Hey Folks, Robert from Marine Depot and thanks for tuning in.
Using a sump to filter your aquarium is the best way to utilize high-performance
aquarium gear and increase the overall water volume of your aquarium.
However we realize is not exactly an option for everybody.
Sumps can be bulky, expensive and will require a bit of experience to get one installed properly.
Now this is exactly why hang-on aquarium equipment can be a real lifesaver!
Especially for those of you building a tank on a budget or looking to move beyond your
all-in-one tank but are not quite ready for a sump.
So without further ado, here is your complete guide to hang-on aquarium equipment.
Filtration is the main component when building a new saltwater aquarium.
You want something effective but also easy to maintain.
Hang-on power filters have been around since before my time in the aquarium hobby and are
very popular for these exact reasons.
Power filters are effective in filtering saltwater aquariums up to a maximum of about 70 gallons
and are very easy to install and maintain.
They simply hang on the back of your tank and allow easy access to the filter media.
Some key components to look for when choosing a power filter is a sufficient flow rate that
can completely cycle your entire tank volume about 3-5 times per hour and a nice large
media chamber that will accommodate different types of filter media.
The Seachem Tidal filter has some awesome features such as a self-priming pump,
dual water intake, adjustable flow rate, and a filter basket that holds any kind of filter media
A protein skimmer is another part of your filtration system and is a crucial
component for saltwater tanks because it will remove dissolved organic compounds and help
to oxygenate the aquarium water.
Manufacturers have been refining and engineering hang-on style skimmers for years and have
come up with some very unique designs but regardless of which brand you prefer, the
facts are that you want a skimmer that has a nice large reaction chamber and a high quality
pump to achieve the best performance.
The AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 is the latest version of the extremely popular AquaMaxx HOB-1,
which has gained a reputation to be one of the best hang-on skimmers around.
It earned this reputation because the skimmer maximizes the space behind your tank
and utilizes high quality materials.
The slim profile makes it easy to mount and a Sicce pump allows for powerful foam creation
and quiet operation.
AquaMaxx recently released the Hang-On-Back Multi Filter or HF-M which combines both a
power filter and protein skimmer into one compact piece of equipment.
The unit is 100% cast acrylic and utilizes a single Sicce pump with bubble diffuser to
feed the skimmer and move water through the filter.
It has a media chamber as well as a configurable section that can house a heater, extra filter
media, or even a refugium courtesy of this transparent window.
We have been testing the HF-M in our office for a few weeks now and are impressed by the
amount of waste the skimmer collects along with the extremely quiet operation.
This is a pretty awesome solution for those of you wanting to reduce clutter and get some
very effective filtration for tanks up to 60 gallons.
A fluidized media reactors is another component of a saltwater filtration system because it allows you
to actively push water through filter media which increases the contact time
and the overall effectiveness of the filter media.
A variety of hang on media reactors are available and will require the use of a small powerhead
to feed water through the reactor.
The powerhead sets inside your tank and then feeds water through the reactor hanging on
the back.
The AquaMaxx FR-SE is perfect for hang-on applications because it includes a bracket
with tube holder to keep the plumbing in place when hanging off the back.
Many of these reactors are suitable to run GFO for phosphate removal, carbon to help
remove discoloration and contaminates or biopellets for nitrate reduction.
Refugiums are very popular for saltwater tanks because they help export nitrate and phosphate
via the growth of macro-algae,
they'll help feed your aquariums with micro organisms as well as increase the overall biodiversity .
CPR has a great hang-on refugium that is available in three different sizes.
These awesome little boxes include a pump to move water from your tank through the refugium
but they will require some lighting to grow macroalgae.
CPR makes a little LED strip light that includes a couple of brackets that fit perfectly on
top but you could certainly use a variety of different refugium lights.
Calcium Reactors will supplement your aquarium water with balanced levels of calcium and
alkalinity in order to achieve a more stable environment for corals to grow.
AquaMaxx makes a nifty hang-on calcium reactor that fits nicely on the back of your tank.
These little calcium reactors work great for most reef tanks up to 75 gallons.
They will require a separate CO2 canister and a pH controller which are sold separately
so be prepared for some extra components if your considering hanging a calcium reactor
off the back of your tank.
We actually have a great two part video series all about setting up a calcium reactor and
you can check that out on our YouTube channel or just follow the link in the video description below.
Building a tank with effective hang-on equipment is possible, just be sure to choose your components wisely.
If you have questions about any of the hang-on style aquarium equipment featured in this
episode, leave us a comment and we'll be happy to help you out!
Please don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and give us a thumbs up if you found
this video helpful.
We appreciate all of you for watching and until next time,
Take care and happy reefkeeping!