do i need a filter?
- Thread starter chemjoey
- Start date
Mariner
New member
Assuming you're using a skimmer and live rock, you don't "need" it, but you can use it. If you do, you will want to remove the biowheel (assuming you're using live rock). The LR will provide your biofiltration and doesn't need the biowheel interfering with the process.
I have an HOB filter on my 75g that has no sump. It's useful to run filter media and carbon in as needed -- if you use it this way, keep the media and carbon changed -- every couple of weeks -- otherwise, it also will become a biofilter.
hope this helps.
Mariner
I have an HOB filter on my 75g that has no sump. It's useful to run filter media and carbon in as needed -- if you use it this way, keep the media and carbon changed -- every couple of weeks -- otherwise, it also will become a biofilter.
hope this helps.
Mariner
Mariner
New member
Yes, absolutely take the biowheels out. Run your filter without them or don't run it at all. I can give you the long explanation if you want it, or you can trust me 
Mariner
p.s. Ok, here's the preview to the long explanation: There are three basic kinds of filtration in a reef tank -- biological, chemical and mechanical.
1) Mechanical = filter media, skimmers, etc that mechanically remove potential pollutants such as excess food and fish poo, before they decompose.
2) Chemical = carbon, phosban, etc. -- chemical compounds that bind or catch certain pollutants.
3) Biological -- mostly occurs at the microscopic level in live rock and in sandbeds, although larger biological filters such as macro algae are also important. At the micro level, good bacteria process nitrogen (ammonia) into less harmful forms (nitrates). Live rock colonizes the bacteria that do this. A biowheel is designed to colonize the same or similar bacteria, but works with such efficiency that there are at least a couple of negative consequences:
-- Nitrate levels tend to run high -- not good for many corals.
-- The good bacteria colonies in the LR are starved and the LR ceases to perform its function.
If this makes sense to you, you're ahead of the game. If not, you can go back to trusting me.
Mariner
Mariner
p.s. Ok, here's the preview to the long explanation: There are three basic kinds of filtration in a reef tank -- biological, chemical and mechanical.
1) Mechanical = filter media, skimmers, etc that mechanically remove potential pollutants such as excess food and fish poo, before they decompose.
2) Chemical = carbon, phosban, etc. -- chemical compounds that bind or catch certain pollutants.
3) Biological -- mostly occurs at the microscopic level in live rock and in sandbeds, although larger biological filters such as macro algae are also important. At the micro level, good bacteria process nitrogen (ammonia) into less harmful forms (nitrates). Live rock colonizes the bacteria that do this. A biowheel is designed to colonize the same or similar bacteria, but works with such efficiency that there are at least a couple of negative consequences:
-- Nitrate levels tend to run high -- not good for many corals.
-- The good bacteria colonies in the LR are starved and the LR ceases to perform its function.
If this makes sense to you, you're ahead of the game. If not, you can go back to trusting me.
Mariner
