Question

[Silinxia]

i have a 130 litre tank and I've noticed the water keeps going yellow. I'm assuming its because my internal filter isnt sufficient. I've just bought an external filter to run alongside the internal filter.
My question is, can I just start running the external filter without putting any colonized sponges in it, just run it as if I've bought a new tank?

is there such thing as too much filtration?

 

[Anonymous]

Filters of this type, with sponges and bio media, can definitely be overdone. The biomedia can crank out too much nitrate and the sponges can foul the water if they aren't cleaned or replaced often. Many reefs have no filtration at all, outside of live rock and/or sand and good water circulation.

Running some carbon for a while should take care of the yellows, just make sure it is reef-friendly carbon.

 

[Silinxia]

how can u not have any filters?

 

[Tackett]

The Kent reef carbon works well IME.

 

[Anonymous]

I feel the yellowish/brown water is a sign of phosphate buildup. And more effecient filtering will help remove it.

but basically you have a build up that are not being consumed by your system. If you are feeding twice per day for instance, simply switching to once per day may be all that is needed for the water to become clear in a week or so. Basically a better balance between nutrient production and consumption.

Adding or increasing plant life and insuring that plant life is thriving will prevent the yellow water both short term and long term. The idea is to get it thriving and expanding enough that whatever excess nutrients are in the system are being consumed. Most use refugiums to protect that plant life.

 

[Tackett]

how can u not have any filters?

The live rock will "filter" the water. I put filter in quotations because it is a word used in such a context that people think is understandable, but usually are very misconstrued.

When you think of "filter" what do you think of? Generally, when the word "filtering" water is used, what it really means is an attempt to remove organic substances before they break down into harmful toxins...a process usually referred to as "exporting." There are many variations to methodology of exportation, but it is all a means to the same end. You will find that what most people sell as a "filter" or what youve come to think of as a "filter" will soon change as you delve deeper and deeper into reefkeeping. Read about some of the members setups and do some more research (as you are doing now.) and keep an open mind to all that you read. You will find yourself changing your mind about many things that you once considered a "fact" or just took at face value.

 

[danmhippo]

Adding or increasing plant life and insuring that plant life is thriving will prevent the yellow water both short term and long term.

Bob, not intentionally picking on you, but I couldn't help to point out the mistakes between lines.

Macro algae will tint the water yellow, they do not "prevent the yellow water". Not even a super duper protein skimmer will effectively picks up these substances, The best way is to perform water changes.

Now we are off topic. Please carry on........

 

[Anonymous]

If you are having yellow water, run carbon or do a large water change. I have this problem myself from time to time because I have a very large refugium with lots of caulerpa, which can tend to add a yellow tint to the water every once in a while. I use black diamond, do some research as some carbons ar not very high quality. If you put the carbon in your external filter for a few days in a way that water is flowing fast over it (then remove and toss) it should clear the water up very fast.

Regarding filters, aside from live rock the only thing on my tanks that could be called a filter are my protien skimmers. Reef tanks really do not need mechanical filters, the only time I ever use something like that is as a convenient way to run carbon, but I only use it for a few days at a time. But, to answer your question, yes you should be able to just fire up your new external filter on your tank.