cockle shell filter v protein skimmer

[daztiz]

hi everybody , newbe here , just setting up my first reef tank , i m using cockle shells in my sump as a filter instead of a protein skimmer and sea water off the beach rather than artificial water , will this work and has anyone any experience of this method ?

 

[Ron Reefman]

First let me say WELCOME to Reef2Reef!

Now to your questions. These are good questions and I hope you keep asking them. The people here are friendly and want to see new reefers be successful.

Question: How are cockle shells a filter? How do you understand that they will replace a skimmer? I live by the beach and I've occasionally had a live cockle in my tank, but they typically don't get enough food in an aquarium to survive long term. But what do you think dead cockle shells will do?

As for using natural sea water: That can work and some reefers do it. However I find making water easier than hauling it in from the ocean. But here is the serious concern for you to consider, pollution. Sea water taken just off the beach is often (not always, but often) polluted with waste, fertilizer, freshwater runoff and more. Here is SW Florida we sometimes have to warn people not to go in the water the pollution is so bad. You wouldn't want that in your tank.

A few people use a boat to get out away from shore 5 or 10 miles and collect their seawater there. That is probably a much safer water to use. But if you have a tank full of expensive corals, fish and other creatures, is risking them worth the cost of making your own water? Many reefers make their own water and worry when the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level in the fresh water they start with is even 1ppm. When I stated in the hobby I bought distilled water (0ppm) at the grocery store and then made saltwater at home. I did that for several months before I got an RO/DI system to make my own clean freshwater to start with. BTW, I think anything under 10PPM in my RO/DI water is OK.

I hope this helps? I look forward to seeing your reply to the cockle shell question.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction... I mean hobby! ;Hilarious

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome to R2R! Lots of people use sea water but typically collect it off shore to get cleaner water.. cockle shells may work as a bio filter if you have a enough of them but there are far better choices. A protein skimmer is more of a mechanical filter and actually removes waist from water.

 

[motortrendz]

Welcome. Where are you from? Hows the ocean water where you are located.
My biggest worry would be waste runoff and then having it concentrate in the tank over time causing unknown problems.
Ive never heard of the use of cockle shells as a filter medium. I would be worried that they would fill with detritus and cause a huge nitrate spike in your system. Theres plenty of skimmer less systems out there so if done right I dont think it would be a problem.

 

[daztiz]

First let me say WELCOME to Reef2Reef!

Now to your questions. These are good questions and I hope you keep asking them. The people here are friendly and want to see new reefers be successful.

Question: How are cockle shells a filter? How do you understand that they will replace a skimmer? I live by the beach and I've occasionally had a live cockle in my tank, but they typically don't get enough food in an aquarium to survive long term. But what do you think dead cockle shells will do?

As for using natural sea water: That can work and some reefers do it. However I find making water easier than hauling it in from the ocean. But here is the serious concern for you to consider, pollution. Sea water taken just off the beach is often (not always, but often) polluted with waste, fertilizer, freshwater runoff and more. Here is SW Florida we sometimes have to warn people not to go in the water the pollution is so bad. You wouldn't want that in your tank.

A few people use a boat to get out away from shore 5 or 10 miles and collect their seawater there. That is probably a much safer water to use. But if you have a tank full of expensive corals, fish and other creatures, is risking them worth the cost of making your own water? Many reefers make their own water and worry when the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level in the fresh water they start with is even 1ppm. When I stated in the hobby I bought distilled water (0ppm) at the grocery store and then made saltwater at home. I did that for several months before I got an RO/DI system to make my own clean freshwater to start with. BTW, I think anything under 10PPM in my RO/DI water is OK.

I hope this helps? I look forward to seeing your reply to the cockle shell question.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction... I mean hobby! ;Hilarious

hi ron, thank you for your reply , i am trying to go as natural as possible , i realise i will have to water change more regularly , i have two close suppliers of natural sea water or can collect myself, i havent done a test on the sea yet but we have plenty of life in it , but will shortly while my tank is cycling, the cockle shells seem to be a good filter medium , and do not rip out the good bacteria skimmers do , this is a bit of trial and error and trying not to use any chemicals .