mech filtering

[noodus]

hey peoples i have a 72 gal tank with a 18 gal refuge... i used to have the filter foam the sponge like thing to cathc all of the un wanted stuff floating around. i took it out to lower my nitrates.... but i think i need some mech filtering i mean some form of it.. i was looking into a canister filter a eheim model 2026. would this be over kill?

please help that is my first tank, things are going great. i'd like to keep it that way... thanks

[schoeplein]

Mechanical filtrations is not necessary if you have a significant enough amount of liverock and a decent cleanup crew. The only mechanical filtration I have on my tank is a cheesy sponge to keep large organic matter from junking up my fuge pump. Well, I do have a skimmer -- get a skimmer, not a canister.

[LittlePuff]

The media won't cause nitrates if you thouroughly cleaned it at least once a week.


Kim

[noodus]

thanks for the repies guys....

i have a skimmer already. i've tried the sponge thing, everytime i take the sponge out to clean the whole tank gets cloudy...

i guess i'm looking for a way that requires less maintinence.

[jackdp]

If you want to filter large debris the canister would work, like mentioned clean the filter pads weekly or more. Otherwise the crap trapped in the pads/floss can release nitrates/phosphates back into the tank. They're also nice to add some more flow and provide a place for specialized filter media when needed.

[schoeplein]

If you're wanting your water to appear clearer, try some activated carbon. Place a bag of it in a high flow area in your fuge. Otherwise a skimmer and rock should be all you need for a 72g with fuge. Does your fuge utilize bioballs or another media type?

[noodus]

my fuge doesn't carry bio balls or any other media type. which is why i'm a touch concerned. what about an internal filter think that would help?

[schoeplein]

Drop a buncha liverock rubble into your fuge, that should help some. Purpose of a fuge is for biological filtration, with nothing in it its just a storage place for extra water = sump. Is your sump split up into chambers? Is there anywhere water is spilling over into the next chamber? That would be a good place to put a bag of carbon.

[noodus]

i have rock and marco algae in the fuge. i'll try the bag of carbon, thanks