Improving water quality

Hi Guys

My tank has been up and running for around 7 weeks now(40gal), at the minute in my filter ive only got live rock rubble. Should i be adding anything else that will improve the water quality a lot? someone suggested i should have carbon and Phospate remover, and also a reactor?... but i dont know a lot about it, so im asking

Any advice appreicated

 

What type of filter and are you looking to house an corals in the future?

You have options. You can start a refugium (live algae, natural purification), run a skimmer (Hang on the back or not) and/or a Phosphate reactor (can also place granular ferric oxide in high flow places instead).

I would also feed lightly and use reverse osmosis/deionized water, if you aren't already.

I'm in the process of building a sump that will include a skimmer, phosphate reactor and a refugium. I'm looking to spend about $250-300 on the setup.

What are your parameters?

 

The filter i have is the one that came with the tank (Jewel rio 180). I already have a Tunze 9002 skimmer which seems to be working fine and am using RO water. Im looking at having soft corals at somepoint and 5-6 fish, at the minute i just have 2 clowns. Water params are all where they should be 0 amm 0 nitr etc

is a Phosphate reactor essential?

 

Nope, but they aren't overly expensive either ($50). If you place the GFO in a high flow area (such as the filter), that should suffice. It removes removes phosphates.

Phosban and cehmi pure elite seem to be popular.

Sounds like things are going well for you.

 

Yeah fingers crossed everything seems to be going OK, but im just checking when people mention things.. like to be sure. Thanks for the advice

 

I would Def get a Phosban reactor or make your own( very easy)
If you have extra money you should buy a UV sterilizer, but make sure its a very good one and the flow must be set to the right gph.
My water is crystal clear, and I do not even use any RODI water.

 

Crystal clear water isnt a sign of water that is clean.. you should be using rodi bud. no if ands or buts about it.

 

IF you have phosphates in your tank, you need to put some sort of media in there to combat it, its not necessary but it helps with algae. alot