Tips and Suggestions for Filter Media

[JeffyT]

Hello RC,

I am currently running an Innovative Marine 30g Rimless Tank,
http://innovative-marine.com/nuvo-aquarium/micro30.html

I am planning to restart my tank soon and want to really focus on filtration technique. My first setup crashed hard because I had a very difficult time regulating all the biowaste coming from the fish and coral in my tank.

My new intended setup is to eventually only host a pair of clowns with an anemone or two.

I have the custom made inTank media filters for my tank. I want to run this setup:
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Rimless-Nano-Cube-30-Media-Basket-RL30MR.htm

Filter Floss - I intend to put filter floss on top of each filter media in the slots to reduce Detritus from getting into/onto the media bags.

Top Slot : Chemi-Pure Elite : this is my GFO/Activated Carbon Mix. To my understanding this will help remove phosphates, nitrates, nitrates and ammonia. The elite version also helps with pH regulation.
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Chemi-Pure-Elite-1174-oz-Bag-ELITE11OZ.htm

2nd Slot : Seachem Purigen 100mL - Helps remove impurities; im not even sure what that means but I've been told it pairs well with the Chemi-Pure
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Seachem-Purigen-100mL-in-Bag-SEA-165.htm

3rd Slot : Seachem Phosgaurd - Phosphate removal.
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Seachem-Phosguard-100mL-Bag-SEA-185.htm

or I would like to consider Seachem Seagel 100mL
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Seachem-SeaGel-100mL-Bag-SEA-65.htm

There will be two media baskets running this setup. Is this going over the top? Can you have too much filtration media?

I also intend to buy the Innovative Marine Protein Skimmer Midsized Ghost Edition.

Also any recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

 

[wooden_reefer]

What is wrong with LR in a sump?

"only host a pair of clowns with an anemone"

Those that live symbiotically with clowns generally need strong light and so nitrate has to be low.

You can handle the bioload by cycling and having the right medium. Ammonia and nitrite are processed biologically.

Some aquarists state that detritus is decomposable. I don’t think so. Any decomposable material will decompose if not removed. It is a good idea to not allow protein to decompose in anaerobic condition, so decomposable materials should not be trapped and deprived of O2.

 

[JeffyT]

What is wrong with LR in a sump?

"only host a pair of clowns with an anemone"

Those that live symbiotically with clowns generally need strong light and so nitrate has to be low.

You can handle the bioload by cycling and having the right medium. Ammonia and nitrite are processed biologically.

Some aquarists state that detritus is decomposable. I don't think so. Any decomposable material will decompose if not removed. It is a good idea to not allow protein to decompose in anaerobic condition, so decomposable materials should not be trapped and deprived of O2.

Sorry, I don't want to sound rude.. but I don't think you really answered any of the questions I had.

 

[wooden_reefer]

Sorry, I don't want to sound rude.. but I don't think you really answered any of the questions I had.

OK. I know what you mean. Rather strange are:

"My first setup crashed hard because I had a very difficult time regulating all the biowaste coming from the fish and coral in my tank."

"To my understanding this will help remove phosphates, nitrates, nitrates and ammonia."

 

[JeffyT]

OK. I know what you mean. Rather strange are:

"My first setup crashed hard because I had a very difficult time regulating all the biowaste coming from the fish and coral in my tank."

"To my understanding this will help remove phosphates, nitrates, nitrates and ammonia."

I still don't understand what you are getting at. You just quoting what I said. There's no explanation or reasoning or questions.

I just want to know if the the setup I intend to use will suffice?

I also wanted to know if you could ever be using too much filter media? In example, I plan on using 2 of each mentioned above in each slot. Thats 6 bags of filter media. Is that too much or "overkill"?

 

[wooden_reefer]

Unless your last medium was grossly wrong, you should not "have a very difficult time regulating all the biowaste coming from the fish and coral in my tank".

Ammonia and nitrite are not removed by Chemi-pure. They are processed by bacterial activity.

 

[LJA]

Can you have too much filtration media?

Yes.

I have always preferred biological filtration, though it is true this alone is not usually adequate to export nutrients. Consider the types of filtration options you can choose from:

Biological: sand (DSB), macroalgae, LR, carbon dosing ect...
Mechanical: skimmer, filter floss (for detritus, not as bacteria medium), filter sock ect..
Chemical: GFO, GAC, purigen others...

I've never been a fan of chemical medium to help with the bioload but I have personally used GFO and GAC for different periods of time. IMO your best off with as many biological options as possible, a skimmer and small water changes.

 

[acabgd]

I tried both ChemiPure Elite and Purigen in my small nano a few years ago. The simple fact is they are too expensive. You're better off using generic GFO and GAC, such as from BRS.

Yes, you can have too much filtration and basically strip almost everything from your water, depriving beneficial bacteria and your corals from much needed food.

You need a very strong light for an anemone. Also, don't be surprised if the clowns simply won't host your anemone(s).

 

[Coelli]

What was the setup that you had before that crashed...? How much live rock are you planning to have in the display tank?

 

[JeffyT]

Yes.

I have always preferred biological filtration, though it is true this alone is not usually adequate to export nutrients. Consider the types of filtration options you can choose from:

Biological: sand (DSB), macroalgae, LR, carbon dosing ect...
Mechanical: skimmer, filter floss (for detritus, not as bacteria medium), filter sock ect..
Chemical: GFO, GAC, purigen others...

I've never been a fan of chemical medium to help with the bioload but I have personally used GFO and GAC for different periods of time. IMO your best off with as many biological options as possible, a skimmer and small water changes.

Thank you for the info,

I do have sand and a proteim skimmer, I also intend to do 5-10 percent water change weekly. My intention was to have TWO media filters setup like what I mentioned above. My question is concerning whether or not I will even need that much?

 

[JeffyT]

I tried both ChemiPure Elite and Purigen in my small nano a few years ago. The simple fact is they are too expensive. You're better off using generic GFO and GAC, such as from BRS.

Yes, you can have too much filtration and basically strip almost everything from your water, depriving beneficial bacteria and your corals from much needed food.

You need a very strong light for an anemone. Also, don't be surprised if the clowns simply won't host your anemone(s).

Thank you for the reply,

I think i can manage to buy the ChemiPure Elite and Purigen every 3 months, Its recommended to be changed out every 3-4 months.

Okay.. so im gonna take a wild guess that if I should probably cut back on an entire media basket and just do one.

Is there a way I can tell that my media filtration is affecting my live stock? or is it one of those slow creepers that pretty much eat away at my fishies?

 

[LJA]

Thank you for the info,

I do have sand and a proteim skimmer, I also intend to do 5-10 percent water change weekly. My intention was to have TWO media filters setup like what I mentioned above. My question is concerning whether or not I will even need that much?

I would add only as needed. No reason to start from go with x y z filter media if you don't need it. Buy a good test kit and test your nutrients as you progress. Want to know what the best test kit is? Your eyes. If you see your fish/coral acting up or algae blooms - you have a problem. If I were you I would run the skimmer and add cheato to the sump to start and that's it. You can run carbon if it makes you happy but there is really no need. Add other filtration options IF you need them. HTH

GL HF

 

[JeffyT]

What was the setup that you had before that crashed...? How much live rock are you planning to have in the display tank?

Innovative Marine 30g Tank,

Protein Skimmer, Filter Floss, ChemiPure Elite, Purigen, Thermostat.

I was only doing 5 gallon water changes every 2 weeks.

I had a Onyx Clown, 3 Hammerhead Corals, 1 Kenya Piece, and this pink coral that looks like a pulsing flower,

CUC: Couple of Margerita Snails, Emerald Crab, Arrowhead Crab, Cleaner shrimp.

I head healthy coraline growth, but the algae was too crazy.

This time around, since I am going with just a pair of clowns and an anemone, i was only going to use about 16-20 pounds of live rock instead of the 25 i had before.

 

[JeffyT]

I would add only as needed. No reason to start from go with x y z filter media if you don't need it. Buy a good test kit and test your nutrients as you progress. Want to know what the best test kit is? Your eyes. If you see your fish/coral acting up or algae blooms - you have a problem. If I were you I would run the skimmer and add cheato to the sump to start and that's it. You can run carbon if it makes you happy but there is really no need. Add other filtration options IF you need them. HTH

GL HF

Thanks for the tips and advice! That sounds like a very good idea! I just really hate the sight of any algae! ARGH!