Ok help me out. I have a 45 gallon tank that has been running for about 4 years now. I have approx 40 pounts of live rock in there. I was reading a few things on here and saw alot of people saying just use the filter for water flow, don't place any filters or media in there. Is this really a good thing to do. I need some claification on this?? Please help.
WOW! NO Filter????????
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Agreed. If you run media in your filter on a regular basis, you'll find that you get elevated nitrate levels. My big tank doesn't have any filters at all, but my smaller tanks have AquaClear filters with no media in them - just for circulation.
Are you running a deep sand bed? A deep sand bed, along with the amount of rock you have, is all you need for filtration.
Are you running a deep sand bed? A deep sand bed, along with the amount of rock you have, is all you need for filtration.
No, I am currently running about 3 inches of crushed coral....I think this is way wrong it sounds like I should be having about 5 to 6 inches of live sand in this tank. Am i right here???
Well, I wouldn't say that crushed coral is necessarily "wrong", but a DSB is the preferred way to go these days.
Here's an article you may find interesting:
http://www.rshimek.com/reef/sediment.htm
Well after reading this post, I decided to try a little test.
Filters have been runing with no cartridges. Water is perfect. I was realy nervous, but it turned out alright. About 45 lbs of live rock in my 55g and 5lbs a week being added until i'm satisfied.
Should I run my carbons a week per month just to be safe?
Filters have been runing with no cartridges. Water is perfect. I was realy nervous, but it turned out alright. About 45 lbs of live rock in my 55g and 5lbs a week being added until i'm satisfied.
Should I run my carbons a week per month just to be safe?
What do you want the carbon to do? With a skimmer running, there likely won't be much for the carbon to do in your system.
I think carbon should only be used to pull out meds, tannins inks, etc...If these aren't in your system, don't waste the time and money of running the carbon.
I think carbon should only be used to pull out meds, tannins inks, etc...If these aren't in your system, don't waste the time and money of running the carbon.
Thank you for the imput......
i put some garlic meds in every once in a great while to stay ahead of the dreaded ich. That probably would be the only reason for the carbon.
thanks again for the reply
i put some garlic meds in every once in a great while to stay ahead of the dreaded ich. That probably would be the only reason for the carbon.
thanks again for the reply
What you are referring to is the 'Berlin Method'.
The Berlin method has been in use for several years now, originating from Germany._ The Berlin method utilizes Lots of Live Rock, heavy protein skimming, and good water circulation._ The basis behind this is the heavy skimming removing most of the organics, then the natural de-nitrifying benefits of the rock handling the rest. This method of filtration requires the aquarist to pay close attention to the nutrients being added to the tank._ More than the skimmer is able to handle will result in degrading water quality over time, as is the case for any method of filtration.
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I have a 46 gallon bowfront with aprox. 45lbs of live rock and about 3 inches of sand with about another inch of crushed coral under that.
I have no filter on the tank. I do have a protein skimmer and 2 powerheads.
This tank was set up for 5 years (the previous owner) before I got it. We transported the live rock and sand wet then set the whole tank back up at my house. The tank never cycled.. I never had nitrate or ammonia spikes and now, 4 months later the tank is PACKED with corals (soft and LPS), quite a few gobies, a big anemone and lots of inverts.
I think the biggest thing to keep on top of is the water changes. I do 20-30% (RODI) every 2 weeks.
If you'd like to read more on the 'Berlin Method', try these links.
AnchoFish, Berlin write-up
ACMEreef, berlin info
The Berlin method has been in use for several years now, originating from Germany._ The Berlin method utilizes Lots of Live Rock, heavy protein skimming, and good water circulation._ The basis behind this is the heavy skimming removing most of the organics, then the natural de-nitrifying benefits of the rock handling the rest. This method of filtration requires the aquarist to pay close attention to the nutrients being added to the tank._ More than the skimmer is able to handle will result in degrading water quality over time, as is the case for any method of filtration.
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I have a 46 gallon bowfront with aprox. 45lbs of live rock and about 3 inches of sand with about another inch of crushed coral under that.
I have no filter on the tank. I do have a protein skimmer and 2 powerheads.
This tank was set up for 5 years (the previous owner) before I got it. We transported the live rock and sand wet then set the whole tank back up at my house. The tank never cycled.. I never had nitrate or ammonia spikes and now, 4 months later the tank is PACKED with corals (soft and LPS), quite a few gobies, a big anemone and lots of inverts.
I think the biggest thing to keep on top of is the water changes. I do 20-30% (RODI) every 2 weeks.
If you'd like to read more on the 'Berlin Method', try these links.
AnchoFish, Berlin write-up
ACMEreef, berlin info