Filtering confusion

[Young Frankenstein]

Use carbon, don't use carbon, use carbon for a few days, use bio balls, don't use bio balls, use bio balls and clean them etc. Whats an ideal filtering system in a reef tank with adequate live rock and a wet dry filter? Please I am confused. TY

 

[t5Nitro]

I would throw away the bioballs slowly, some here and some there until they are gone. Then I would replace them with LR rubble. On carbon, you don't have to use it at all. You can run it 24/7 or once in a while, just change it once a month.

Also if you have nitrate or phosphate problems, with that LR rubble in the sump, throw in a small 23w flood light or something around 3-5,000k in temperature and put in a ball of chaeto (macro algae), this will export phosphates and nitrates.

 

[Frick-n-Frags]

the real idea of a reef system is to put all the biology on the LR in your main tank. (sort of putting the wet part of the filter up top)

a dry filter is a super aerobic environment for making nitrates. except, unlike the LR upstairs there are no anaerobes in the deep pores which can de-nitrify some of that nitrate produced nearby by the nitrifiers, so bottom line: lose the dry filter(ie the bio-balls or any trickle/drip/spraybar stuff)


carbon ADsorbs certain molecules into its myriad of pores. these molecules include heavy metals, organic dyes and other organics.

so, if you hear people talking about polishing their water with carbon, it removes the yellowish tint.

The carbon has nothing to do with bacteria and the whole nitrate thing, so it is a separate facet of your overall filtration suite.

 

[teena]

so if i dont have a sump & im running a pinguin what is a alturnative from buying filters & having that big thing on the back of my tank,

 

[drummereef]

Re: Filtering confusion

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9498131#post9498131 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 0 Agios
Use carbon, don't use carbon, use carbon for a few days, use bio balls, don't use bio balls, use bio balls and clean them etc. Whats an ideal filtering system in a reef tank with adequate live rock and a wet dry filter? Please I am confused. TY

Here's all you need for filtration:

1. 1-2lb/gallon of live rock
2. An efficient skimmer (this does not include skilters or seaclones)
3. Proper flow (at least 20x turnover in the display)


No bioballs, no wet/dry for reef tanks. I run carbon 24/7 and change it monthly. Really helps keep the water crystal clear.

 

[teena]

but if i turn the pinguin off with in 2hr my water gets a fog not bad but not as clear,

 

[teena]

is there another way to run carbon besides using the pinguin, some say put a small bag in some high flow, is this true

 

[loves saltwater]

Yes you can use a media bag with carbon just make sure it is washed very good and put it in a high flow area.

 

[teena]

what is a media bag, & how much carbon do you use in it? any pics,

 

[clevername]

wow

 

[Reefbox]

Filtering can be confusing because of all the different options you have to choose from and everyone has different opinions. I have setup many reef systems and I'm a big fan of running a remote deep sand bed overflowing into a refugium with or without a protein skimmer for my filtration. RDSB are inexpensive and you get a big bang for the dollar. It will eat up nitrates like nothing else. Give it a try, you will be glad.

I know people who keep great mature tanks w/LR and don't run a skimmer or refugium. They export nutrients via regular frequent water changes and I find myself doing more and more water changes because you can see the positive effects, but I have my system setup where I open and close valves to do this.

As for carbon. I didn't run it for years but now I do and it is definitely beneficial. It neutralizes the toxic coral soup in the tank and polishes the water giving your corals better clear water for the light to shine through.