I was wondering what media, if any, I really need (or should not have at all) in my cannister filter for my 45 gallon reef system. First, the hardware:
Fluval 305 filter
BakPak Protein Skimmer (no bio-bale)
AquaClear powerhead (for waterflow only)
Then naturally, I have the LR and LS. Also of note, I do not have a sump or a refuge.
Currently in the cannister filter, I have:
2 foam blocks
1 chamber with Pre-Filter media (the hexagon blocks with holes in the middle)
1 chamber with 2 bags of Chemi-Pure (carbon)
1 chamber with 1 bag of Phos-Zorb
I clean the filter and rinse the foam blocks once a month, and replace the filter media about every 2 months (but never all at once).
I have been running this system for about a year now and {knock on wood} have never had any problems, but was wondering if some of the media was necessary or potentially harmful such as as the foam for potential nitrate(?) housing, though my water tests have always yeilded good results.
Fluval 305 filter
BakPak Protein Skimmer (no bio-bale)
AquaClear powerhead (for waterflow only)
Then naturally, I have the LR and LS. Also of note, I do not have a sump or a refuge.
Currently in the cannister filter, I have:
2 foam blocks
1 chamber with Pre-Filter media (the hexagon blocks with holes in the middle)
1 chamber with 2 bags of Chemi-Pure (carbon)
1 chamber with 1 bag of Phos-Zorb
I clean the filter and rinse the foam blocks once a month, and replace the filter media about every 2 months (but never all at once).
I have been running this system for about a year now and {knock on wood} have never had any problems, but was wondering if some of the media was necessary or potentially harmful such as as the foam for potential nitrate(?) housing, though my water tests have always yeilded good results.