I have some filtration questions, for a system I'm planning. I want to start propagating RBTA's, carpet anemones, zoanthids, mushrooms & ricordea. Later I will possibly add SPS and LPS. But for now, the first group is what I have chosen. The main reason for these being chosen is the growth rate and simple division. Also, I won't need as many nutrients, such as calcium, before adding SPS and LPS, which will be much later. For now my question is what filtration is best and necessary? I'm planning a 150 gallon setup.
A protien skimmer is obvious. But what is a definate "no problem" gallons of tank water/ filtration gallons rating ratio? I have read before to have double the filtration rating for reef, but also have read to have 3 times the filtration rating for SPS and LPS. So for a 150 gallon system, having a 450 gallon rated skimmer meets that (1) gallons of tank water/ (3) filtration gallons rating. Is that overkill? I'm considering MRC My Reef Creation Skimmers or a Red Sea C-Skim 1800.
Refugium is another definate item on the list. Stuffed with chaetomorpha. Size of refugium is another thing I'm not sure of.
How much live rock is needed and is it as important as needed for a reef system? I was thinking of live rock in a tub, tank, 55 gallon drum or trash can, with no lighting. Just forcing the the water to flow through in a sump or possibly down over and through like a wet/ dry filter, using a 55 gallon drum or trash can. Live rock has much more surface area than bio balls, for beneficial bacteria.
Other things I'm considering are bio balls, phosban reactor & UV steralizer. My biggest questions are getting the filtration to be overly sufficiant. So referencing a per gallons scenario or referencing the 150 total gallons I'm planning is very helpful. Is it best to have no fish or would tangs or a wrasse be more beneficial than having no fish? Anything that you have would be very appreciated.
