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Do I need a filter?
- Thread starter ReefRian
- Start date
It's the live rock that means you don't require any furhter bio-filtration.
The live rock is like a huge volume of bio-material in an external filter. So long as you have an adequate flow in the tank then your tank itself is very much like an external bio-filter.
This is true whether you have a DSB or not. It is optimal to have both - but you don't need both to be able to not have external bio-filtration.
The DSB is a nitrate reduction filter - this saves you needing copious water changes or clincial like conditions in your tank. Detrius does not need to be removed if you have a DSB - the DSB will ensure that there is no nitrate build-up.
Like any filtration medium the live rock needs time to adjust to changes in bio-load. So, if you're removing external filtration then you have to do this slowly to give the live rock time to adjust its populations of bacteria.
You also need to have enough live rock. If you persistently have ammonia in the tank then there's not enough rock. In any decent reef this is never the case - there's far more rock than is needed for entirely adequate bio-filtration.
The live rock is like a huge volume of bio-material in an external filter. So long as you have an adequate flow in the tank then your tank itself is very much like an external bio-filter.
This is true whether you have a DSB or not. It is optimal to have both - but you don't need both to be able to not have external bio-filtration.
The DSB is a nitrate reduction filter - this saves you needing copious water changes or clincial like conditions in your tank. Detrius does not need to be removed if you have a DSB - the DSB will ensure that there is no nitrate build-up.
Like any filtration medium the live rock needs time to adjust to changes in bio-load. So, if you're removing external filtration then you have to do this slowly to give the live rock time to adjust its populations of bacteria.
You also need to have enough live rock. If you persistently have ammonia in the tank then there's not enough rock. In any decent reef this is never the case - there's far more rock than is needed for entirely adequate bio-filtration.
Thanks everybody. I haven't started up my tank and am in the process of purchasing what I need. Just wanted to make sure I didn't buy anything I don't need.
As for the amount of LR I need, what do you think the min sould be for my tank (65gal) I'll probably (over time) have about 5 or 6 fish.
As for the amount of LR I need, what do you think the min sould be for my tank (65gal) I'll probably (over time) have about 5 or 6 fish.
ReefRian,
Good advice thus far, although I will say the surface area of the DSB far exceeds the surface area of your LR, and thus is able to handle tremendous amounts of nutrients, etc. No matter, though. Both LR,DSB and good skimmer are the balance you need.
As to how much LR, the rule of thumb is 1# per gallon of capacity. That's a rough figure, however, as some rock is more porous than others and thus provides more bio-filtration than the more dense/solid rock [Fiji v. Gulf, for example - both good rock, but Fiji is less dense]. Many of us go beyond that - closer to 1.5# or more. You can also put some into a sump area if you want more than is good for circulation or aesthetics in your main tank, but want the added filtration.
regards,
rw
Good advice thus far, although I will say the surface area of the DSB far exceeds the surface area of your LR, and thus is able to handle tremendous amounts of nutrients, etc. No matter, though. Both LR,DSB and good skimmer are the balance you need.
As to how much LR, the rule of thumb is 1# per gallon of capacity. That's a rough figure, however, as some rock is more porous than others and thus provides more bio-filtration than the more dense/solid rock [Fiji v. Gulf, for example - both good rock, but Fiji is less dense]. Many of us go beyond that - closer to 1.5# or more. You can also put some into a sump area if you want more than is good for circulation or aesthetics in your main tank, but want the added filtration.
regards,
rw
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