Filtration & Water Quality · 7 articles
Filtration & Water Quality
A quiet sump, a properly sized skimmer, and the right filter media are the backbone of any healthy system. Our guides cover everything from DIY refugium builds to in-sump skimmer comparisons, with honest breakdowns of what owners consistently report holding up over time.
Reef Salt Mix Batch Consistency: What SPS Keepers Need to Know Before Buying
Not all reef salt mixes are created equal — and for SPS coral growers, batch-to-batch consistency can mean the difference between a thriving reef and a
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In-Sump Skimmer Shootout: Finding the Right DC Skimmer for 50–150 Gallon Reef Systems
A plain-language comparison of the best in-sump DC protein skimmers for mid-size reef tanks, with clear tradeoff analysis to help you choose the right model
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Building a DIY Sump and Refugium: Chamber Design, Overflow Boxes, and Return Pumps
A practical guide to designing and building your own sump and refugium — the hidden engine of a healthy aquarium — covering chamber layout, overflow selection
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Overflow Boxes and Sump Plumbing: Matching Flow Rates to Your Reef System
Getting water from your display tank to your sump and back sounds simple — until it isn't. Here's how to size overflow boxes, drain lines, and return pumps so
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Protein Skimmer Sizing by Bioload: Stop Undersizing Your Reef's First Line of Defense
Choosing a protein skimmer that's too small is one of the most common—and costly—mistakes reef keepers make. Here's how to match skimmer capacity to your
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Your First Nano Reef: The Honest Starter Bundle for Tanks Under 30 Gallons
A clear-eyed gear guide for setting up a saltwater nano reef tank under 30 gallons — what you actually need, what you can skip, and how to spend your budget
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Bio-Media for Reef and Freshwater Sumps: Ceramic Blocks, Bio Balls, and Filter Floss Compared
Not all biological filtration media is created equal. Here's how ceramic blocks, bio balls, and filter floss stack up — and which one belongs in your sump.
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