To filter or not

I have a 75 FOWLR tank with a 20gal refugium below with cheato in it. Right now I have an Emperor 400 for the filter on the main tank. Can I get rid of the Emperor and if so how will the large waste from the tank be taken out. The refugium is feed by a HOB overflow. Should I maybe get a Fluval canister?? That will at least get the Emperor off the back of the tank.

Thanks for the input
Daryl

 

Yup get rid of it and get yourself a good protein skimmer and you should be good to go! 8) ................ John

 

John,
Just wondering were you suggesting he gets rid of his emporer and rely soley on a protein skimmer and LR for filteration?

Daryl,
I was just going to add.... how much LR do you have in the tank? I would say you should have at least 125#'s in a 75 gallon if you are going to remove your filters all together. Also watch any kind of ammonia climb if you do decide to remove your external filters.

If you don't have enough LR, then I would definitely keep a canister on the tank for additional filteration.


John,
I wasn't questioning your post, just wanted to clarify and bring up a point of my own.

Sean

 

Good point Skennelly, About the live rock I guess I just assumed that he had live rock in his tank but after reading his sig I see that he doesn't mention having any.

I was suggesting he just use the skimmer and live rock + his 200lbs of Southdown sand( that would give him at least a 4" sand bed ) and refugium only for filtration. That should be all he needs,Unless he wants to also add a UV filter.

That is (IF) he has at least 60lbs of live rock in his tank........ John

 

Got about 100lbs of live rock, so just ditch the Emperor. Then... Does the larger waste get broken down by the bacteria in the live rock and live sand?? My tanks readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites .10 nitrates, ph 8.2, sg 1.023, Phosphates .10 and temp 79. Just dont want to mess things up to bad but would like to rid myself of that ugly filter

 

Also skimmer in the refugium..

 

I keep an Emperor 400 on the back of my 90, along with a protein skimmer, a 20 gal refugium and 135 lbs of live rock...... It removes some solids and lets you use carbon easily if you want.

You must not like the way it looks ?? ;D

Jim

 

I would say If you get a good skimmer you don't need the Emperor. And yes the waste will be broken down by biological filtration. ( I have never used a canister filter ) Now this is just my opinion and some may not agree, But I WOULD DITCH THE Emperor after you get your skimmer up and running JMO........................ John