is there suck thing as too much filtration?

[ALEXV]

Hi Guys..I am here for some inputs again..

Let me tell you what I have in general,
I have a 90gl reef with a 2229 eheim wet/dry filter (for up to 150gl tanks) and a skimmer of course

So, as you may already know, eheim says only to use the media that comes with the filter, so what i want to do is buy another filter, this time a canister filter a cheap one from jebo

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7742334707&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

and what i want to do is in this one put other type of media, for example phophate pads or phos-zorb

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1




and Chemi-pure

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

do you think it would be a good idea? would this deplete nutrients in the water? would I be over filtrating water that is already RO/DI??...i can just add nutrients more often correct?

thank you guys.......

I am not endorsing any website, these are just for reference

thank you again

 

[mmgm]

Hi Alex:

In general I would stay away from Mechanical Filters completely. The reason is in order for these types of filters to be effective they have to be cleaned regularly. If not, you end up with high Nitrate and Phosphate levels. By introducing additional filters that will act as Phosphate sponge and Chempure as filter you are potentially adding to the condition that causes high Phophates/Nitrates to begin with....

In my opinion utilizing a Berlin sump system with plenty of LR, refugium, DSB and Oversized skimmer will give you excellent filtration resulting in pristine water conditions. I use this type of system and never have issues with my water parameters. I added a cannister filter to run carbon and also "Polish" the water when needed..... however, I srtopped doing this because the water is emmaculate with Berlin system described combined with weekly water changes.....

JMO....

Good Luck......

 

[WaterKeeper]

I'll partly disagree here. The more your filters "suck" :eek1: the more one removes from the water. Even in the Berlin system a mechanical filter, protein skimmer, is used. It is true, however, that you don't want that mechanical filter to become part of the biological system so you need to clean it frequently. Therein lies the problems with a wet/dry. By design they are actually a mechanically assisted biofilter. It has been found through, trial and error, that they usually encourage nitrate production. Using a natural system of LR and LS can avoid that problem as they can denitrify; something a wet/dry cannot do.

That canister filter, on the other hand, can be used to polish the water, run a phosphate removal product or activated carbon. I indeed feel they are a good addition to any tank. I'm not familiar with Chemi-pure. It looks like activated carbon but could contain a DI resin not compatible with SW tanks. Nothing in the ad you linked to indicates using it for SW.

 

[ALEXV]

Thank you guys,
Ok lets forget about the sump and refugium, trust me I know they are better but I dont have the space, so that option is out of the picture, my question is basically can I run another filter without hurting the corals, the fish or the integrity of the water and its nutrients....I dont mind cleaning and replacing the carbon filters or phosphate pads every 8 weeks....I clean the Eheim every 8 weeks anyway.

Please let me know your inputs please

 

[josetexe]

can i made a refugium whit a 10g tank?

 

[mmgm]

My first tank was a 90 gallon with wet/dry filter..... No matter how often I cleaned the filter my Nitrate levels were always elevated. and I had issues keeping things alive until switching to Berlin system...... (I admit my skimmer was under-rated and contributed to the issues... but thats another topic of discussion)

Questions:
How are your Nitrate levels using your current filter system?

Are your corals/livestock healthy?

Do you notice any discoloration in your water? (Yellowing)

If your water parameters are all excellent and livestock is healthy I would not add another filter. Since your current filter is rated for 150 gallon tank you are probably getting sufficient filtration with current system.

If your Nitrate levels are elevated I would definetly not add another cannister filter to the system.

If you have issues with water parameters or water discoloration I would consider the Berlin sump system mentioned earlier..... I know this is not an option... but in my opinion wet/dry filters end up giving you issues sooner or later.....

Enjoy.......

 

[AllenFord_SC]

You can make a refugium out of a power filter if you want. Yes a 10 gallon will work, the recommended size is 20% of your display so 10 g is right up your alley. Make sure not to send a gulf stream of water through it though. 30 to 50 GPH should be perfect.

 

[josetexe]

what o.f. prefilter will do that?
and i need to run a chiller.