Canister Filter

[Remmy]

Hi all,

So when we set up our tank, our lfs recommended an Aquatop canister filter. Not knowing much better it’s what we went with (I wish we would have just did a sump from the beginning). So the tank was set up the beginning of January. Looked to have cycled in about 3 weeks at which time we added a CUC and added fish a week later. We haven’t had too much trouble with the tank thus far. I went to clean the filter today (I know that’s a long time) only to find when my fiancé in his “helping” set up the tank, didn’t actually take the bio filter stuff out of the bags! He just put the bags of stuff in the filter. I took them out of the bags and put it in how it should be, but is the tank going to cycle again? How did it cycle and sustain fish thus far? I do have some prime, should I add some of that?

Thanks in advance!

 

[RIreefGuy]

=) Can you tell us a little about the setup? Size? Live or dry rock? What was used for sand bed? Etc? I am not too worried but definitely need more info

 

[Remmy]

Sorry!
75 gallon tank
50 lbs of live rock
20 lbs of dry rock
Sand bed is a mix of live white and black sand (idk how “live” it actually was)
4 small fish and a CUC

 

[Dom]

Your live rock and substrate provide a home for nitrifying bacteria, which is what is responsible for breaking down ammonia. When your ammonia goes to zero, it means you have a nitrifying bacteria colony large enough to manage the bio load.

If you are talking about the ceramic pieces that are in nylon bags, thats just another place that nitrifying bacteria can take up residence.

You probably cycled anyway because there was enough housing for your nitrifying bacteria colony in your live rock and sand.

Dom

 

[Remmy]

Thank you! I’ll keep a close eye on levels as well. Maybe this will help with keeping nitrates down. I just couldn’t believe it when I saw everything still in the bags. There was ceramic pieces and black bio balls.

 

[Dom]

Be happy your fiancé' supports you in your love of the hobby.

 

[RIreefGuy]

Be happy your fiancé' supports you in your love of the hobby.

+1 =)

 

[Remmy]

Be happy your fiancé' supports you in your love of the hobby.

I think he wanted the tank more than me

 

[RIreefGuy]

My wife says she is not 100% on board, but I catch her staring all time. I do tell her that everything for the tank costs $10 tho, so I think that helps

 

[Remmy]

My wife says she is not 100% on board, but I catch her staring all time. I do tell her that everything for the tank costs $10 tho, so I think that helps

Lol... we took our wedding fund and spent it on a tank and supplies

 

[RIreefGuy]

That is a marriage that is going to LAST! =) My 3rd saltwater tank was a 75RR with a small sump. Still one of my favorite tanks. I have had from 3.4 - 300 gallon saltwater setups. 75 is a nice size. Any pics?

 

[Remmy]

That is a marriage that is going to LAST! =) My 3rd saltwater tank was a 75RR with a small sump. Still one of my favorite tanks. I have had from 3.4 - 300 gallon saltwater setups. 75 is a nice size. Any pics?

Nothing too special yet

 

[Mical]

We all start somewhere... Take pictures of the progression - you'll be amazed how much it will change.

 

[RIreefGuy]

I like it! Are you planning some coral or will it be fish only? I have always wanted to do a fish only but the coral suck me in so bad.. IMHO and back to the original question: I think you are in really good shape with that live rock. It will have seeded the dry stuff and I doubt that you will have any issues. To be honest I would just use that canister for mechanical (floss) and maybe carbon/gfo (only if needed). I would clean/change floss weekly. (Opinions could vary greatly here lol)I think you have more than enough surface area for bacteria on the rock you have. Where did that live rock come from. It looks really good =)

 

[Remmy]

Thank you! That makes me feel a lot better! It will be fish and coral. We got our first one last week (a torch apparently) just going slow as we have high nitrates (30-40) water changes aren’t helping a whole lot. I have a feeling we will be doing a larger predator tank as well....

 

[RIreefGuy]

Nitrates are not the worst thing in the world. I will wager that if you clean that canister out regularly they will come down. You could also try to put some cheato in the display if you dont mind the look. Macro algae is a way to export nutrients. The algae eats the nitrates (and phosphates) to grow and when it gets too big you throw some away or give it to your R2R friends lol. The eye test IMHO: Tank looks like its doing its thing for its age. Go slow but dont stress out =)

 

[Remmy]

Nitrates are not the worst thing in the world. I will wager that if you clean that canister out regularly they will come down. You could also try to put some cheato in the display if you dont mind the look. Macro algae is a way to export nutrients. The algae eats the nitrates (and phosphates) to grow and when it gets too big you throw some away or give it to your R2R friends lol. The eye test IMHO: Tank looks like its doing its thing for its age. Go slow but dont stress out =)

Thank you! We do plan on adding cheato when we can find some. My only concern for the tank so far is we have not really had diatoms and we do not get algae. We have a fairly large CUC so I am currently putting algae waffers in for them to eat. I thought high nitrates would make algae, but that’s not happening in our tank. The CUC is eating the Coraline algae off the rock we bought

 

[RIreefGuy]

Where are you located?

 

[Remmy]

Where are you located?

Central MN

 

[RIreefGuy]

I would be happy to mail you some, but I would highly recommend trying to find a local reef club. You will meet some nice ppl and a lot of them are literally throwing it away. After a long hiatus from the hobby I started a very small tank. I joined the local club in my area and posted a message saying I wanted to buy some small frags. Got a bunch of replies from members saying they would give me stuff for free. Nothing crazy but perfect for my lil tank. My tank is now overloaded with corals and I need to frag some of it and will pay it forward. Bonus: got to meet some nice ppl. Offer stands tho: if you need some chaeto, I can send a bag full via 2nd day USPS