Brizzle412 Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 I was curious to hear some opinions on this..... I have a 20g Nuvo I just cycled(special thanks to those who replied to my last post if you're reading this) I like the look of an open tank I have around 18lb of reef saver rock in my display and I feel like it's too much rock. Can I break up the rock and put it in the back chamber and still receive the same filtration benifiets? Does it need light? I don't see why not but I don't wanna go breaking apart my rock without being sure. I'm going for a two separate island kind of look in my display and going with the recommended lbs isn't working out for that Link to comment
seabass Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I'm not a big fan of rubble in a filter. You might as well use bio-balls (they are easier to keep clean). However, I bet you could get away with less rock and not have any bio-media in the filter chambers. For example, with a light bio-load, I bet you could keep as little as 10 lbs of rock in the display (and not have rubble or bio-balls in the back). Link to comment
teenyreef Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 ^this 10 lbs of rock in a 20g tank is probably plenty. Are you running a skimmer? Link to comment
mystersyster Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I agree with them as well. You could use a block of marine pure bio media cut to fit your back chamber. That stuff has so much room for bacteria to grow. IMO/E less rock is better for water flow and easy cleaning of detritus. Link to comment
Tamberav Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I use Eheim Substrat Pro biological filter media in the second chamber of my IM10 and run floss in the first chamber. This keeps it free of debris but I also have it in a porous bag so its easy to rinse/clean. I would recommend something like this over rock rubble for the back chamber. I started using this substrate because I read something about matrix and I think marine pure possibly causing elevated aluminum levels. I'm not sure if this have been proven or not. I just figured better safe than sorry. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I wouldn't use rubble in the chambers. Its hard enough keeping the small chambers clean of detritus and adding rubble will lead to more issues. Link to comment
teenyreef Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I use Eheim Substrat Pro biological filter media in the second chamber of my IM10 and run floss in the first chamber. This keeps it free of debris but I also have it in a porous bag so its easy to rinse/clean. I would recommend something like this over rock rubble for the back chamber. I started using this substrate because I read something about matrix and I think marine pure possibly causing elevated aluminum levels. I'm not sure if this have been proven or not. I just figured better safe than sorry. Tamberav, do you take the media out of the bag to rinse it, or just rinse it in the bag? I assume you rinse it in old water during a water change? Link to comment
Tamberav Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Tamberav, do you take the media out of the bag to rinse it, or just rinse it in the bag? I assume you rinse it in old water during a water change? I leave it in the bag, its a pretty large bag so I just sort of smoosh it around lol. Yes, in old water. I have it sitting in InTank's fuge basket. So far there really hasn't been anything visually to remove thanks to intanks floss but good habit non-the-less. Link to comment
Rural Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I was curious to hear some opinions on this..... to go against the grain.... I put ruble in my back about 1 year ago. blast it with a baster and clean it out when doing a WC. but overall, not as big a headache as they want you to believe. I have been seeing more macro-life since doing this, and that was my goal. I probably will not do it this way for future set ups though. Link to comment
teenyreef Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 I agree - I think this is stock advice that's good for beginning reefers (to not do it, I mean), but if you are aware of the downside and do the basic tank husbandry to keep it clean, it ought to work fine. I think the key is to have the rubble loose enough that the baster can clear stuff out. I leave it in the bag, its a pretty large bag so I just sort of smoosh it around lol. Yes, in old water. I have it sitting in InTank's fuge basket. So far there really hasn't been anything visually to remove thanks to intanks floss but good habit non-the-less. Thanks, that's what I thought. It's good to know that it works well to do it that way Link to comment
Clown79 Posted August 2, 2016 Share Posted August 2, 2016 I do the same as Tamberav. I rinse out my media bags with the water change water. It helps remove any buildup on the bag which can aid in nutrient buildup. Link to comment
Bcb577 Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 I've had my 14gallon biocube up for six months and due to money issues I'm choosing to stay with the bioballs that came with the tank when new.according to what I've researched,you should not rinse the bioballs until the tank is a minimum of four months old,and you shouldn't rinse them all at once,do some small amount each time,I know some will say I'm wrong but it's working for me so I'm good,not that I think I know more vec I'm sure I don't but it works,I added some filter floss to the top of chamber two so it should pick up all the detritus before getting to the national's,in theory anyway,lol Link to comment
seabass Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 ... due to money issues I'm choosing to stay with the bioballs that came with the tank... If money is an issue, and you can't afford an inTank media basket, you can just take them out and not buy the basket (and leave the chamber empty). The live rock in your display is an adequate biological filter. The bio-balls are for tanks without another biofilter. When removing the balls: first, take out 1/3 of the balls wait a week then take out 1/2 of the remaining balls wait another week then take out the rest of the bio-balls Link to comment
Bcb577 Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Would it be good to run a bag of carbon in chamber 2 I have hemisphere elite in there now? Link to comment
seabass Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Chemipure Elite is basically a premium activated carbon, some resin, and a little GFO. Adding additional activated carbon shouldn't be necessary. Link to comment
Bcb577 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Chemipure Elite is basically a premium activated carbon, some resin, and a little GFO. Adding additional activated carbon shouldn't be necessary.ok seabass that's what I thought,but I need to trust myself more,lol but it's always good to get a second opinion especially when it's so easily accessible! Link to comment
seabass Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Yep, better to clarify something than to assume. Link to comment
Clown79 Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 You can make your own media basket out of zip ties and eggcrate. There are a lot of diy online for them. The best thing I purchased for $30 was my media caddy. Stick your floss and carbon in it and go. Link to comment
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