Fluval 404 users

[marty]

How often do you change your carbon and rinse/replace the foam sponges? What other equipment do you have in your tank? How much live rock and live sand?
Reason I am asking this question is I am thinking about pulling the carbon out and go carbonless.
I have an 80 gallon tank with about 80 lbs of live rock and 4 in dsb. Several powerheads and a prizm skimmer.
Thanks, Marty

 

[chris l]

Marty.....I have pulled everything out of my fluval and use it like a powerhead. I never use carbon and have no problems. My tank is a 44g with 100lbs of lr and around 90 lbs of ls. I also have a refugium below my main tank to help with filtration. 3 powerheads in the main tank along with a prizm skimmer. My clams, LPS and SPS have never looked better.

 

[marty]

Hey Chris. Thanks for the reply.
Now comes the honest truth and worry. I haven't changed the carbon out in months (6+) or so and have only rinsed the foam sponges probably once in the last 3 months. If I pull these out, (which I think I should sloooowly), should I be worried about the tank crashing?
Just don't want to do anything wrong (I guess I have already by leaving the stuff in there too long), but it is working and the old story of "if it aint broke..)
Thanks, Marty

 

[chris l]

Marty.......I took everything out at one time with no ill effects. The reason I took everything out is I had a nitrate problem and wanted to see if that was the problem. Don't know if it was or not but since then, 0 nitrates. But keep in mind, I also started my refugium at the same time. But as far as the carbon, I have never used it.

 

[marty]

Thanks again Chris. I do not have a refugium/sump below my tank, although I would like one. Is your tank have the overflows or are you using the hang-on overflows?
I am curious as I would like to find out how to put one on my tank.
Thanks!

 

[chris l]

Marty.....not a problem. I am using a CPR overflow which hangs on the back. Let me know if you need anything else.

 

[newfishliny]

Originally posted by Marty
Hey Chris. Thanks for the reply.
Now comes the honest truth and worry. I haven't changed the carbon out in months (6+) or so and have only rinsed the foam sponges probably once in the last 3 months. If I pull these out, (which I think I should sloooowly), should I be worried about the tank crashing?
Just don't want to do anything wrong (I guess I have already by leaving the stuff in there too long), but it is working and the old story of "if it aint broke..)
Thanks, Marty
Marty- I replace my sponges atleast once a month and carbon the max once a month. this helps in polishing the water and had no effects on my corals. I also run a aqua c protein skimmer , 2 power heads 802's , and actually have 2 sumps running to a third
one , the total amount of exta water is 44 gals.I have a 90 glass tank with bulk head fittings.
anyway I find no problem with the 404 but change the filters and carbon once a month.
good luck
new fish don