fluval Chi to 10 gal upgrade

[Joeeamer]

Hello

My first SW tank was a Fluval Chi conversion. I removed the filter/light thing and got new ones and used egg crate as the lid as to get plastic cut around lights ect was a nightmare!

One thing I would recommend is make sure you have a good power head as the surface area that touches air is small and does affect gas exchange.

The problem with marine fish keeping is that you can't stop! I filled my chi to bursting with coral and couldn't help move to a bigger one!

My chi is awaiting a new project! I was fond of the tank!

Sounds like you have a great nano reef coming your way, keep us up to date!

[Bearchumjs]

Originally Posted by Joeeamer

Hello

My first SW tank was a Fluval Chi conversion. I removed the filter/light thing and got new ones and used egg crate as the lid as to get plastic cut around lights ect was a nightmare!

One thing I would recommend is make sure you have a good power head as the surface area that touches air is small and does affect gas exchange.

The problem with marine fish keeping is that you can't stop! I filled my chi to bursting with coral and couldn't help move to a bigger one!

My chi is awaiting a new project! I was fond of the tank!

Sounds like you have a great nano reef coming your way, keep us up to date!

I was thinking I might need a small Power head because the way the filter is sitting I'd need to elevate it about 4 inches to get a decent gas exchange.

[Joeeamer]

I'm sorry if youre repeating yourself but have you left the filter on?

I removed mine. I added a small internal filter but the LR and sand was a good filter. I had about 4.5 kg of LR in my chi.

For the power head I have a Hydor circulation and wave pump. It seemed to do the trick! It was a bit overkill for the chi However fish were happy and enjoyed swimming into the current.

[Bearchumjs]

Originally Posted by Joeeamer

I'm sorry if youre repeating yourself but have you left the filter on?

I removed mine. I added a small internal filter but the LR and sand was a good filter. I had about 4.5 kg of LR in my chi.

For the power head I have a Hydor circulation and wave pump. It seemed to do the trick! It was a bit overkill for the chi However fish were happy and enjoyed swimming into the current.

I have a HOB filter and I'm working on getting live rock. I will probably need a mini power head. I'm not sure.

[Bearchumjs]

Originally Posted by Joeeamer

I'm sorry if youre repeating yourself but have you left the filter on?

I removed mine. I added a small internal filter but the LR and sand was a good filter. I had about 4.5 kg of LR in my chi.

For the power head I have a Hydor circulation and wave pump. It seemed to do the trick! It was a bit overkill for the chi However fish were happy and enjoyed swimming into the current.

What fish did you have in your chi?

[Huffers]

How much water surface movement do you get with the filter you have now? The more water surface movement the better as this is where the main gas exchange takes place. A small power head might not be a bad idea however be careful not to move the water around too much especially if your going to be adding corals that may be sensitive to a lot of water movement.

[Bearchumjs]

Originally Posted by Huffers

How much water surface movement do you get with the filter you have now? The more water surface movement the better as this is where the main gas exchange takes place. A small power head might not be a bad idea however be careful not to move the water around too much especially if your going to be adding corals that may be sensitive to a lot of water movement.

Here is a picture of the surface. There is very little movement...

I can turn the filter on a lower setting so that if I added a hydor koralia nano pump do you think there would be too much flow?

[Bearchumjs]

Is my water supposed to be slightly cloudy or should it be crystal clear? Should I even worry about it?

I took the raw shrimp out yesterday. I figure I will just wait until I get live rock to cycle it.

[needmorecowbell]

There could still be some sand mixed in the water. It doesn't really matter, after you go through the whole cycle, you do a water change.

[Joeeamer]

Hello

I set my Chi up as a coral only. I had mushrooms, a hammer head, brain coral, cornet coral and a few others.

Clean up crew included 6 hermets 4 turbo snails and a sand sifting conch.

I started it as coral only but couldn't help get two black clowns. They were very happy in this tank but I felt it was too small and was the tipping point for upgrading to s bigger tank!

All livestock and coral has now been moved and are happy.

[Huffers]

Ok might be best to go with a small power head then. If it does create too much flow you could always take off the filter. I know it's a strange concept but with saltwater tanks you honestly don't even need a hang on the back filter. If you have a power head to create water flow and plenty of live rock then you'll have a great system.

[Joeeamer]

Originally Posted by Huffers

Ok might be best to go with a small power head then. If it does create too much flow you could always take off the filter. I know it's a strange concept but with saltwater tanks you honestly don't even need a hang on the back filter. If you have a power head to create water flow and plenty of live rock then you'll have a great system.

I agree! The rock and sand is the most important filter and you should get the circulation sorted with a power head.

[Bearchumjs]

Originally Posted by Huffers

Ok might be best to go with a small power head then. If it does create too much flow you could always take off the filter. I know it's a strange concept but with saltwater tanks you honestly don't even need a hang on the back filter. If you have a power head to create water flow and plenty of live rock then you'll have a great system.

It's definitely a weird concept. I will get the power head and see how that works with the filter turned on lower. If its to much flow I will take the filter off.

So now I need live rock, a power head and some lights.

[Joeeamer]

Yup!

It seems strange not to have any mechanical filtration but honestly in that tank it is not required. If you have a good amount of live rock the bugs and beasties in the rock will filter out rubbish!

You need to make sure you don't over feed and that you have a good clean up crew but that should be more than sufficient.

[Huffers]

Yea it took me awhile to really understand why this works the way it does. A more thorough study of the properties of live rock enlightens you as to why it is really a high efficient marine filter.

Keep me posted as to what power head you decide to go with. I haven't ever purchased a pico power head before and will be interested to hear how well they perform.

[Bearchumjs]

Originally Posted by Huffers

Yea it took me awhile to really understand why this works the way it does. A more thorough study of the properties of live rock enlightens you as to why it is really a high efficient marine filter.

Keep me posted as to what power head you decide to go with. I haven't ever purchased a pico power head before and will be interested to hear how well they perform.

I'm looking at these.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=21414

I don't know if I should get the 200 @70gph or the 400 @ 100 gph. Also- in the description chart there is a column that says " max head ". What does that mean?

I think I'll be taking off my filter when i get the powerhead. The tank will look better with it off anyway.

[Huffers]

I would go with the 200 model. Normally you'll want something that will cycle your entire tank at least 10 times in an hour. You'll be a little bit over that amount with the 200 model (70 gph) but that won't be a problem in a reef tank. Actually it will be a good thing.

[Bearchumjs]

Originally Posted by Huffers

I would go with the 200 model. Normally you'll want something that will cycle your entire tank at least 10 times in an hour. You'll be a little bit over that amount with the 200 model (70 gph) but that won't be a problem in a reef tank. Actually it will be a good thing.

Awesome! I'm adding it to the list of things to buy. I'm pleased that it is less than $20.

[scottayy]

The smaller the cheaper! But it still adds up. Personally I would keep the HOB filter for mechanical filtration but I have seen it done both ways many times. To me, it would equate to a filter sock on a larger setup. And you can find powerheads that are adjustable.

I'm wondering if a koralia 240 would be overkill lol. You'll definitely want a lot of flow. I think more than 70gph.

I had two 240gph circulation pumps in a 10 gallon + a 100gph return line (yes i put a sump on a 10 gallon, lol).

[Bearchumjs]

Originally Posted by scottayy

The smaller the cheaper! But it still adds up. Personally I would keep the HOB filter for mechanical filtration but I have seen it done both ways many times. To me, it would equate to a filter sock on a larger setup. And you can find powerheads that are adjustable.

I'm wondering if a koralia 240 would be overkill lol. You'll definitely want a lot of flow. I think more than 70gph.

I had two 240gph circulation pumps in a 10 gallon + a 100gph return line (yes i put a sump on a 10 gallon, lol).

Would this be better then? It has an adjustable flow rate up to 200gph.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003C5...5067076&sr=8-7