Taking filter pads out of Emperror 280

[jw1977]

I've been battling a hair algae problem in my 46 gallon tank I've heard suggestions that I should consider taking out my filter pads and just start using media bags filled with phosguard and one with carbon. What do people think about this?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jw1977 http:///forum/thread/379849/taking-filter-pads-out-of-emperror-280#post_3303130
I've been battling a hair algae problem in my 46 gallon tank I've heard suggestions that I should consider taking out my filter pads and just start using media bags filled with phosguard and one with carbon. What do people think about this?

 
Don't remove all the pads at once, they have good bacteria on them and you will upset the balance and land up with an ammonia spike. You can get rid of them if you like, but slowly. They are not the cause of your Hair algae, bad water or bad bulbs are..overfeeding too.
 

 

[meowzer]

Can't hurt, as long as you find the real cause.....change one filter at a time...add phosguard in one, and try chemi pure in the other

 

[nycbob]

have u tested ur phosphate level? r u using ro water? try running rowaphos inside a media bag in ur emperor filter over a 2-3 month period, and u should see less algae. also, get a good clean up crew, like hermits and mexican turbo snails.

 

[spanko]

Are you on a good cleaning schedule for what you have in there now? IMO you need to do regular maintenance on these pads to keep detritus from accumulating. If you are not doing this your nitrate levels will rise fueling the growth of the algae in your tank.
 

 

[jw1977]

I have been using RO water. I change the pad once a month. The 280 only has 1 pad so I would have to do it all at once.

 

[meowzer]

I'm sorry I misread your filter......I was thinking it had 2 sections....ONE issue IMO is your filter is not big enough
 
I run the double size on my 29G...the 280 is rated up to 50G's....in SW you need to go bigger
 
I'd look into getting the 400 at least