Mechanical Filtration ?

[DiverDude]

I've got a 30 Gal tank with a Remora C skimmer on it. I find that fish and other critters are stirring up a lot of sediment and the tank clouds. I'm thinking of adding some form of mechanical filtration like a canister filter to remove this stuff since the skimmer isn't.

I've been warned that these filters can become a problem (nitrate factory). I'm ok with cleaning it regularly and I really want to clean up the water.

I thought of buying a tried and true Aquaclear HOB unit but I'm looking at running bio-pelets in a reactor as well so perhaps a canister filter of some sort
would be better so I can plumb the reactor into the return line ?

Any words of wisdom on how to go about this ?

[RIPTANK]

First, I would strongly recommend investing in a better skimmer like the Tunze 9002. The Remora skimmers are really poor at skimming. Had one and gave it away...

I run a Fluval 305 filled entirely with carbon in all 6 compartments on a 20 gallon and it keeps the water crystal clear. Great for LPS and fowler tanks but not for SPS.

[DiverDude]

I haven't been thrilled with the Remora actually (I get very little skimmate out of it). That issue aside, a skimmer is supposed to remove proteins from the water but doesn't appear to do much for particulate suspended in the water column -hence the interest in some kind of mechanical filter to physically remove 'bits'.

[mark]

something like use suggest, Aquaclear HOB, seems like a good idea. Fill it full of floss or foam pads. I wouldn't be fearful of a nitrate bomb taking out your tank but you'll need to clean or replace the media every once and while.

[ksalt]

You need to keep it all suspend in the water column so that the particulate goes into the filter / skimmer. i.e. add flow HTH

[hillegom]

If you had a sump, then you could put the drain from the DT into one of those filter socks and clean that out every 2-3 days.