Reef Aquarium Filters 10/25/04
Hello to WWM Crew and thanks for all you do for this hobby. I have read over the aquarium filter section of your site and still am sooooo confused. I have a 55 gallon aquarium with approx. 60 lbs live rock, Remora C skimmer, 2 280 Emperor filters and am having tons of trouble with microbubbles coming from my Emperor filters.
<One of many reasons to remove them, IMO.>
I have taken them apart to check for cracks and cleaned, etc. It did not help. I have a Fluval canister which I don't use because of all the trouble people have had with them. I am so tired of messing with these stupid filters, I have made a decision to purchase the Eheim filter but am unsure which one to go with.
<I would say none of the above.  Power filters and canister filters aren't very useful for reef tanks and are maintenance headaches.>
I have several soft corals, yellow tang, maroon clown and a coral beauty along with various snails, red legged crabs and 2 cleaner shrimp. I wrote the company about the Emperor bubble problem but got no response. Bottom line, what Eheim filter would you recommend and what filter media should I use. I don't mind spending the money for excellent quality so that is not really an issue.  Do I need another type of filter as well?
<Live rock and a skimmer will take care of all of your filtration needs.  They are best reserved for when you occasionally want to use power filters to run carbon or to polish the water after things have gotten stirred up.>
Thanks for helping all of us who love this hobby but are so confused with the conflicting information and differing opinions, we keep coming back to WW Media for the sound advice you so kindly offer. I loved Mr. Fenner's book by the way. A devoted hobbyist and reader of WW Media, J. D.  
<Thanks for the kind words!  A lot of those differing opinions are perfectly valid, it is a matter of deciding what makes the most sense to you.  Personally, I almost always choose the option that is the most simple and relies on the least equipment.  That way there is less to go wrong or to break.  Best Regards!  AdamC.>

Reef Mech. Filtration   12/18/06
Hello, I'm hoping you can guide me in the right direction here concerning mechanical filtration. My name is Chris and I have a 125g reef ready  aggressive FOWLR. the setup is about 120 lbs of live rock a 30 gallon sump/fuge with 100 micron filter socks, a Berlin turbo protein skimmer and two quiet one 3000 return pumps. My Problem is with tiny floating particulate matter (definitely not micro bubbles) ,I have two puffers and two triggers
<What species?... too much...>
that chew up the sand and rocks and spit them out, so the tank always looks cloudy. I was thinking of running a magnum canister filter or a Lifegard modular filter with the pleated cartridge to remove the suspended particles. which would be the best choice here?
<This, these would definitely help here>
or do you have any better suggestions?
<A bigger system...>
any advice you have for me here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for you time and a great web site. Chris
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marmechf.htm
and the linked files at top. Bob Fenner>