Skimmer and power filter swap

[austin552]

My Coralife Super Skimmer just came in. Should I ditch the Millenium 2000 or keep it for extra filtration? The Power Sweep power head has a foam filter also. Should I leave that on the power head?

 

[bertoni]

What animals do you have in the tank so far?

I avoid filtration like the Millenium 2000 and the foam filters since they are more maintenance and seem to increase the nitrate level in some cases, but removing them suddenly could cause an ammonia spike.

 

[austin552]

I can turn the Millenium down gradually. 1 Skunk shrimp, 1 Turbo snail, 1 Pepermint shrimp, 1 Lawnmower blenny, 1 dottyback, 1 pajama fish. Doesn't the foam filter on the power sweep keep it clean inside?

 

[bertoni]

How much live rock is there in the tank? That's a pretty reasonable fish load, so you should be able to ditch the Millenium if you have at least 30 lbs or so of live rock. I would watch all the parameters carefully, though.

The foam filter pad does keep the powerhead clean. If the foam gets thoroughly cleaned once a week or so, it'll probably be okay, but they can cause nitrate problems. I have foam over the powerheads in my anemone tank, and hate them. They remove food from the water column and clog up. I will remove them once I put together a plastic mesh anemone guard. It's a personal choice, though.

 

[austin552]

I have 24lbs of BR, 26lbs of LR and 40lbs of LS. Once the Superskimmer is going maybe I will remove the foam from the PH. Since I already have the Millenium, guess I will keep it going also.

 

[AnAnemone]

Ditch the foam. As was stated, they require maintenence. I try to keep from putting my hands in the tank as much as I can.
I started the hobby with a 29g. Very manageable tank, and through it, fell in love with the hobby.
You wouldn't regret adding a bunch more snails, though.
TimO

 

[nm354]

ditch the filter and the foam and get more power heads.

 

[nanoreef58]

lose the bio grid on the millenium and use it for carbon, phosgard etc placement in a mesh bag