Really NooB questions about filtration -->

I've a 110 (60" long, 19"tall & deep) with fish, inverts and soft corals. I've about 2" of sand, a mix of live rock/"holey" rock with lots of coraline algae all over it. Tank's been running coming up on 4 years with 2 Emperor 400's, Seaclone skimmer and a Twist3x UV sterilizer. I'm currently upgrading the lighting from 4x65 pc's to MH/PC.

The NooB question is...I feel like i've kinda half a..ed this tank for awhile and am thinking I should next focus on the filtration side of things. I replace the filter/carbon media once a month, but am thinking I should swap out the Emperors and go to a wet/dry system. I admit I've got some homework to do about what exactly a refugium is and a sump. Years ago I had a 55g salt tank with a wet/dry system and I'm wondering if what's called a sump is the tank the filter media and bio balls sat in was the sump..? Either way I'll research that some more after I finish typing this. Derrr....SO the question is do y'all think I should I dump the Emperor's and switch to a better system? You dont have to describe it in it's entirety, but if you could say; yes, switch to a wet/dry, sump, refuge system etc then I'll research/figure out what ya'll are suggesting! Phew! Thanks!

ps. i saw something about canister's not being a good idea so I didn't mention that.

 

I would switch to a fuge/sump combo. IMO your bio wheel filters are better than a wet dry. Wet drys clog and cause nitrates unless you stay on top of them very well. Bio wheels wont clog at all if you take the media out of the back and only run the wheel.

 

If you stick with softies, the wet/dry would work well and easier to maintain than the canisters.

If you want harder stuff, you may want to go with refugium and a good skimmer.

Why change? Have to ask as you have had this aquarium going for four years already. SOmetimes change is bad. Just curious - I am the same way.

 

I would say tht when I went from HOB filters to SUmp/Fuge my succes rate went from not very good to very good.

I swapped my 90 non drilled to a 110 drilled and never looked back. Big difference and huge difference in maintenance cost. Now maintnenace is free but time conuming.

Way to go for sure. Just research first.
Good luck

 

Hey Matt! It's a valid question and you kinda already answered it. I want to move 'up' to more difficult/technical species, ie. anemones etc. Also, it's not a whole lot, but buying $13 new filters every month is something I could get around if i went to the sump/fuge setup. From what i've been reading on this site since my post above, it seems like it's a great way to go and healthier for the tank.
Double2mk, thanks also as I checked out your link and it's been very helpful. I've only had a chance to go through 2-3 pages of posts so far, but reading/seeing what others have gone through to get it setup has helped. Years ago ('90-91) I had a 55g that was drilled with wet/dry underneath. I don't want to dismantle my tank in order to do that so it looks like I'm going to have to go with an overflow box. I found a CPR CS90(?) overflow box on Marinedepot that looks like it'd work well. Before I move any further on this idea though I intend to 'research' more and figure out the best cost/product/design I can use.

 

I am building a new tank my self and was wondering about Bio-Wheels my self.

This is what I found....
Aquarium (and Pond) Answers: Do Bio Wheels really work?