The Puffer Forum

I use ACs as mech filtration on all my tanks ecxept the reef. I have for over 20 years.

What do you use for mech on the reef? Sorry if you've posted this elsewhere.

I use a HOT Magnum for quick water scrubs when required, never more than about 12 hours though. For deep cleaning and polishing, I use a diatom filter with carbon powder.

Yeah I gerally use my Mag 350 for about the same amount of time.

Just to let you know, I planned to have live rock and possibly live sand. Can I use the filter in the meantime with my F8 tank?

Absolutely! My comments were directed more toward when you have the live rock and skimmer. That is when I would recommend removing the canister filter from the tank.

Raphael, I think that was already answered here:

ybenormal wrote:I don't have any experience w/ the rena filstar xp2 but I see that it is rated for 300g/hr and up to 72 gallon tanks. Pumps and filters are usually overrated to begin with and you can expect some reduction due to head loss, especially if you use a spray bar. As long as you are not planning on using the filter on a tank with live plants or with fish that prefer calmer water (e.g. FW angelfish), I think it will be OK.

lol sorry Ybe. Posting at the same time.

ybenormal wrote:Absolutely! My comments were directed more toward when you have the live rock and skimmer. That is when I would recommend removing the canister filter from the tank.

Wouldn't that be underfilteration to only have skimmer and LR?

lisalisa wrote:Raphael, I think that was already answered here:

I have about 4 or 5 java fern plants so i'm not 100% sure.

no, depends on the size of skimmer and the amount of LR.

you can actually uverfilter and overskim SW using the top of the linw skimmers, they can actually pull out good nutients and minerals like calcium etc. so a good skimmer and LR is fine.

On reef central they didn't seem to have anything against me doing what I said I will do. Now I am confused.

Actually, I read your thread at RC and noted that there were many different questions asked and responded to in the same thread. This makes it very difficult for folks to provide an in-depth response or to provide pros and cons of different options. I also noted that several of the folks responding were trying to give you the absolute cheapest options for setting up a SW tank, not necessarily the ideal setup. Ask specifically for recommendations regarding an ideal reef setup and I doubt that anyone will suggest use of a canister filter. You might not be able to afford what they do recommend though!

It used to be very common for SW tanks to have under-gravel filters. The UG filters eventually yielded to HOB and canister filters and many people still use them today. There is nothing wrong with doing so, you just have to be aware that they must be carefully maintained or they will become "nitrate factories".

Use of skimmers and LR in marine/reef tanks became popular in recent years and has all but eliminated the need for HOB and canister filters, also greatly reducing (some would say eliminating) the need for water changes. Use enough LR, a good skimmer and good turnover of water in the tank (no dead spots) and you will not need the canister filter for normal operation. If you use less LR, have low turnover/dead spots, buy a cheap skimmer (etc.), use of an an external or HOB filter would be a good idea.

Here is an good article on WWM that explains marine filtration much better than in my previous post. Hopefully this will help you develop a good understanding of your options. It might even save you some money and headaches in the long run. Happy reading!

Are you going to keep your F8s in a reef tank (SG ~1.026)? They prefer & live longest in low-end BW 1.005.

Pufferpunk wrote:Are you going to keep your F8s in a reef tank (SG ~1.026)? They prefer & live longest in low-end BW 1.005.

I stated before in this thread that they are not moving to the reef tank. Ybenormal, are you saying that I should just have skimmer and LR then?