Filters, yes, no?

[flyingzach]

Question again! On my 75gal with sump, it will pump 700gph out total (coming from a pipe on both ends of the tank) with a skimmer in it. According to TBS I can remove my real filter when I get my LR, is that true? Ill be getting 75lbs for now.

 

[fshhub]

you do not need a mechanical filter ever, not with a skimmer and sump, IMO

 

[musipilot]

Fshhub...you're right, except : a lot of people make some very common mistakes: adding fish too quickly, overfeeding, and not cleaning the substrate completely. Therefore, the use of a simple mechanical filter can help a LOT. In our systems we use a mechanical filter (just a foam pad) to help keep the water particle free. By just using foam, you trap particles, and add water movement at the same time without changing biological and chemical filtration. The simplest and cheapest way to do this in my opinion are aquaclear filters with just the foam block. Works great, and you should SEE what comes out of those pads once a month when I rinse them.

 

[flyingzach]

Ok if I keep the mechanical filter whats the best way to change the pads out without killing off the bacteria. It has 2 biowheels and 2 foam/charcoal pads.

 

[iechy]

If you have LR and sand you don't really need to worry about killing the bacteria on hte filter. The bacteria in your LR and LS would be the main source of filtration and whatever was on the bio-wheel would be supplementing it. Some people would probably suggest that you may want to rinse them with fresh water to get rid of everything so as not to produce excess nitrates. If you are concerned about keeping them alive, though, rinse them with old tank water when you do a water change.

 

[musipilot]

Right...don't worry about rinsing the foam pad in a special way, its only there for particle (mechanical) filtration, so you dont' care what else is on it. We wash it thoroughly in fresh hard running tap water, then replace it once its clean.

 

[fshhub]

back when i did use a filter, we cleaned them when we did water changes, we would take out the water, adn top it off while saving some of the old water and clena tehm in that bucket. BUT, IMO still not needed, just slwo down since patience si needed with or with out a mechanincal filter.
Trust me, I learned this stuff the hard way too. NOw , i am glad I did learn it. It is more wort h it now, and the tank pretty much cares for itself.