thing to think about is that clownfish will often not get along with others of their kind.
What are the 3 types of filtration?
The Aquarium uses three main types of filtration: mechanical, chemical, and biological Mechanical filtration is the removal or straining of solid particles from the water.
What is salt creep?
Salt creep occurs when the water in a saltwater aquarium splashes out of the tank, gets things wet, and after the fresh portion of the water evaporates, leaves behind salt crystals.
Does protein skimmer aerate water?
Skimmers provide ample aeration due to how they work Water circulation and having the water surface agitated or broken also helps to aerate sufficiently.
Citations
https://www.thesprucepets.com/top-aquarium-power-filters-2924781
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/best-return-pumps-of-2022