filter material

[D.Barta]

I have a emp.400 on my 20 gallon just wanting input on what to put inside for filter? I know they sell sheets of white & blue layered material at LFS,wondering if this is the same stuff for A/C units sold at hardware stores?

[RayAllen]

You will find that alot of reefers do not use HOB filters. But a cool thing that you can do with it is turn it into a fuge. Basically fill it with LR rubble/ cheato or what ever youd like and put a small compact light over the top and bingo you have your self a breeding ground for lots of beneficial critters.

[MissT]

I think the filter pad is a good way to go since you really wouldn't want to run carbon in a reef tank, and the replacement cartridges made for the Emperors have it in them, so that would be a good substitute. Depending on your LFS, the bulk filter pad should be cheap enough to warrant getting it there instead of the hardware store. Support LFS! :wink_smile:

[caferacermike]

I buy bulk polyester from Walmart at about $3.00 a huge bundle. It's in the sewing area and it's called "batting". Comes in several thicknesses and densities. Be very wary of A/C foam. I had a contractor offer me a 5' diameter 4' tall roll of the stuff for free once. I realized what he had was impregnated with a light oil. The oil traps particles better than a dry foam. If you wad it and roll it through your fingers you'll be able to tell instantly if oil has been sprayed on it.

[JimD]

"since you really wouldn't want to run carbon in a reef tank"

Huh? I run carbon every time right after a water change and whenever I notice the water 'yellowing' a bit. I would definately not use filter floss of any kind, take Rays advice, use live rock rubble and turn it into a refugium.

[caferacermike]

I've heard the carbon bit several times Big Jim. It's the idea that carbon will leech to many essential trace elements from the water.

In a nod to your established idea that you must run carbon and to heck with floss, well why does it work for me? I run floss constantly. My tank is just as nice as yours. So whadya think of that? I will admit that I toss it out every 3 days and don't let it accumulate waste. However with that said, it's the exact same thing for carbon, in fact the same could be said about any part of our tanks. Don't let the water go for to long without a water change, don't let the skimmer run dirty, change your carbon, phosban, and floss more often than you do now.

[JimD]

Mikey! I think you just answered your own question.

"Don't let the water go for to long without a water change, don't let the skimmer run dirty, change your carbon, phosban, and floss more often than you do now."

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[jehudson]

Sorry for the aside … but some of you may get a kick out of this question. The blue and white filter pad (I’m shaking my head as I ask) … which side goes up? It’s been plaguing me for a year and I’ve finally got the nerve to ask.

[MissT]

You want the white side going against the water flow first since the blue is woven tighter, so you have varied stages of mechanical filtration.
I should have guessed that the carbon thing would open a can of worms, since there are two pretty distinct schools of thought on that one, so I wasn't trying to step on any toes or anything. Carbon definately has two awesome functions that could be used to solve temporary issues: polishing the water and removing medications. Since people typically have a QT, medicine shouldn't be going into your display so what's left is using it to polish the water to make it crystal clear.

[caferacermike]

Mikey! I think you just answered your own question.

"Don't let the water go for to long without a water change, don't let the skimmer run dirty, change your carbon, phosban, and floss more often than you do now."

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So does that mean you might be willing to try running some type of floss or filter bag? Several other members run them. Or would you just be willing to redact such a bold statement telling others to "definately not use filter floss of any kind". BTW definitely needs another "i" not an "a". Used to trip me up for years as well.

[JimD]

"I would definately not use filter floss of any kind, "

Umm, Mikey ole boy, Does that statement appear to be telling others to definately not use the stuff? No, It mearly states that "I" would not use it, you can do whatever you want, I really dont care. Not a bold statement at all, Its all in the way YOU interpret it. To say that your tank looks as nice as mine is a rather arrogant statement since youve never seen my tank in preson, right? Now THATS a bold statement! lol

[OceanInMotion]

ok. like others, i run carbon for a day after water changes. filter floss is ok for when you want to trap big stuff quickly. have you ever stuck filter floss in a canister filter, or a HOB filter, and cleaned it out say.... 3 weeks later? its NASTY! thats why i wouldnt keep filter floss on 24/7.

personally, i run a canister filter (for now) with tons of LR rubble and one of those blue/white pads. theyre kinda spongey, but they dont get gunked up like regular filter floss will.

if you want crystal clear water, think about running a UV steralizer. when i ran one, WOW my water was clear. now, not so much.

i need to get another one of those..

[D.Barta]

I,m limited on cash so the only my only filter is the emp.400 rite now its running with nothing in it so if I put rubble in both sides would I need to put a little lite over it and once i put rubble in it do I just leave it alone.I also thought about rubble on one side and filter floss on other which i would clean often and replace with new everyother week or so.Ido have about 25 pounds of LR in the tank.

[jehudson]

Sorry D. Barta ... Second time I've inserted a question ... won't happen again.

I've been running carbon constantly on a rotating basis 24/7 for a year now. I read that I should change half of it about every 4 - 6 weeks to preserve some of the bacteria that's grown on it (reef keeping book ... don’t remember the name off the top of my head). I've read just enough to make me dangerous ... but I'm still reading in hopes of wisdom. I keep two filter bags with about half a pound each and I replenish one of them at every water change. Is this another huge mistake I've been making for a long time? It seems as though there some very strong points of view on this issue so I'm pretty confused about it now.

[OceanInMotion]

I,m limited on cash so the only my only filter is the emp.400 rite now its running with nothing in it so if I put rubble in both sides would I need to put a little lite over it and once i put rubble in it do I just leave it alone.I also thought about rubble on one side and filter floss on other which i would clean often and replace with new everyother week or so.Ido have about 25 pounds of LR in the tank.

no, you dont need any lights on the rubble you put in the filter. it wont grow coraline on it, but the bacteria will still live in it.

[JimD]

"no, you dont need any lights on the rubble you put in the filter. it wont grow coraline on it, but the bacteria will still live in it."

Then it wont be a refugium, the purpose of a refugium it to grow macro algae such as Chaetomorpha to be used as nutrient export to help in the control of excess nitrarates. http://www.maast.org/forums/smooth/misc/progress.gifYoull basicly have a small, hang on sump.