Do i need external filter for this nano reef or fish and live rock aqurium???

Question

Do i need external filter for this nano reef aqurium???

My tank is currently set up as a freshwater aquarium but I will convert it to a nano reef aquarium by purchasing the following equipment

Heater (already have this item)

Protein Skimmer

Live premium Fijian rock (5kg – 10kg)

Live sand

Aqua One hang on the back filter (already have this item)

Powerhead

Basically I want to know I would still need to go out and buy an external filer as the aquarium will have live rock and live sand as the biological filter, protein skimmer as the mechanical filter and the hang on the back filter if needed.

skimmer vs external filter, in the context that i have a hang on the back filter already, which is the better one to buy??

Answer 1

I would.

The Fluval series are good, I run a fluval 405 external for my 350litre tank, its the best filter I have had.comes with its own media, and is easy to set up and maintain.

hope this helps.

Answer 2

hi there i would say use a undergravel filter u know the ones wih the plates u put at the bottom and then the gravel on it and then get an external filter wo u are duble filtering it the underground filter breaks down the fishes poo and then goes in the externall filter from the undergravel filter  which is very good to have that is what i have on my tank and i got it tested and they told me it perfect drinking water quality(Y) so i would recodmend you get a undergravel filter plus a external filter so you got it filtered twice which makes it perfect the skimmer is not so good in my eyes as like it dosent suck and filter as good as a undergravel filter and externall filter

anyways good luck with the filter system any questions do not hesitate to ask me  

Answer 3

if you can get both by all means do.. if it's one over the other get the skimmer.. far better at preventing nitrates and clarifying the water

to the person who recomended the undergravel filter filter.. that's an outdated peice of c**p that quickly and easily becomes a nitrate factory without vigilent maintainence..

how big is this tank anyway.. you never said

with 10-20 pound of LR in there you're looking at wanting as much filtration as possible..

by priority get the skimmer first

Answer 4

I had an external filter & converted it to an external.I think the external filter is cleaner.Its everyone to there own preference

Answer 5

I'd grab the external. It's better to have too much filtration than too little, plus you'll have somewhere for anti-phosphate media if you run into hair algae.

As for the skimmer or filter, both. They do two different things.