Difference freshwater and saltwater filtration?

Question

Planning in buying a tank or a combo tank and wondering if there is a big difference on the filtration system

Answer 1

It really depends on the size of the tank and what you're planning to keep. If you only have fish, you can just use the same as for a freshwater tank. I also just use freshwater filters on some quarantine tanks and smaller reef tanks, although I do water changes a little more frequently in these.

Another piece of equipment that I would strongly suggest, though, is a protein skimmer. You don't see these in freshwater because there's a difference in water density because of the added salt. The higher density makes bubbles produced by an air jet (venturi) smaller than they could be in freshwater. Protein skimmers make use of that principle to remove small particles and dissolved organic material by having them adhere to the greater surface area of the smaller bubbles to float the suff up out of the tank and into a collection chamber where they are out of the water (so they don't add to the ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate) and where you can conveniently dump them.

Along with the protein skimmer, larger saltwater systems often make use of a refugium, or sump that contains additional live rock and algae to remove biological wastes. As with a freshwater sump, it increases water volume, and lets you "hide" filters, heaters, and other equipment, plus give you a place where small shrimp and other live "treats" for your fish can be cultured.

But really, apart from the protein skimmer, there's no "freshwater" or "saltwater" to filters. There is getting the filter that's the proper size for the tank - it should be rated (in gallons per hour) to turn over 5-10 times the volume of the tank at the very minimum. If you're planning a large tank, two hang-on filters or a canister filter might be needed. A powerhead or two will help increase the water circulation.

This website can give you even more info on types of filtration and pros/cons of their use: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marsetupindex2.htm

Answer 2

HUGE differences in filtrations for FW vs SW. FW systems can be run rather inexpensively but for salt you need equipment that can be rather pricey depending on what you want to keep. A fish only FO tank won't need the stuff a Reef would. I don't mean to scare you from trying a SW tank just want you to know you can't buy a tank set it up and run.. Read everything you can about them before hand then you'll know what your getting into! Do your research and you'll be rewarded with a beautiful tank fresh or salt!

Answer 3

YES, there is a big difference if you are planning on having a saltwater tank then get a salt water filter and if you are planning on having a fresh water tank then get a fresh water filter because if you put a freshwater filter in a saltwater tank then it'll clean out all the salt and try to get it all clean a unsalty and you'll end up killing your fish and the other way around with be to forceful and it is made to clean salt water tanks.

Answer 4

Most filters are made for both. Check packaging to be sure, but I think you will find they all say for either fresh or salt. The exception would be in the gravel. Don't use crushed coral for fresh tanks.