Filters?

jcsurfn

jcsurfn

Member
I have a 55 gal. tank. I have
60# aragonite sand
20# LR (Plan to get more)
CPR Bak Pak protein skimmer with bio filtration
802 power head
I already cycled the tank once with 6 damsels. I have sense took them out and have added LR I plan to add more LR. My question is on the CPR Bak Pak protein skimmer with the bio filtration the one that has the blue shredded up pvc pipe like stuff in it. Do I want to keep that in there? I had someone at my lfs say I might want to take that stuff out?
Also if I want to add another filter like a Hot Magnum do I have to re cycle the tank for that filter?
Thank You
 
pstanley

pstanley

Member
It depends on your bio load. If the bio load is low then the live rock will be enough for the biological filtration. I personally keep the biobale in my skimmer for additional filtration but if it is not kept clean you will end up with nitrate problems. If you add another filter you do not have to recycle the tank...the bacteria will continue to grow on the new filter.
 
jcsurfn

jcsurfn

Member
Does anyone thingk it would be a good idea to add something like a Hot Magnum or something else to my filtration? and recmendations?
Also do you think the 802 power head is enough circulation for a 55 gal. tank. It seems to be working good.
Thank You
 
O

ohioballer

Guest
for my 55 i use a aquaclear 75 pro wet/dry filter and a H.O.T. fliter with four powerheads for curculation
 
kandr

kandr

Member
I like to hit all the bases. Machanical, biological (anerobic and arobic), and chemical filtration. I'm just starting out in this hobby myself, but i don't think you can go overboard.
The best thing I have done so far was make myself a sump/refiugm with a 4 inch LSB and calpeura algae. The calpeura will use nitrates (somehow) to grow, and the deep sand bed in the refiugm will give anerobic nitrate eating bacteria an oxygen free place to live. You can also add some carbon to the sump intake and take care of your chemical filtration this way.
The whole setup cost me about $50(including pump), and a few trips to home depot.
 
jcsurfn

jcsurfn

Member
So you built a sump for $50.00 really?
I dont have my tank plumed to get a sump. I could go the wet dry rout. Or the canister or Hot maganum route.
I diffenetly want to go the sump rout when I can get a new tank. Like a 100 gal. I have a 55 gal. now.
 
jcsurfn

jcsurfn

Member
How much better is a wet dry filter than a canister or a Hot Maganum if better at all?
Aslo what are the advantages to a wet dry filter?
Thank You
 
scubadiver

scubadiver

New Member
I am hanging a Aqua C Remora with the Rio 1200 upgrade, 125# LS and 1# of LR per gallon.... I will build a sump later for top off and buffer additves.... $50 sounds about right for my cost too ;)
I tried using alot of mechanical filtration a few years ago and it was a night mare!!! Let nature do the filtering and you will be much happier... just someones opinion :)
PS... the mechanical filters are good for clearing up yellowing (carbon filtering) but just a couple of hours each month may be sufficient. Good luck to you.
 
dindi

dindi

Member
I have watched and seen...I'm still a newbie after 1.5 years. I have a clown stergeon (sp) and a few other little fish. I started with 80lbs of LS and 35 lbs of LR. I didn't lose any of my fish until I put in a Yellow Tang which had "ich". Well...the ich killed my damsels, I was reluctant to use any meds because I had polyp rocks and other inverts that would be VERY unhappy, I lost the Tang and Damsels but nothing else (I cried). I still have the coral beauty and royal gramma plus ALL my shrimp and snails. My water condition is 0 amm, 0 nitrites but still .25 nitrates even with weekly water changes using R/O water adding Kalwsser buffer nad Cal plus stom and other nutrients. I have the "Mud system" filtartion and plenty of "pods" my real question, why are my nitrates so high? I have a 75 gal tank with a "wave maker and a spray bar using my Fluval 404
'
 
kandr

kandr

Member

Originally posted by jcsurfn
So you built a sump for $50.00 really?
I dont have my tank plumed to get a sump.

No need. I built myself an overflow. PCV and two containers is all you need. Works great. Made the box for it myself out of plexi glass, but any container will do. Clear is better. Less visable IMO. I connected a small piece of airline tubing to the top of the syphon pipe to help start the syphone. Check out this page for ideas...
http://www.angelfire.com/ok/dog1/sumps.html
And this one is better for the overflow.
http://www.saltreef.com/Answers/overflow.htm
Personaly I prefer an overflow box. It takes up a lot less room, and never seams to break its syphon. And there is no chance my tank will spill water. I tested it by breaking my syphon, and also, by turning off the pump while syphon was on. My sump has proved capable of holding all the water.
 
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