Filtration??

[dberrong]

I'm not running a sump, but I don't like the hang on filters. I'm still reading up on sumps and trying to decide if that is something I want to add. Price vs. need. Any suggestion on what an optimal filtration system would be for a 90g tank?

[melev]

The reason you don't see that on most tanks is because they have a sump & a protein skimmer. The skimmer is in the sump. Many tanks today also have a refugium. Here's an article that should help you understand about how they work, and why.

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

If you are keeping a reef tank, you don't need mechanical filtration. No pads, biowheels, bioballs, filter floss, sponges, etc. You don't need them as long as you have a well-planned setup. What I've been doing for years is called the Berlin-system. I have a big well-built protein skimmer (Euroreef is a very good brand), a DSB (Deep Sand Bed), a refugium full of macro algae, and a lot of LR (live rock). These are what filter my water around the clock and keep my tank looking great and my livestock happy.

From time to time, I'll siphon out any detritus that has collected in my sump. I clean out the skimmer's collection cup every couple of days. That's it. Water changes once a month, of course.