HOB Filter

[darkiss]

Hey I have a HOB Filter that is an Empire Bio Wheel.


Currently I do about 15% water changes a week and was wondering, how often do I need to clean the blue filter in the back of this HOB filter. Right now I have just been washing it out in the sink after I dump my old tank water down the drain.

 

[WickedBlue28]

The filter has carbon in it so if that is your only source of carbon you should be changing it once a month or more dependent upon your bio-load.

I've read on here some people don't even use the filter and just rock rubble.

Just don't ever change the filter and bio- wheel at the same time however you shouldn't ever need to change the bio-wheel unless it's damaged

 

[ange062]

I'd use some bonded filter floss and change AT LEAST once a week with your WC's, if not more. Floss is cheap, and you will always have nice clean media to filter out junk from your tank. Agree with wicked on the changing carbon once a month, if not a little more often.

 

[MrGemini]

Would an hob skimmer work better than an hob filter?:bounce3:

 

[WickedBlue28]

They both do different functions and it would be best to run both.

I do the same set up ange has taught us. Change the floss every other day and use a hob skimmer

 

[TundraGuy]

Have you looked at something like the Aquatop PSE1 Hang-On Protein Skimmer w/ UV + Power Filter? I have been looking at this thing wanting to order it and play with it. But it would seem to have both of what you’re looking for plus a uv. The skimmer is going to be adequate at best for a nano being that most “small” skimmers just don’t have the dwell time for great skimming to take place. But I would think on a nano this could be dialed in to get the job done. I would put the uv on a timer, this would work well for a nano to keep the life of the bulb working for a long time. Being on a nano the water turn over would give plenty of exposure to the uv in say a 3 to 4 hour run at a time per day. The last compartment has a drop in style filter cartridge with carbon and filter moss, but could easily be replaced with a small chemi pure elite bag to get so GFO and Carbon in the system. Does anyone run one of these and can chime in on what they think of the unit?

 

[darkiss]

ya i bought a marine life in tank skimmer, and the thing sucks, I had to remove it.
I might look into getting another Skimmer that is HOB and not in tank, if I can't keep my nitrate down. Currently it is higher than I would like.


Okay, so Carbon is good for the saltwater tank, and should be used all of the time.


"I've read on here some people don't even use the filter and just rock rubble."
*Actually have rock rubble in my HOB Refuge*

"bonded filter floss", okay, where do you buy that at? From looking at the pictures it looks like the same type of filter that came with the Empire HOB Filter.

 

[darkiss]

wonder if the Pura Filtration Pad would be a good replacement for "bonded filter floss"

 

[darkiss]

Anyways, I bought some more carbon and some more filter floss and and an aquac pro skimmer should all be here by Monday.

Also going to move my live rock around to get better flow.

I am going to try this out for awhile and perhaps later down the road I will be able to take off the hob filter? And the skimmer and live rock will be enough ? I plan on doing some nitrate tests when I decide to try that, perhaps several months down the road. For now I will bed using skimmer and hob filter and live rock.


So does the live rock need to ever be cleaned like a bi ball would? And what about live rock a sump refuge