What is the best living filter?

[BCOrchidGuy]

Okay, I've got a sump and not entirely pleased with it so I'm thinking about redesigning it but before I do I wanted to find out peoples opinions about what the best live filter is. Sponges are great but slow growing, what about soft corals? How about Macro Algaes? Gorgonians?
I'd like something I can keep a few blue legged hermit crabs with for bigger bits of crud but what would be a great water polisher?

Doug

[kwirky]

you mean things that export/use nutrients?

[christyf5]

I would suggest macroalgae as most living things wouldn't be well supported by the amount of nutrients in your water (ie. you probably don't have enough). :biggrin:

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Xenia is good, I hear. I'm not sure if that's what you mean, though....

[BCOrchidGuy]

Thanks for the replies, Christy, I think you are right, not enough nutrients with out polluting the rest of the tank.
I guess Macro Algaes will be the garden under the tank.

Doug

[Scavenger]

I've heard of all sorts of life filters in the sump or fuge,but have no first hand experience:

1:Live Oysters. (if one dies your in trouble)
2:Mangroves
3:Aipstatia farm
4:Xenia
5:Button Polyps

There is an interesting video on sump design here with live filters incorporated www.reefvideos.com (2nd vid from left on top row.)

Hope some of this helps.