Macro in a HOB?

umm you mind specifying a little? (still a noobie lol)

 

If ur tank is already cycled the fuge will be better than the carbon. However having another smaller filter available to run GAC or GFO on occasion would be a good idea.

 

ok i have an idea. How about in the HoB i add some beads for the good bacteria to grow on and just add some chaeto and LR rubble?

 

I have a sump/fuge with a protien skimmer and still use the HOB to run GAC and GFO since I am not ready for reactors yet.

 

umm.... what? XD still a noobie, remember? what exactly is a reactor used for anyway?

 

If you have cheato, LR rubble and LS you won't need beeds/pellets as the bacteria grows on the LR and LS. Plus you won't need to do the maintenance of the pellets/beeds. Reactors are pump driven chambers to either balance calcium or for export of nutrients and metals when using GAC, GFO or bio-pellets. Usually for larger tanks and SPS dominated systems. Hope this helps.

 

but i'll still have regular nitrate readings i assume. I just want to use chaeto, LR, and LS to help with nitrates. Basically i just want it to work like carbon and allow bacteria to make nitrate so i can just take care of it with water changes. after all this small nano is only going to be like 3-4 2" fish with a cleaner shrimp

 

Yes in the smaller tanks we will always have some nitrates. If you maintain a minimal feeding schedule and weekly water changes you'll do great. Are you putting corals in the future? If so softies and some LPS usually do good in well maintained nanos. Good luck

 

I'm thinking about corals but I'll probably keep only a few fish and the cleaner shrimp for most of the time until i go for corals later on. Well the tank is actually cycled... well the QT which im gonna be using as the nano; my reshwater is becoming my saltwater QT. anyway I'll just replace the carbon with a few beads just for the hell of it lol and some chaeto and LR (tank has LS already and a pretty good bed of LS at that). Can't wait to get started!

 

The rubble will act like carbon in that it provides a porous surface for bacteria to house. If I were you I would also run a 2nd HOB filter where you can run carbon when needed and possibly phosban... the possibilities are somewhat endless. Are you going to have a skimmer on this tank? As long as you dont overfeed and have a good CUC, i highly doubt you will ever see ammonia after your cycle is through