Discrete nano-reef filtation and heating?

April 20, 2008 2:22 PM

I want to set up a 3gal nano reef tank (possible slightly larger, up to 10gal). I want the system to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible, namely by keeping any equipment out of sight. Could I just drill two holes in the tank, and use a powerful external canister filter, to filter the water and provide water movement? Or is a seperate powerhead necessary? In addition, is there an external way of heating the water, without the use of a sump? Thanks a lot.
posted by BritishGas to pets & animals (5 comments total)

If you haven't already, check out reefcentral.com and nano-reef.com. As to answer your question, you can get inline heaters that would do the trick, but I'm not even sure you'd need to considering the heat from any pump will probably heat up the water.

You could use a canister filter, or just use an external powerhead plumbed in line, and let the live rock do the biological filtration.
posted by [insert clever name here] at 2:58 PM on April 20, 2008

That sounds good - I'd prefer to keep things simple where possible....

so in a reef tank that small, there isn't actaully a need for a mechanical filter - you can just let the live rock and live sand act as the filtration?
posted by BritishGas at 3:25 PM on April 20, 2008

All is dependent on what you plan to populate the tank with. Have you considered a pre-made set up like this? This hobby quickly gets complicated, messy, and expensive. Avoid drilling if at all possible, particularly for such a small tank.
posted by arnicae at 4:39 PM on April 20, 2008

Oooo this way madness lies. :)

arnicae has it - if you want just corals, then far easier to maintain.

The problem comes with maintaing healthy water levels if you have nitrate fluctuations.

In other words, fish, that shit.

Almost every tank owner tries to make all equipment invisible; and sure, it's very possible and not hard to achieve.

The larger the body of water, the less wild fluctuations that occur; ergo bigger being better in some regards... conversely, smaller and less diverse is just the same - check out some clam only tanks for example.

Relying solely on LR and sand is going to be difficult - unless that's *all* you keep, with corals. Even then, protein skimming would probably be required; good luck, have fun and most important, take your time - creating nature is not a process you can rush :)
posted by DrtyBlvd at 1:05 AM on April 21, 2008

Forgot to say yes, external cannister is fine; as for the heater(s) just hide 'em behind the live rock
posted by DrtyBlvd at 1:07 AM on April 21, 2008