reacted befor thinking.

[teena]

I have a 330 penguin filter, The wheels were going a little slow, so i took it off, took it to the sink & cleaned it out. changed the filters, flushed the tube out. Then put water in the back of it & hung it back up, turned it on, & just when it started flowing, i realized, i had put tap water in the back, i was so used to doing that with my freshwater tank. i new as soon as it started i shouldnt off done that. how much damage have i done? I quickly turned it off & went to empty it. & did a quick 8gl water change. was that to little to late?

 

[bertoni]

Do you have any live rock in the tank? I don't know how much damage that could do, but you might have destroyed the bacterial colonies on the filter. I don't use filter wheels, so I can't comment much. I'd watch the ammonia for a few days and start doing water changes if needed.

 

[teena]

yes i have about 7 good size rocks, i thought u needed that pump, you dont? was the quick water change a good thing?

 

[bertoni]

The water change didn't hurt anything, and might have helped. I think I misunderstood your original post. Did you rinse the bio-wheel with saltwater? If not, you're probably okay, although I'd still watch the tank carefully. You might want to check the SG.

I think most reef tanks I've seen don't use bio-wheels or similar filtration. I just use live rock, a protein skimmer, and carbon to do most of the filtration.

 

[teena]

whats carbon,if u dont mind me asking, Im not 4 sure what i need but i dont want something i dont need. it just came with the whole tank when i bought it. i thought i needed it he had it going in there.

 

[bertoni]

Activated carbon is a common chemical filtration media. It binds organic compounds like certain toxins from corals and various compounds that can turn the water yellow.

 

[teena]

how do u use it?

 

[cindy288]

Your tank will be fine.

 

[bertoni]

You just need to put some into a filter bag and arrange to have water pumped through it. A filter like the Penguin might be fine for that. I don't know much about that type of filter because I don't use them, though.

 

[teena]

theres 2 places in the back of the penguin wher u can pour those little black rocks in. is that what your talking about? i can put some in there. also if im goimg to use that how often should i change the wheeles?

 

[bertoni]

Yep, the little black chunks are usually carbon. I don't know anything about the wheels, though.

 

[teena]

I think Im going to pay some one from the salt water fish store 2 come by my house & see if i have everything hooked up right. & if theres anything elese i may need. do u think that would be a good thing to do?

 

[bertoni]

Well, maybe. It depends on how good the person is. Hard to say.

 

[teena]

they have 1 guy that comes to your house & put your tank up 4 u or he will move it from room 2 room or to another house. surley he can tell me the basic.

 

[bertoni]

That might be worth the money if you're worried.

 

[teena]

thanks Im getting ready 2 upgrade 2 a 75g in a week or so Ill just get him 2 set it up 4 me then Ill know it will be done the rightway.

 

[cato]

Buy this book "The New Marine Aquarium" and read it. It's a great place to begin. Costs about $15-$20. Then live on this site and read forever.

 

[teena]

thanks Ill see if my store has that book.

 

[old salty]

I have that book. I read it about a dozen times before I set my tank up. It also is a good reference book when selecting different types of fish.