New Here, First Question of Many I'm Sure

Hi! New here and after reading up on some of the forum posts I've seen many people suggest to just use LR for filtration and not use a canister filter. I Just ordered a Rena XP3 the other day before I read those *sigh. I have a built in overflow and was just getting it for additional filtration. I only have base rock and live sand in my new 100g right now and it seems to be cycling ok so far but I want to get LR as soon as I can. Would you suggest returning the filter for a refund and using that money to supplement the hit I'll be taking on LR? For what I spent on the filter I could get another 45lbs of LR.

Also, as it's cycling right now my ammonia is pretty high lol like 8ppm won't that kill everything on my LR and make it not so alive?

Thanks for the help! I gtg eat lunch with the wife, but beware, I shall return with more questions! ;D

 

I would return the filter system for sure. What kind of skimmer do you have?

I'm not sure about the LR and ammonia question. I am guessing the bacteria would be fine even with the ammonia that high, but I'm not certain.

Welcome to 3reef.

 

enjoy your lunch ninjabum

if you have overflow and thus a sump? the cannister filter is redundant IMO
if you have a sump, you can have reactors in there for GFO (Phosphate removing resin ) and Carbon ( removes stuff that makes your water unclear and also coral chemicals etc)
both good things to have and if you didnt have a sump, thats what I would suggest went into the cannister

so if you can get the money back on it , then why not

some more good news , you dont have to get live rock either
you can add more base rock, it will become live over time in your tank
you can add a couple of pieces of good looking live rock to give you the coralline spores you need so that your base rock eventually colours up


Steve

 

You don't really need "live rock" depending on how big your tank is you could get mostly base rock which will eventually become live. And get one or two pieces of live rock and maybe a scoop of sand out of someones tank. that would be your best bet.

 

Not to worry, keep the filter, it can be modified or used as is for other good media. I use these; Aquarium Filter Media: Azoo Quartz Ball Biological Filter Media at Foster & Smith Aquatics and you could run whatever else you need down the road i.e Purigen, ammosorb, carbon etc.

Oh, by the way....more questions? Ask away!

 

I have a Coralife Superskimmer for a 175g tank right now. It seemed to be the best tradeoff between cost and reliability. Seems to be doing well so far, lots of bubbles, but not much in the collection cup right now as theres probably not much to "skim" in there.

Yeah, it's basically a sump its just built into the back of the tank. Should I remove the foam pads in there? I have some bio-balls, carbon packets and the foam in there now. Should I just use the phosphate remover and carbon? I'm guessing the GFO just goes in a new filter sleeve like loose carbon does right?

Thanks for the help Oh, and my lunch was pretty good. General Tsu's chicken and crab rangoon= om nom nom's

Oh, on one of my pieces of base rock I have these globs of semi clear/ milky white substance that seem to be growing slowly. Sorta looks like globs of mucus that are slowly coating that side of the rock. Any ideas?

 

I know that fresh water canisters don't need carbon after the first couple weeks of filtration. Is this different for salt?

 

Rochael, there are many good reasons to run carbon in fresh water
clarity is one, it removes gelbstoff which turns the water yellow


in salt water and typically reefs there is another good reason to run carbon , many soft corals release chemicals in order to A prevent other corals encroaching on their territory or B to harm other corals so that they can move unimpeded to their neighbours area
in mixed tanks of various species running carbon 24/7 and changing frequently can help negate the effects of this warfare

Steve

 

Awesome! Thanks.