canister or hang on the back filter

**kenny1111** · 8th Oct 2010, 23:23

hi to all bro and sis
After many years in freshwater world, finally plan to go into the darkside of marine. ( hahaha, told by other)
but i am limited as i can only spent around 100+ for the whole setup. So i going to reuse my 24' x 12' x 18' tank with 6mm thickness for the first time.

With that amount of money i cannot get a sump tank, and the tank is too small to DIY into a IOS tank.
So went down to Yishun fish shop to check out what i can get and was told i can use a cannister for my nano tank ( FOWLR ).

Problem is,
i can get a cannister (cheap ones) but what is the flow rate i should look out for?
Or can i use a HOB filiter for a nano tank like that?

Do i need a skimmer? (after reading, i think all will say YES),But what model should i get for that small tank?

Sorry, really new into marine.

**cdckjn** · 9th Oct 2010, 12:00

If you are going for a temporary low-budget "try-try" way, yes, a hang-on-back filter have maintain your tank for about 2-3 months, longer if you are discplined with the regular water change and low bio-load. If not you will have to have a sump tank for longer sustained system.

**ben loh** · 13th Mar 2011, 23:16

Brother, is not possible to jus spend 100++ for fish only tank. I also like you just started marine and I have spend about 400++ and still counting because I doing reef tank so cost wise is high, I don't recommend you to use hang on, is not enough..

**Jungle-mania** · 14th Mar 2011, 03:02

you might not be able to spend at about 100, but at 150 you are good to go.

Kotobuki canister filter from Nan Hai= 2 1/2 red bills
PL lighting from Y618= 3 1/2 red bills
Plant Soil from OTF = 2 red bills
Seachem Excel = 2 red bills
total=100 red bills

If you fork out another $50 and with careful selection of plants and fishes, I think it is very feasible.

**BFG** · 14th Mar 2011, 13:21

Jungle mania, why use plant soil in a marine tank???

**BFG** · 14th Mar 2011, 13:27

Kenny1111, if you have very,very limited budget, I really suggest you put your marine tank project on hold. Save up for a few grand and get a proper setup done with quality equipment. There's a saying in the marine hobby, " You got to pay to play " .

**kenny1111** · 14th Mar 2011, 23:04

thanks for all the advise. By the way, i upgrade to sump tank.. and i really spend near to $600 now as i turn to reef tank hahahha. $$ still going up.

Jungle mania, why use plant soil & Seachem Excel in a marine tank ??????????????

**BFG** · 15th Mar 2011, 11:12

That's great! Don' forget to get a refractometer and calibrate it with the Pinpoint 53.0ms Salinity Calibration Fluid that will give a true reading of your salinity level. Very important piece of equipment, cheap salinity level equipment are not recommended.

What skimmer are you looking at? Try to get a return pump that has the same flow rate as your skimmer pump flow rate. Do not get a higher flow rate return pump to your skimmer pump as the skimmer would not be able to capture and clean the water. Water that passes over the skimmer ended up back to the display tank to feed the algae.

**Mr.Oink** · 15th Mar 2011, 11:44

Ermm... excuse me, 100 red bill?

Originally Posted by Jungle-mania

you might not be able to spend at about 100, but at 150 you are good to go.

Kotobuki canister filter from Nan Hai= 2 1/2 red bills
PL lighting from Y618= 3 1/2 red bills
Plant Soil from OTF = 2 red bills
Seachem Excel = 2 red bills
total=100 red bills

If you fork out another 5 red bills and with careful selection of plants and fishes, I think it is very feasible.

**Simon** · 15th Mar 2011, 12:28

Jungle-Mania

just a reminder, please do not use price coding
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...hort_and_sweet
Look under Restricted Price Discussions and No Coded Pricing (Coloured notes and coins)

**virus666** · 15th Mar 2011, 22:00

Marine tank 2 ft below hang on no problem,but must use skimmer as well.

**kenny1111** · 16th Mar 2011, 00:38

i using BM nac 3.5 now. return pump is 1500L/H.
refractometer may be the next on my " my get list". hahahah

**Jungle-mania** · 16th Mar 2011, 01:00

Originally Posted by kenny1111

thanks for all the advise. By the way, i upgrade to sump tank.. and i really spend near to $600 now as i turn to reef tank hahahha. $$ still going up.

Jungle mania, why use plant soil & Seachem Excel in a marine tank ??????????????

So Sorry! My bad! I did not read your thread clearly! Sorry for the confusion.