| There are five main types of saltwater aquarium | | | | visible. External filters also have a greater potential |
| filters: | | | | for water leaks outside the tank. |
| - Biological filters | | | | Saltwater Aquarium Filters - Without A Sump |
| - Canister filters | | | | If you aren't using a sump, you can choose |
| - Protein skimmers | | | | remote-mounted equipment. This will help you |
| - Under gravel filters (UGF) | | | | keep your filtration system a distance away from |
| - Wet/dry trickle filtersSaltwater Aquarium Filters- | | | | your tank, which enables you to keep it hidden |
| Running A Sump | | | | out of site. Some types of equipment can be |
| The first think you need to do is decide whether | | | | adapted for remote mounting, including in-sump |
| or not you want to run a sump. A sump is a type | | | | protein skimmers, many canister filters, and some |
| of pump that is extremely versatile, increases the | | | | wet-dry combination systems. Just be aware that |
| volume of water in the filtration system, can be | | | | some equipment must be kept at the same level |
| hidden out of sight, and can also double as a | | | | as the tank, so they may not be as easy to hide. |
| refugium for live rocks, algae, and mangroves. | | | | Some types of equipment can be hung onto the |
| Of course, there are a few minor problems you | | | | back of your tank. This is a good solution for |
| may encounter if you decide to run a sump. It | | | | many people, because these items are fairly |
| may be fairly difficult to plumb a sump. There is | | | | hidden, especially if you are using a background in |
| an increased risk of external water leaks. And | | | | your tank. Most types of accessories can be |
| they can also be fairly noisy. Still, even with the | | | | purchased to hang on like this. |
| risk of these minor issues, they are much more | | | | Saltwater Reef Aquarium Filtration |
| effective and efficient than other pumps, so I | | | | If you prefer only in-tank equipment, your choices |
| recommend choosing a sump. | | | | will be fairly limited. Most reef systems rely on |
| If you choose to use a sump, you will have the | | | | in-tank filtration systems. Under gravel filters are |
| widest possible array of equipment available for | | | | the most popular type of system. They require |
| your use. There are all sorts of accessories | | | | quite a bit of maintenance, but they are very |
| designed specifically for use with sumps, including | | | | inexpensive, and can even be custom-built at |
| protein skimmers, heaters, wet/dry filters, algae, | | | | home. |
| live rocks, and more. | | | | Reef system purists may prefer to use a live |
| If you use a sump, you have two choices for the | | | | rock or Berlin system or a live sand system. |
| location of your filter. If you locate it externally, | | | | These have been in use in reef systems for quite |
| you will have more options available, and you | | | | a long time, and many reef tank owners prefer |
| won't need extra equipment to attack the filter | | | | them. |
| to your system. | | | | Other types of in-tank equipment available include |
| Saltwater Aquarium External Filters | | | | in-tank skimmers, submersible pumps, and |
| External filters will make the tank look cleaner and | | | | submersible heaters. These can make your tank |
| less cluttered, but they will have to be located | | | | look cluttered, but they are also generally |
| outside the tank where they will generally be | | | | widely-available and fairly inexpensive. |