Microbubble help

I agree. I would ditch the canister completely too. I use no mechanical filters in my tank. Just a skimmer. The chaeto algae in my fuge acts as a mechanical filter but it is filled with bristle worms and pods to eat whatever it traps.

 

I checked out the website and submitted their form for getting a recommendation of what I need. Thanks.

If I ditch the filter (and can't afford to set up a sump or refugium right now) then how do I run media? Is the skimmer enough filtration?

I should also note that I am using the 2 Koralia power heads (1's) and the filter was providing some circulation. If I get rid of the filter should I add more powerheads?

 

No media. Just a skimmer.

Media just traps junk and keeps it in your water where it decomposes into ammonia, nitrite and finally nitrate. It stays in your tank's water the entire time unless you are changing the filters quite often.

With a skimmer all of the junk in your water gets skimmed out and pushed into the skimmer's collection cup. In the collection cup it can decompose all it wants without affecting your tank since it is no longer in your tank's water.

Some people do use some media such as filter socks. Perhaps most people. I'm not sure. All I can say is what works for me. Tank is doing well and nitrates are at 0.1 ppm.

 

I have a type of HOB skimmer (see my sig) that has an extra chamber. I can run carbon and what not in here.

I too run an HOB filter, but there is no media in it whatsoever. It is because of a pesky little dead spot in my flow that the long input tube reaches. It's rather irritating really

Having said that, they don't have particularly much flow anyway... your two K1's are probably fine w/the skimmer...

I do not have a fuge or sump or filter or any of that... skimmer and LR, that's it.

 

Thanks Peredhil. I forgot to mention the live rock. Very important part of your tank. It handles the biological filtration.

 

OK. So, this is what I am hearing...

1) get rid of the canister filter -- possibly save it for when it necessary to temporarily run some sort of media
2) Keep live rock (I have over 50 pounds)
3) "upgrade" Cleaner crew
4) Possibly upgrade skimmer?

Does that sound right?

 

yip. Congratulations, your microbubbles are solved! : man, one thing sure does lead to another, eh?

 

Yes, one thing definitely leads to the other in this hobby...and usually to opening up your pocketbook I will tolerate the microbubbles until I can get a new clean up crew and possibly update the skimmer.

Thanks!