Tank clean up?

[pro2k]

Since reef tanks these days do without chemical(carbon) and mechanical(filter pads, etc.) filtration how do you keep the water clean? I was thinking of running a cannister filter every once in awhile to 'clean' the water. Maybe attach the hose to a gravel siphon and clean the bottom to. Is this what you guys do?

[dakar]

It depends on how you look at things, you can use carbon in a reef tank, generally it's just used passively (a bag tossed into the sump or behind rockwork) instead of actively where water is forced through it in a filter. Skimming would fall into the mechanical filtration category, and of course the biological filtration.

Though not recommended you can use something like an 180micron media bag on the output of an overflow to catch some debris, but they have to be tended to very regularly (at least daily) or they become nitrate factories in a hurry. I've used this to run phosban type of media, and the bag turned brown very quickly.

A little siphoning every now and again isn't a bad thing, but if done too agressively you could be removing beneficial life, pods, bistle stars, worms and such.

Everything should now be clear as mud.

It seems the more balanced all water parameters are the more polished the water actually appears.

[pro2k]

So pretty much things just take care of themselves if everything is in balance. I guess it really isn't necessary for me to buy a cannister filter. I guess I need to stop over thinking this stuff and wait until everything is up and running........ :sign3:

[jerryc]

Man we all been with :sign3: at one time or anther :-D that is required for Reefing ;)

[pro2k]

Oops, sorry Dakar! I didn't realize :sign3: was pointing upwards! I meant it to be pointing towards me...... I hope it doesn't come down to :boxing:

[dakar]

Naw... i get titled worse than that on a daily basis lately..... But yes ditch the canister filter idea, a waste of $$$, unless you want to built a nitrate factory.

[m1a1fixer]

Just a dumb question, but what removes the larger particles too big for the skimmer, like cat hair? What do you guys use?

[dakar]

We generally try NOT to put the cats in the tank :)

For some odd reason even with 5 dogs and two cats animal hair has not been a problem... of course I say that now, Mr. Murphy will come along any minute now and fix that. Any hair I find is long and blonde (obviously not mine as I have none), and generally gets either caught in the powerhead screen or wrapped around an impeller.