need or no need powerfilter

[ironsnipes]

i currently have a aquaclear110 previously the aquaclear500 w/ a cpr bakpac2(protien skimmer), a friend told me to ditch the aquaclear110, keep the protien skimmer and just run a couple powerheads, said my l.r and l.s are taking care of my biological needs. what are your thoughts?

 

[gnorman]

A power head in the tank can only do you good. get the water moving as much as possible

 

[ironsnipes]

what about the power filter? should i move it out and go with more power heads? i am currently turning over about 12x my water, if i move the powerfilter out with i have enough biological media?

 

[ironsnipes]

any1 help please

 

[rbaldino]

Powerfilters are good for increasing flow and giving you a place to run various filter media when needed. It certainly won't do any harm if properly maintained.

 

[sepulatian]

The filter has pads in it to remove larger debris. How deep is your sand bed? Do you have a refuge? What sort of cleanup crew do you have? Your friend is correct that you can create a system that does not need filters on it. That takes several years, a deep sand bed that is loaded with detrivores, and a refuge.

 

[ironsnipes]

well i went ahead and took out the aquaclear110, and put in 2 more maxijet900's and a lifetech1500 powerheads checked hydro.024, nitrite0,nitrates0,ammonia0,ph8.3/alk2.2, and calcium825. all test are perfect,except calcium. use RO for water changes, added purple up about a week ago to get coraline going faster. since adding purple up calcium has stayed high! did 2 5gal water changes on 55gal in1 week calcium levels are off the chart still? anyone know if this is good or bad, or how to bring it down a little?

 

[ironsnipes]

anyone know whats up w/ calcium?