Critique my filter process

[CodeBlueMedic]

Hey Folks,

So I'm running a MarineLand HOB Emperor 400 on my 29 gallon. As it is currently setup, I am replacing the filter cartridge every week or two (it gets nasty fast). Additionally, I have the grey removable media filter cartridge also in place and have it filled with fluval biomax and a packet of phosguard between the two filters. My question is, would it be more beneficial to run something other than biomax in the one cartridge? I've considered replacing it with additional floss or carbon (as I have a bit of a algae problem on my glass).

I know ideally I would have a sump with macro algae and a GFO reactor, but that isn't possible at this stage of the game.

In general, is there something (other than adding a sump) that I could do to be more efficient with this?

 

[wooden_reefer]

What is the room temperature? Is the heater solid state?

If your room temp is already in the low 70'sF, then a 150 W non-solid state bimetal strip-contact heater is oversized for a 30 gal tank and when stuck closed will overheat too much to kill. Even a solid state heater could malfunction to stay on.

I guess you would have at least significant amount of rock inside the tank. Circulation inside a tank in such a setup will increase filtration.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

Room is kept at 70 generally. I'm looking for filtering advice, not so much general equipmet...but thanks for the info

 

[kurt_n]

How many pounds of rock do you have in the tank? Depending on the amount of rock, you'd probably want to get rid of the ceramic media and just use the HOB for mechanical filtration and a place to put a bag of GFO.

 

[ca1ore]

You'll get as many opinions as there are responses I'm afraid. If you have live rock in the tank, really no need to run biomax (unless you are using it as seeded media for your QT, in which case, keep on keeping on), and I'm personally not a fan of mechanical filtration; so I'd lean towards either carbon or GFO, or maybe both.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

I've got about 20-25 lbs of LR in my tank currently. The only reason I threw the biomax in there, is because I had plenty left over after adding it to my QT. I definitely think GFO is a good idea, considering I'm having a bit of a algae problem. I think I'll pick some up today and replace the biomax with it. I've got carbon as part of the HOB filter cartridge, although it's probably not enough.

What would be the best way to make use of the seeded biomax? Should I just place it in my QT or try to squeeze it into the HOB filter? I don't think there is enough room in the filter box for it. Will it be beneficial just on the bottom of the tank?