Filter cartridge removal ??

[fuelman]

I have a Magnum 350 canister w/dual bio wheels on my 55 reef tank.

Should I remove the filter cartridge from it and just use the prefilter and carbon chamber in conjunction with the bio wheels?

I have heard conflicting stories on this subject and need some good advice.

 

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on your application. Any information (including whether or not you're having problems with it as is) would be helpful. Have you got live rock, a deep sand bed? So on and so forth.

 

[randy holmes-farley]

I agree. It depends on what your setup is like, and what you want the magnum to accomplish. You may not need any part of it.

 

[fuelman]

It is a 55 gal tank with 2' live sand bed and 30lbs of base rock and 40lbs of live rock. The tank is almost done cycling and I am going to have both soft and hard corals with about 20" of fish. I have heard that the filter media will be nothing but a nitrate trap and it would be better to remove it and just use charcoal for polishing and the biowheels for filtering.

I figure this is the place to find out for sure.

Specs are in tank profiles.

 

[randy holmes-farley]

Yes, I'd take out the filter cartridge now.

 

[Anonymous]

Do NOT use anything labeled "charcoal". You should only be using the best quality carbon (some stuff can actually leach phosphates). The term "nitrate trap" is actually quite misleading. Think about it, there will only be as much nitrate left as there was ammonia and nitrites to first produce it. If your intention with the sand bed is to gain denitrification via anoxic layer, 2" is far insufficient--double that. Otherwise, stick to large water changes to gain best effect (assuming that your freshly mixed water hasn't got nitrate readings, this can occur when using municipal water supply--40ppm is perfectly acceptable for potable water in many localities).

 

[fuelman]

Thanks Seamaiden & Randy

I appreciate the info. I have Black Diamond Carbon to use in the media container so I should be all set.

The sand bed is pretty much just for the blennies, star and crabs.

Tony

 

[randy holmes-farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck!