Lets start off with the basics & go from there. I'm guessing you want a full blown reef set-up, one that you can maintain rather easily without lots of constant work, well that is what I would want anyways
Like mentioned, the Live Rock does the job to biological filtration, breaking down detritus to safer toxin levels. The more porous rock the better ability for it to keep more bacteria & thus process waste better, cycling as per say is a continuous thing, yes you go through the major cycles in the beginning but as the bio-load increases or decreases daily, so does the life & processes on the rocks. I mention this to help get a better understanding & the start of your filtration system, fish usually put the highest demand on it, so what you plan on keeping helps determine just how much filtration you will need & yes no two systems will be the same just similar in ways. I won't necessary go with the 1 or 2 pound rules with experienced reefers because as stated rocks can vary the surface area just by the type used. in the main display this is the main source of filtration, or the starting point, from there you need to farther process it usually the preferred method would be by the means of removal. You can go through the series of mechanical filters, sock filters or skimmers or maybe a combination of several of these. If you already looked at my tank you will see I have what is called a coast to coast, weir or trough. These or the common overflow all serve the same purpose just differently, some better than others, mine in particular skim the entire top surface bringing the water down to the sump to get processed. My system in particular, I will from time to time vacuum the water up top with a 3/4" clear hose & suck up as much detritus as I can before it ever becomes a problem, I'll run the other end of the hose down into the sump where it will drain into a 1 or 5 micron sock filter, believe me In no time you will not believe how fast they stop up from junk! This is considered part of my husbandry, I do it every so ofter as I see fit for the tank. When I don't do this, the water falls into the multi chambered sump, it is designed in a way to prevent micro-bubbles from ever entering the suction of the main return pump & display. I learned from Tom (BigT) that unlike most sumps, the final chambers are in the way like the first divider, water is forced down then up & over then down again & finally up & over, I sorta did mine differently leaving off the last stage but 4 separators are the real design. On the side of the sump where water enters from the top, Is a small chamber I made that I can actually slide a sock filter there also, so while cleaning up top it traps everything, I never leave the sock filters overnight, they get cleaned that day & air dried. The next step is where I plan on locating the skimmer, this IMO requires lots of thought & planning, I believe in a really good skimmer & efficient enough to well cover your tank in worse case of a bio-load, this should throughly be researched & studied before buying or DIY one. I sorta went backward on the chambers part, that would be the last step before getting returned. Other equipment after all this would be a fluidized phosphate reactor, carbon filtration, Ozone maybe, the list can go on & each should be studies before starting Or trying to use them. Filtration can go on & on, everyone has some neat tricks, automation to make life easier ETC. this is a brief summery. Lots of things to consider, like water top off, calcium supplementing dealing with algae, disease, setting up a QT tank but today I wanted to try & give you some filtration ideas of a verity, sorta used my tank in process as an example.
Hope this helps, we have lots of tanks in the members showcase forum to look at.
