55 gallon reef should i remove my filter

[deansreef]

Hello all I have a 55 gallon reef that has been up since october I have a prizm skimmer(works great) and a regent filter the hang on kind with 2 filter bags filled with carbon and i have a powersweep 228 powerhead should i ditch the filter with the carbon and just use the filter for circulation? also I have 55 lbs lr and 50 lbs ls Thanks Dean

 

[up north hermit]

FWIW Dean, I have a small power filter on the back of my reef that I use basically for water movement. I also use it to run a carbon cartridge 48 hrs a week. That's all the time the carbon is really effective anyway, then it just becomes another place for nitrate accumulation, and I yank it until the same time the next week. But it moves the water well across the top of the tank at a place I need it.
My .02
Hermit
BTW, I just use a cartridge, and never use those "bio-plates" or whatever that slide in the back.
[ June 28, 2001: Message edited by: Up North Hermit ]

 

[chopper320]

Crap this sounds like I may have a problem!! My tank is a FOWLR but my only form of filtration besides the LR is 2 Hang on the back filters with carbon!!! Is this bad? What other choices do I have for filtration besides a sump? It's a 55 gal tank if that helps. Sorry for all of the questions but I thought it was great b/c I had 2 hang on the back filters rated for 100gal each but now I find out they could be causing high nitrates!! YIKES!!!

 

[burnnspy]

Carbon is not usually bad, but some will leech phosphates into the tank.
Carbon or any other mechanical filtration is unnecessary for a balanced reef system and usually leads to nitrate buildup.
BurnNSpy

 

[i3luedragon]

Yes, some carbon will release phosphate into your water, so make sure you get the kind that has none of that. Also, carbon usually does only good things to your tanks. Use it to remove copper and other impurities in your tank if your biological filteration can't handle the load. This problem usually occurs if you overstock.
What is meant by increasing nitrates is that the foam around your carbon traps the larger particles which decay and become the bacteria that will additionally contribute to biological filtering with your rocks. But, if there is too much biological, then that's when you have excess nitrates. Usually algae will eat the nitrates.

 

[deansreef]

Thanks all i will use the filter just for water movement and use carbon just to days a month Thanks alot! Dean

 

[andymi]

Chopper: If you are running a Fish Only tank then I would suggest getting a skimmer. There are mixed emotions about this, but some say you dont need a skimmer in a reef tank, but I would suggest you get one in the Fish Only tank.
I havnt read what FOWLR means, but I am assuming Fish Only with Live Rock.
--andy

 

[up north hermit]

I don't believe it is the carbon by itself that can lead to nitrate build up, but the neglect of leaving the carbon in a tank without cleaning it or replacing it.
So I advocate using carbon occasionally, for tank clarity and removal of organics, and for a short period of time. Also, only phospate free carbon, the best you can buy.
My humble .02
Hermit
[ June 30, 2001: Message edited by: Up North Hermit ]

 

[nm reef]

for what its worth I have a millinium 3000 on the back of my reef....normally I have it only for circulation.....no filters of any kind.....once a month or so I drop 2 800 micron filter bags in...one in each chamber.....one is half full of carbon the other with kent marine phosphate/nitrate sponge.....works good for me.........run these bags for about 48 hours then I remove 'em clean 'em up....and do it again the following month