bimbom Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I have the Rio Nano Filter/Skimmer. It had been running fine for a few weeks until I bought some live rock/coral rock rubble (1.5 lbs). I got it because my tank needs more live rock, but doesn't have so much room for it (I have a good amount of base rock in there), so I put the rubble in the filter compartment of the Rio, as well as below the skimmer compartment. Since then, over the last few weeks, twice the Rio has stopped flowing water. It's still on (the motor still pulling), but there's not enough pressure. Note that I also frequently have my water intake valve not fully open - about 45 degree angle (low flow). I'm wondering if putting rubble under the middle skimmer compartment could be causing this? I can't see why rubble in the third (filter) compartment would do it. Also, is my base rock now considered "live rock" ? It's been about 6 weeks and it's covered in diatom algae. Link to comment
bimbom Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 I did notice the water level had dropped to almost an inch below the bottom of the HOB filter. Is it possible this could have caused the problem? I topped off yesterday and will see if it happens again. I'm thinking though that I put too much live rock rubble in the HOB and that it's lowering the pressure of the water flow from intake to output. Link to comment
Tamberav Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Base rock becomes live rock over time but depends on your definition of live rock (weather one just means bacteria, coralline, sponges, worms, ect). If your cycle has ended then there bacteria living on it now and their #'s will fluctuate depending on bioload/available food. Why do you need rubble in the HOB? Many people here run minimalistic tanks without problems. Are you running filter floss before the rubble so it isn't catching debris? Link to comment
bimbom Posted April 19, 2014 Author Share Posted April 19, 2014 Base rock becomes live rock over time but depends on your definition of live rock (weather one just means bacteria, coralline, sponges, worms, ect). If your cycle has ended then there bacteria living on it now and their #'s will fluctuate depending on bioload/available food. Why do you need rubble in the HOB? Many people here run minimalistic tanks without problems. Are you running filter floss before the rubble so it isn't catching debris? I guess I could just put the rubble in the tank instead of in the HOB filter. I don't have any filter floss. Link to comment
Tamberav Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 I guess I could just put the rubble in the tank instead of in the HOB filter. I don't have any filter floss. I mean, why do you need rubble at all? Your rock should provide enough. If you keep rubble in the filter, I would definably run floss before it. Otherwise the rock is going to catch debris and slow the flow. Link to comment
bimbom Posted April 19, 2014 Author Share Posted April 19, 2014 I added the rubble because I only have 3lbs of live rock in my 10g tank, and I thought that wasn't enough. That makes sense about the debris .. is the filter floss that stuff that is blue on one side, white on the other? Link to comment
Tamberav Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 I added the rubble because I only have 3lbs of live rock in my 10g tank, and I thought that wasn't enough. That makes sense about the debris .. is the filter floss that stuff that is blue on one side, white on the other? It's stuffing, you just use some and toss it every few days. A big bag is like $3-5 maybe? I guess I should have called it poly fill Just make sure it doesn't say mold resistant, ect. Some are treated with chemicals. http://www.amazon.com/Fairfield-Poly-Fil-Premium-Polyester-16-Ounce/dp/B006I04VLU/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1397937271&sr=1-1&keywords=poly+fill got any pics of the tank? Link to comment
bimbom Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 It's stuffing, you just use some and toss it every few days. A big bag is like $3-5 maybe? I guess I should have called it poly fill Just make sure it doesn't say mold resistant, ect. Some are treated with chemicals. http://www.amazon.com/Fairfield-Poly-Fil-Premium-Polyester-16-Ounce/dp/B006I04VLU/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1397937271&sr=1-1&keywords=poly+fill got any pics of the tank? Cool. Yep, here is a pic and a closeup. The cardboard frame around the tank is so I could see what a 40g long would look like in the space. Link to comment
Tamberav Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 ha You will be just fine with that amount of rock. Many of us use minimalistic scapes. I wouldn't worry about the rubble. Link to comment
bimbom Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 ha You will be just fine with that amount of rock. Many of us use minimalistic scapes. I wouldn't worry about the rubble. Only the far left piece and the piece underneath the top right rock are "live rock." The other two big ones were pieces of base rock I got online. Left one has got algae growing on it pretty good by now though Link to comment
Tamberav Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Only the far left piece and the piece underneath the top right rock are "live rock." The other two big ones were pieces of base rock I got online. Left one has got algae growing on it pretty good by now though Once the cycling is complete it will be "live rock" and have bacteria living on it. Eventually sponges/feather dusters/coralline will take up residence too. Link to comment
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