HOB skimmer question.

Hi Gang!
Well, I'm back with more questions since my 46 gal Bow front is up and cycling . I have the Emperor 400 running now but am not a big fan. If I got the Octopus 800 skimmer ,which has a spot for filter media in it, can I get rid of the Emperor? I have 30 lbs of dead sand and 40 lbs of base rock now with some live rock going in this weekend. Using the shrimp method so far and ammonia is high right now so it's working.

Thanks for any info as always!
Matt

 

Hi Mattb

IMO
Yes you can remove the HOB filter - bacteria will colonise the rock etc
also depening on how much rock you end up with and how much water flow you have in your tank - you may not need any additional biological filtration media in the skimmer

and that space would be better used to run carbon or GFO or other chemical media (if you dont have sump/ reactor combo]

Steve

 

Thanks Steve,
That sounds so much better. I plan on getting about 15 more lbs of rock. I want to get a power head or two also to keep the water moving. Thanks for the input!