HELP!!

[bigsimmer44]

I was just finishing up my water change for the week and cleaning out the media in my filter (Cascade 700 canister) and the top to screw on for the intake hose snapped. It is a used filter that I got from the owner of a LFS that had taken down his tank. How long will my tank be able to last without the filter?? I don't how long it is going to take??? I'm going to probably just go buy a new filter.

[DarthFred6996]

I am not sure of your question. Can it be fixed with super glue gel? If not then buy another filter.

[Reefscape]

How much live rock is in there and how many gal tank is it?

[bigsimmer44]

My question is how long can the life in my tank survive without my filter running?

I have a 36 gallon tank, with around 30 lbs of live rock, 30, lbs of live sand and 2 shrimp, snails, crabs, and a sea urchcin. I am just currently running a powerhead.

I think I am just going to head out and buy a new filter... are there any suggestions on a good cannister filter that isn't too expensive. Money is a little short right now, I wasn't exactly planning on my filter breaking.

Unless there is the possibility that a store might just sell me the hose and cap that broke, but I doubt I could find one willing to do that.

Thanks.

[Reefscape]

personally, i would just buy 6 lbs of cured live rock and do away with the filter all together....But, that is just my opinion..

Niko

[bigsimmer44]

Being new to this, I'm not really sure how that would work out for me lol. It would worry me that I just have live rock in my tank and nothing filtering it. I am alwasy nervous doing thing to my tank because I'm not sure if it is OK or not.

-OR-

If I did end up getting rid of the filter, would buying a protein skimmer be a must? I do not have one of those either...

[Reefscape]

The live rock in your tank will provide all the mechanical filtration that the filter normally provides....that basically, is one of its main purposes....

Then, just buy a small powerhead to raise the flow in the tank....the little extra rock and powerhead will work out cheaper than buying a good filter aswell.....

[jojo22]

Yep, powerhead and a couple pouns of rock will do ya fine!

[bigsimmer44]

Does just the live rock and powerhead keep the water close to crystal clear though like the filter did?

[Reefscape]

mine does yes, i use just live rock and good circulation and i have never had anything BUT crystal clear water...

Niko

[bigsimmer44]

OK thanks for the help! I'll see how it goes, if you guys have any more information for a newbie I'd love it!!!

[Reefscape]

Bigskimmer...Any infomation you want to know, any little questions what so ever, all you need to do is ask..There are some very experienced reefers here on AC and we do our best to help out in any way we all can...

Keep us informed how you move forward with the system..

Niko

[Gildurath]

Atnixon, are you telling me I can do away with my Fluvial 404, and my internal filter, and just use them to increase flow, and let mey 70lbs in a 55g tank do all my filtering? But keep my protein skimmer? I have no refugium or sump or anything. Cause the media for those things is super expensive.

[jojo22]

sumps and refuges only need LR no "media". and yes you can just use your filters for flow.

[bigsimmer44]

I ended up talking my way into letting this guy sell me only the part that I needed for the filter. The only place that I could find that sold the Cascade Filters though was PETCO, kind strange. But thanks for the help everyone! Who knows, maybe one day I will just eventually add more live rock and do away with my filter. But should I buy a protein skimmer for my tank now? Or is that just something else that isn't really necessary?

[Subliminal]

You might try reading some of the new user guides over at www.nano-reefs.com (http://www.nano-reefs.com)

:)

[Gildurath]

Yeah thanks Jojo. Got ahead of myself. I meant media for my Fluvial and other filter was expensive. I understand that sumps and refuges have no media only live rock. I have been researching them, but am only seeing half the picture. Once I get the main tank settled I will do some heavy research, so far just been reading bits and pieces. Thanks.

[saltydunc]

me personally i run a big fluval fx5 external filter,a jumbo ehiem internal,live rock and a protien skimmer....its always better to over filter then you cant go wrong