My LFS just told me not to use a filter. . .

[Anonymous]

And if I did not to use a bio wheel. . . I am scared. . . Is this right?

 

[danmhippo]

Biowheel and other external filter is very efficient at converting protein waste into ammonia, nitrite, and eventually as nitrate as their final product.

Where as with Reef tanks, the LR and DSB serves the same function with added benefit of chances to break down Nitrate further into N2 in the anaerobic zones deep within LR and DSB.

With the use of biowheels, nitrate accumulates very fast in the tank, and you know what effect nitrate has to the uptake of calcium in corals. That's why we usually advise against using external filter and canister filters.

 

[ChrisRD]

If we're talking about a reef tank, IME a good protein skimmer, plenty of circulation and some live rock/live sand is ideal for filtration. You don't really need much else.

 

[Anonymous]

Biowheel and other ammonia->nitrate factory are great for fish only tank where nitrate is less toxic than ammonia. But for reef tank or tank with focus on invertabrates, protein skimmer is the better alternative.

 

[Tackett]

agreed. I have a tidepool biowheel and I jerked the biowheel part out of it in my efforts to combat my algae problem. My algae went away shortly after, but as I was doing a number of other things in conjunction, it is hard to say whether or not this was a contributer, or just coincidence.

 

[Anonymous]

So I should lose the biowheel and just use the carbon?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Some run carbon 24/7, some run it periodically to polish the water and some never use it.

 

[Tackett]

I would run the carbon, never hurts to take nutrients out of the water, the only thing to remeber with it is to change it every couple of weeks. Carbon gets clogged up pretty fast in my experience.

Heres a good thread on carbon

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t ... ght=carbon

 

[HClH2OFish]

Agree about the carbon....I've got an Eclipse hood on my 15gal and I stopped using their stock filters (re:junk) I just use filter sock and add some carbon..replace it every week to week and a half and it really seems to have helped. Tank is much clearer and no pesky algaes (yet..lol)

 

[danmhippo]

Make sure the carbon you are using does not leach phosphate. Test the carbon by put some in a small test tube, water, and shake for a few seconds, let stand, and test with PO4 test kit.