I have a 55 gallon reef and it's been running for about 8 months. I have been reading a lot about the nutrient requirements and am moving toward or seriously considering taking out any and all mechanical filters or sponges that trap debris in the filter. I have soft corals and a couple of clams, feather duster etc... and want to make sure that the food source floating through the water is not inhibited from circulating through the system. Is this a good thing to do or not?
Mechanical Filter
- Thread starter Honez
- Start date
rivank
New member
I have a 46 gal reef with a plenum and was just told by the LFS to add a mechanical filter to help remove the excess debris to help control my nitrate load in the tank. I have a small (very small) soft coral load with two shrimp two emerald crabs 4 hermits and a neon dotty. Is there a right or wrong answer to this?
Not really.
. While your LFS is right that a mechanical filter will help remove some of the excess dietritus(debris). It isn't going to help as much as a good skimmer. Personally I still run a Power filter, along with my skimmer just make sure you clean the filter often at least once a week or more, otherwise it will just start releasing all the crap it caught back into the water wich will actually make your nitrates worse. Hope this helpsIt looks like both of you are doing things just a little bit differently and both are being successful? Why change. Unless you are having problems, I would not mess with either set-up, unless, of course, you want to try something different/new/better/upgrade, etc. Then change it.
That being said, Honez, it seems to me that most people do not use mechanical filtration in a reef, except for a skimmer. I don't know how taking out the filters could "inhibit" the food source floating through the water?
Rivank, it seems you have a real low bioload already. Are you having excess debris and nitrate in your system now? Your plenum, if set up properly (along with a good cleanup crew) should really help in that regard.
Best of luck to you both, Frank
That being said, Honez, it seems to me that most people do not use mechanical filtration in a reef, except for a skimmer. I don't know how taking out the filters could "inhibit" the food source floating through the water?
Rivank, it seems you have a real low bioload already. Are you having excess debris and nitrate in your system now? Your plenum, if set up properly (along with a good cleanup crew) should really help in that regard.
Best of luck to you both, Frank
rivank, is this a new tank setup? You do need to give things time to do their stuff. It doesn't sound like you really have any noticeable problems, yet, like excessive algae or anything?
It doesn't sound like you have a real problem yet, but if you feel better about it, then add the filter. Remember to clean/change it every few days, or it doesn't help (the filter pad is still in your system with the crud it catches). What is the nitrate reading, anyway?
What water are you using for your changes, R/O or tap? How many have you done? And how long have you been doing them? Exactly what are you feeding? You do have a very light bioload (only one fish?) I don't have any knowledge on the nitra-zorb so really don't have any advice on its use, except, I don't like using a lot of different things (chemical type) unless under extreme conditions. Try it and see if it helps.
Once again, go slow. It does take patience and you will get the readings down. Oh, and enjoy your tank.
Frank
It doesn't sound like you have a real problem yet, but if you feel better about it, then add the filter. Remember to clean/change it every few days, or it doesn't help (the filter pad is still in your system with the crud it catches). What is the nitrate reading, anyway?
What water are you using for your changes, R/O or tap? How many have you done? And how long have you been doing them? Exactly what are you feeding? You do have a very light bioload (only one fish?) I don't have any knowledge on the nitra-zorb so really don't have any advice on its use, except, I don't like using a lot of different things (chemical type) unless under extreme conditions. Try it and see if it helps.
Once again, go slow. It does take patience and you will get the readings down. Oh, and enjoy your tank.
Frank
rivank
New member
The nitrate readings are 160 to 80. Some times they seem to be higher than 160. The LFS told me that I might have a defective test kit for nitrates so I will be taking a sample to them in the am. I use tap water cuz I have no effective way to transport RO from the LFS right now. I treat the tap with Amquel Plus before adding my salt to it. 3 changes have been made since thursday with no noticable change in nitrate reading. Hence the thought of a bad test kit! My colony of about 40-50 yellow polyps seem to have dwindled down to 20-25 the rest seem to be doing great. Will fill in on the history of the tank tomorrow. Its quite long and I have taken up enough space right now. It's a scary story!
PatMayo
New member
Water changes will not appreciably change nitrates. You may want to read these articles. They may help you.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm
Regards,
Pat
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm
Regards,
Pat
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