Media, Bags, and all that jazz

[fishaholic911]

One little "glitch" with that... My fuge sits above my DT. I use the canister filter return to supply it, and then it gravity feeds back into the DT.

Could I empty the canister (of the filter pads and bio balls), and still feed the fuge that way? Or would this just be asking for the same problems?

The canister has the surface "skimmer" on it, and without it I seem to get some build up on it. So if I remove the canister, any suggestions on how to keep the water surface clean?

I would try emptying it out and monitor your nitrates.

 

[savageAJC]

If the canister is empty and flow is enough so no detrius settles at the bottom It should be fine

 

[victornator333]

i may be wrong, but doesnt pointing a powerhead at the surface cause agitation that would break up the buildup?

 

[Tucson Reef]

It could but its oil film from organics, best to skim it off surface if you can, then the skimmer will get it out alltogether. We used to use newspaper to soak it up when skimmers were just in Germany and high dollar, then someone got the idea to skim to surface and all was good, probly a pool guy, lol.

 

[sillygoose]

Huh- that's' what I'm seeing on the top of my nano - no skimmer on it. You know those grease/oil "mops" that you use to skim excess fat off of soups and sauces? I wonder if I could use one of those to clean the water surface.

 

[Tucson Reef]

Just tear up some newspaper, 3"-4" strips turn off flow, hold at both ends and dip in on surface, throw away, keep using new strips till all gone. Quick dips, don't let paper get soggy, the dry edges do the grabbing.

 

[sillygoose]

no kidding - thanks.

 

[Jmnazari]

My tank is a 46gal, all I have is a powerhead and a HOB skimmer. It's been going for about 4 months now, got about .2-.3 phosphate level and I still dont have any algae or cyano growing. Only downside, is my coraline seems to grow pretty slow.....

 

[99Trev]

I found a 30 gallon plastic storage container that will fit under the tank. The problem is the door.. but I am thinking (or hoping) that if I can get the storage container hot enough that I can "fold" it enough to squeeze it through the opening. It is 17" tall, and my opening is 12". Might have to wait for warmer weather, park the car (with container) outside with windows rolled up. Should make it a bit flexible.

I will then put in plexi dividers to section the thing out (and add some wall supports), and move my 10gal fuge to sit above the 30 gal container.

SO... I have been looking at overflows, and return pumps. Can anyone point me to a "calculator" to determine GPH?

I have found calculators for sump volume for when power goes out. and recommended minimum volume for sump based on GPH, but not how much GPH I need.