The Trickle Filter Can of Worms

[SigPiPup]

To trickle or not to trickle. That is the question.

Much like UV Sterilization, this seems to be a controversial topic. When I first started my tank ten years ago, it was the standard. So I bought one and ran it in my system successfully for 2 years (also had crushed coral as a substrate, but i won't get into that fire pit).

Now, several years later, I am considering starting that tank back up. Instead of crushed coral, I will be using dry aragonite seeded with live sand. Also, I will be seeding 'dead' rock with some live rock. Obviously both will take time.

Is there a serious problem with running with the trickle filter as well as with Live Sand and Live Rock?

[Catpicklesdog]

I'm on my second Trickle filter set up and it's all I've known since starting this hobby. (that is about to change). I've had problems with nitrAte on and off over the years but a nitrate reductor soon put end to that. The only reason I'm changing from Trickle is because of an offer too good to refuse!

[Reefscape]

as so many area's of this hobby..trickle filtration is yet again another subject that gets debated so many times..one of the main points that seems to get concentrated on is what the water trickles on to....do you use live rock rubble? ceramic rings? Bioballs?...so many options and debating points...

But, one thing that near enough always gets said..."Personal Preference"...If you like that way, then do it...the only thing not to do, is to shut your ( not you personally, general terms ) mind off to other peoples opinions and suggestions, even if you are dead set on one way of filtration. One of things that does happen at times is people go narrow minded and shut out other methods...As always, there is no golden rules in marine keeping..

Good luck in setting up the tank again....What ever you decide to do, keep us all posted..

Niko

[Catpicklesdog]

Elegantly put Niko!!:dance2: :dance2:

and to top it all - I use ceramic rings!!!

[SigPiPup]

Thanks for the reassurance. :)

Do you think that running the trickle filter while attempting to turn 'dead' rock into Live rock will, to some extent, extend the conversion time? Or will the trickle filter and LR "mature" concurrently?

[Reefscape]

Personally, having a trickle filter on there will not make any difference to the maturation process....

Niko

[Germanman]

i have seen them work beautifully under the right care...but if just a slight bit neglected they become a huge problem...just keep it running right and i dont see how u could get any problems what so ever:)

[SigPiPup]

To avoid neglecting my trickle filter, how would one neglect it, for example?

[Germanman]

well the bio balls or media need to be cleaner regularly, the bottom siphoned of muck at least once a month. pump cleaning, and so on...not to bad...most people just leave it be though and thats the problem usually. if u replace the bi media with live rock then u have no problems at all really.

[SigPiPup]

Hmm....interesting. Thanks for the response. I do vaguely remember vacuuming out the bottom, but I don't ever recall rinsing off the bio-balls.

Won't that decrease the efficiency of my biological filtration if I do that? Or will the fact that I will have Live Rock and Live Sand in the tank (FOWLR) make up for the difference?

[Germanman]

Hmm....interesting. Thanks for the response. I do vaguely remember vacuuming out the bottom, but I don't ever recall rinsing off the bio-balls.

Won't that decrease the efficiency of my biological filtration if I do that? Or will the fact that I will have Live Rock and Live Sand in the tank (FOWLR) make up for the difference?
in marine bio balls carry to many nitrates and when not cleaner become nitrate "factories" so u must rinse them with tank water(like while ur doing a water change) to dislodge muck. or use live rock that doesnt need to be pulled out and cleaned.