POS filter!!

I have to respectfully disagree. I have a Whisper HOB filter that I planned on getting rid of once I had my sump/fuge running. Well, I still use it for carbon. If you throw some carbon (or Rowaphos*) in a mesh bag (or whatever else you keep it in), and throw it in your sump (or in your tank in front of a powerhead or your sump return), it won't do as much good as in a power filter. Simple fluid dynamics (water will take the path of least resistance- going around the bag is easier than going through it). In the sump: passive filtering by the carbon (or Rowaphos*) as most of the water can go around it. In the power filter: active filtering by the carbon (or Rowaphos*) as all of the water passing through the power filter has to go through it. That's why I think (in my opinion) it's a good idea to consider using a HOB filter. Now, that doesn't mean I think you must use a HOB filter, only that I think it may be a good idea.

*Rowaphos, Phosban, or any other phosphate-reducing product meant to be used in a bag.

 

Yeah, I can see your point. Pros and Cons. I am still trying to figure a way to run carbon without creating a nitrate factory. That is really the only reason I would have one to tell the truth. That is a good idea. I don't even like filter socks anymore. Nitrate factories. I got rid of mine and saw my nitrate levels cut in half. I saw here in a post today where someone built something called a carbon reactor? Wastemanagement? Now if that is what I think it is, that is what I want to do. Just as long as I don't have sponges and bioballs and a bunch of stuff catching garbage to rot. It's a poopy thing.

 

No skimmer yet, had a HOB skimmer that was a peice of junk, collected nothing in 2 months of running and threw out a couple million bubbles into the tank. As long as my nitrates are staying low I will run without one, I'll get a nice one once I find the room for a sump. As I add a couple more fish I am sure my nitrates will rise without running a skimmer and something will have to be done!

I am still running carbon through the filter, so I am gonna run without the front pad and watch closely the next couple of weeks. With just the carbon running the worst thing that could happen is the carbon filters stopping up and there is just enough room for water to flow over them without overflowing. Those filters are changed bi-weekly though so I do not see that happening. Thanks again for the responses everyone!