Should i huck my filters, and just use a skimmer+liverock?

[sepulcherx]

Ive been doing allot of reading. Im new to the reef scene but have been in freshwater forever. I transfered all of my filters from my freshwater to my saltwater tank and started cycling. But after all the reading ive been doing. Everyone just seems to have a good skimmer and lots of live rock with some live sand for filtration.

Quesetion is.. are my filters causing more harm than good?
I have:

fluval 404 (media: lava rock - carbon - sponges - etc)
emperor 400
weak skimmer

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

It depends. Each setup is different, and each type of filter accomplishes a different thing. What works for one setup may not be the best for another.

Generally the problem with most filters is that the filter media will accumulate so much crud that it becomes a nitrate factory, screwing up your nitrogen cycle. You can combat this by cleaning the filter regularly, but it also disturbs the bacteria colony on the filter.

If you go with just a skimmer, make sure to keep up on the water changes, and make sure you've got a decent skimmer.

For my 2.5g nano I actually only have a whisper HOB 1 on the back ... lol. It's so large, it actually acts as a HOB fuge. lmao! On my nanocube, I can't fit a skimmer or I would put one on, so right now it's only got water changes etc. When I had a 30g, it was just water changes, LR, and the AquaC Remora HOB skimmer.

I'm not sure what others will say, but for me, tank size seems to be an important factor in the question of filter type etc ... and you didn't mention that. So uh, you decide!

Good luck!

 

[sepulcherx]

oh sorry about that.
I have a 55 gallon.
And my cycle seems to be taking forver. Thats why I might be suspecting that the fluval is takign some part in this long cycle. I just put on a skimmer, but i got a cheap one. Im looking into buying a better one in the next few days.

So having the filters i listed above isnt a bad thing?

 

[tangir1]

I agree. If you want to keep a relatively high bioload of fishes, a fluval or even a wetdry maybe not a bad idea. But if you are into coral and not much fish, you will be better off without them.

 

[mountainbiker619]

Running a canister filter is good for carbon and such, just as long as you check and clean it frequently (like weekly). I used a Eheim canister wet/dry on my 120g FOWLR and was glad I was running it.

 

[robitreef]

As mentioned above, if you are just keeping fish, you can use the filters. The problem is when you want to keep coral. Mechanical filtration is great as long as you change the media at regular intervals, otherwise there is a buildup of nitrate. This was the problem with many of the wet-dry filters years ago that used filter media instead of live rock/sand. They became nutrient sinks, and the corals could not take it. Nitrate levels shouldn't be high anyway, but fish are more tolerant of a higher level then coral. This being said they should still not be subjected to high nitrates for long periods. I think it is a good idea to include live rock even if you only want to keep fish, but you will need some sufficient lighting and probably some addition of calcium to keep the corraline algae growing on the rock.

 

[Anonymous]

Skimmer, live rock, and a 3-4" DSB is all I ever use except for a magnum HOT canister for carbon.

 

[Anonymous]

ps HF to using the word "huck"

 

[sepulcherx]

looks like im getting the Cyclone BAK-PAK 2R Bio-Filter REEF READY skimmer. So we'll see how it will work on the 55 gallon. BTW i have power compact lights - 10,000k 95watt plus 95 atinic lights

 

[Anonymous]

I think most people say a Remora out performs a Bak-Pak. If you've got the extra cash, I'd get a remora.

B