My external filter

mucky1957 · Jan 12, 2014

hi

I have an internal filter in my rio 240 tank. Removed all the blue filter pads and put rock rubble in the bottom.

I also run a jbl 9000 external and have just cleaned it out. While doing it I discovered the ceramic filter media was covered in brown slime and the bottom of the cannister was even worse...no wonder my nitrates are high..anyway..

I have cleaned and cleaned the media and the cannister and put the media back..BUT..should I remove the media and use lots more rock rubble.

I realise that it needs cleaning far more frequently..and will do so from now on.

thanks.

mike007 · Jan 12, 2014

Is this a reef tank? If it is why are you using a ext. filter on a 240? Are you using a skimmer?

kacrocorals581 · Jan 12, 2014

Yes toss out the ceramics and use live rock rubble instead also if you can upgrade to a sump it makes life easier

Fin · Jan 12, 2014

He is in England. I think the Rio 240 is liters not gallons. About 63 gallons here, I think.

mucky1957 · Jan 12, 2014

hi guys..

sorry..it is a 240 Litre tank..

I have an external filter because it has always been used..it's there..so why not.

yes I am running a skimmer.

cant run a sump or refigium as there is no space.

on my forums here in the UK it seems that 50% say keep the ceramics and 50% say use rock...just wanted to get a different perspective..

mike007 · Jan 12, 2014

If this is a reef tank you do not want to use rocks are ceramics in your hob skimmer. This will cause nutrient buildup which will nitrates. If you want to use it you can run carbon,phosphate media etc. If you use filter media which is okay but needs to be replaced fequently. For a reef you need live rock inside tank,skimmer and good circlation and you should be good.

mucky1957 · Jan 12, 2014

In the tank I have 2 x 1600 lph and 1 x 2700 lph powerhead...a skimmer..and 50 kg of live cured rock.

are you saying that I should NOT use the external at all !!