Mechanical filter yay or nay?

Been running my 36g bowfront with the aeroforce 2 skimmer and emperor/bio wheel 200(?) filter that came with it since buying the tank in early September. Since then I've replaced the one 800gph no name powerhead of crap with two Koralia 750's. I've basically kept it running since the tank is doing relatively ok (still fighting with highish nitrates of around 40-60ppm) I've mainly kept the emperor filter on there for the flow it provided. But, it's loud, drives the gf crazy, and I feel like it's just another piece of equipment running for no reason since adding the 2nd Koralia. It has filter pads in it that I've changed once since.

So, after I clean the skimmer today, I'm wondering if I should just take the emperor filter off and run with just a skimmer. What are some problems I could encounter in doing so? Should I leave it on there or possibly think about replacing it with something newer/better? As always thanks in advance!

 

If you're just running the bio wheel for mechanical purposes I would take it out. Also if its THAT loud, there may be something wrong with it.. Most people run mechanical filters with activated carbon in them, it helps with water clarity. But a bio wheel is certainly not necessary on a salt tank. If you water change weekly and vacuum out some crud when you do that, you'll be just fine.

 

Well, it's not the pump that's that loud. Its the waterfall back into the tank that drives the gf nuts. It personally doesn't bother me, I find it rather soothing actually. If I pull the wheel out, it gets even louder due to the spray bar that's in there (spins the wheel) Idk, I'll get some more opinions before keeping it or pulling it out.

 

I ran 2 fluval fx5's when I was doing freshwater discus. When I switched over to saltwater I cleand them out and only put the sponges in and ran them for about 10 days while my skimmer was breaking in. since then I have removed both filters and only run the skimmer. The next step is to get my fuge done and let the macro algae do what the mechanical filters were not doing. They did help clear the water after adding sand. Those 2 filters will soon be for sale.

 

I doubt that your biowheel is contributing much flow,your two koralias should be fine for that.As mentioned a HOB filter can be of some benefit for running carbon or some other medias although a reactor would work much better.I would remove it,those filter pads you mentioned could be contributing to your nitrates and your girlfreind and tank will probably be happier.

 

+1 110%

I do run a HOB filter (Whisper 60) on my 29g system, but without the pads. It's used mainly for surface agitation and a place to hang media bags. Your Nitrate issue just might disappear if you pulled out the pads. Anything trapped in the filter still breaks down into DOCs, which in turn, increases Nitrate production; most of it is food for something in your tank, anyway. Pulling the plug or replacing the unit, however, is a personal choice.

 

Well, I just finished spraying the front of my skimmer black. Algae was growing like crazy inside of it. So hopefully that will help a bit.

As far as the filter, I think I'm going to wait until I put the skimmer back in and then just yank the power filter. Maybe I'll still end up doing a mini sump next to it for now. Don't wanna go too crazy as I have a 40B 40B setup in progress (albeit at a snails pace X( )

<stares at maxi jet 900> hmm, that will prolly do fine for a mini fuge...