Mechanical filter yay or nay?

[jodah175]

So I've been running my 36g bowfront with the aeroforce 2 skimmer and emperor/bio wheel 200(?) filter that came with it since buying the tank in early September. Since then I've replaced the one 800gph no name powerhead of crap with two Koralia 750's. I've basically kept it running since the tank is doing relatively ok (still fighting with highish nitrates of around 40-60ppm) I've mainly kept the emperor filter on there for the flow it provided. But, it's loud, drives the gf crazy ( :mad2: ), and I feel like it's just another piece of equipment running for no reason since adding the 2nd Koralia. It has filter pads in it that I've changed once since.

So, after I clean the skimmer today, I'm wondering if I should just take the emperor filter off and run with just a skimmer. What are some problems I could encounter in doing so? Should I leave it on there or possibly think about replacing it with something newer/better?Thanks in advance!

 

[Squishie89]

You could experience a mini or full cycle due to the loss of biological media.

 

[jodah175]

Are we talking "omg I just killed off my tank" or "hmm, that snail seems ****** off" ?

 

[mike007]

If you have enough live rock and skimmer you do not need the other filter. Filter pads will cause nitrate problems if not changed frequently. I use a power filter myself but i only put carbon in it no pads. Good skimming ,live rock ,good circulation and don't overfeed.

 

[bigcapct]

If you have enough live rock and skimmer you do not need the other filter. Filter pads will cause nitrate problems if not changed frequently. I use a power filter myself but i only put carbon in it no pads. Good skimming ,live rock ,good circulation and don't overfeed.

+1!

 

[jodah175]

Sounds good. I just now have to wait until my skimmer is good to go back on. Painted the front of it tonight black to cut down on algae growth.

 

[mike007]

What do you mean by painted the front? That will not help anything. If you have algae problems read some of these posts on this site. You have other issues my friend and we can help.

 

[jodah175]

No no, lolz. I have algae issues in the skimemr beacuse it's a hob and basically right under the lights. I do have a highish (40-60ppm) nitrate issue I'm also contending with. I believe it is a combo of strong light for 8hrs a day, plus my high nitrates that are causing the algae to grow there. Course, the waterfall return from the skimmer turned into a lovely algae scrubber of sorts.

I'm sure the 2years of being run on tap water prior to me buying this setup has something to do with it.

 

[mike007]

Tap water oh no. I did that once and ended up pulling rock out of tank and scrubbing algae off. Once i started back with ro water everything was okay. 8 hours of light is okay your nitrate issue is caused by other problems. I find most problems arise from underskimming and overfeeding.

 

[jodah175]

I'm probably guilty of overfeeding. I usually try to do small feedings, but even with teh smallest feedings, there is still a small amount left over. But things are not nearly as bad as when I first got the tank. Nitrates were off the chart. Surprisingly enough though my cuc didn't get wiped out. Which reminds me, I should probably restock with the proper cuc. When i got the tank, there were only 4 snails in total. >_< I added some nassarius a month after moving it to my apt, 2 of which got eaten by a brittle star before I pulled it out. Yeah, I really do need to get on a new cuc for this thing.

 

[ACEofNONE]

@ mike007. Is it ok to use just ro water and not ro/di?


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[jodah175]

I won't use anything less than rodi water. No reason not to especially with how good an investment a good rodi un it is. Not gonna lie, I started with a cheapy. But it's getting replaced by a proper unit in the near future.

 

[Zack]

The hang.on filter you have could be causing your nitrate problems, considering you have only changed it once, it is very likely. They are known for being nitrate factories. Saltwater tanks don't need em, plenty of live rock and a good skimmer are what you need.

 

[jodah175]

Once I had gotten the tank home I had changed the filter pads, and once dec. They're actually due to be changed again. I rinse them in the old water during each water change. But, the mechanical filter is coming off soon as my skimmer slimes up a bit and starts producing some good foam. So probably a couple mroe days of me tinkering with it.