Filters, Filters, Filters, Filters..........................

[maxfischer]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Wow i never thought so many people would have so many diffrent thoughts about filters. This is what i have and what i'm thinking about. I have a Wet/Dry bioball filter,UV filter,Life Gaurd, Protein Skimmer, Refugium sump and last but not least i have a Reverse Osmosis. I was at a LFS( i think thats what you call it) a very good one and the guy i was talking to who works there for the past 22 years kinda seemed like he knew what he was talking about told me i should get a canister filter too, at first i thought he was after the sale but when he told me to look on e-bay to save money i knew it wasnt that. How much is too much???? He told me the refugium is great but not to forget the bioballs he said people are going overboard with the refugiums. Let me know what you all think before i run out and spend another $200 for another filter tjhat would make 7 counting the R/O#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[graphixx]

you do not want the bio balls in the filter they are traps for nitrates. a sump/refugium with a good skimmer and LR and live sand is all you really need for a healthy tank if you ask me and I think a lot of the others will agree. Biological filtration (live rock and sand) and good protein skimming will work better than any cnaister filter or hob filter you can get if you ask me

[davejnz]

I agree,Bio-balls/mechanical/suplemental biological filters throw the Nitrogen cycle off balance.These type of filters provide aerobic bacteria a substrate to grow on.This aerobic bacteria is responsible for the conversion of ammonia to nitrite then nitrite to nitrate.In order to complete the cycle,you need anaerobic bacteria which process nitrate.This bacteria only grows in areas where oxygen is scarce.The inner pore structures of liverock and the bottom layers of sandbed is where this de-nitrification takes place.Both kinds of bacteria need to be in balance with eachother to maintain low nitrogen levels in the aquarium.By providing additional substrates(bio-balls,sponges,etc..) for aerobic bacteria to grow on,this balance is thrown off thus leading to elevated Nitrate levels.

[flame]

I really do not have mush more to add to the two above statemts. Except stick with the KISS program Keep It Simple System.

[graphixx]

2 of the best things you can do to ensure good water quality in my opinion are these: have good LR and a good sand bed at least 3' , your deep sand bed will do 3 things first provide a place for processing and exporting some dissolved nutrients. Second, they provide a place to recycle detritus, excess foods, animal feces and other particulate material into useable forms. Finally, they provide a food source for many reef animals.
the sand grain surfaces in our systems provide the major substrate for nutrient processing bacteria. the bacterial population is determined by 3 things. the total sand surface area, the amount of nutrient available and the number and effects of bacterial predators.
a simple way to look at this: One organisms poison is anothers nutrient