Mechanical Filtration on a Reef Tank?

[dtiedke]

Aside from a skimmer, who here uses mechanical filtration? I am talking about floss, mesh, or power canisters....


I don't use any, and was wondering if anyone else is not as well.


Dave

 

[Len]

Well over a decade using no mechanical filtration .... yet to encounter any reason to use it on a chronic basis. The only times I bust mechanical filtration out is after spawning events when I throw in polyfilters to help "scrub" the water clean again.

 

[Anonymous]

IMO mechanical filtration can be bad and good. I myself use a emperor 400 and aqua c remora skimmer, but only use the 400's cartridges one week a month to polish the water after water changes and to soak up excess what have you. Just take the cartridges out of the mechanical filter and use it as a powerhead mainly with the option to add charcoal and absorbing filtering compounds.

 

[dgasmd]

I don't current;y have any in 1 year, but voted yes because I do plan to put some.

Let me explain how and why. I have a 550 gal system and I have noticed over the last year a ton of crude accumulating in my sand bed. I have critters and all, but stuff is accumulating and making small patches of algae.. I want to get a cartridge filter that I will use with my water changing pump to polish the water after I stir the hell out of it. I plan to blow the rocks really well and then move the very top layer of sand in my tank. Just enough to allow all the crap to go into suspension. Then, I will do my usual 50 gal water change and leave the filter on for another day to suck up crap. Then, I will take it down. I can foresee it being a chore, but it will work well I think.

 

[Anonymous]

I only use mechanical to polish water, as stated above. Basically, just sponges stuck onto my powerheads.

Dimaggio, I wonder why you don't use a syphon to suck up the top layer of sand? Obviously, you can't be overzealous, just the very top grains...enuff to suck out the detritus and occasional algae spots. Once the sand is in a pail, simply rinse it and gently replace it. I do this regularly with no discernible problems to my DSB.

 

[GSchiemer]

Uleashed,

What's that animal pictured in your avatar and how do I get one?

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

It's a baby sugarglider

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=34772&start=0

As to how to get one, I've no idea. Hwarang might know since it was his pic to begin with...

 

[mountainbiker619]

I use a 100 micron sock that all the water flows through before entering the sump as my mechanical filtration.

 

[dgasmd]

Dimaggio, I wonder why you don't use a syphon to suck up the top layer of sand? Obviously, you can't be overzealous, just the very top grains...enuff to suck out the detritus and occasional algae spots. Once the sand is in a pail, simply rinse it and gently replace it. I do this regularly with no discernible problems to my DSB.

I could do that, but I ahve a large system and I already ahve the water changes automated so all I have to do is turn a few valves and it is done. I don't even get my hands wet!! Having a syphon and doing what you propose, as very effective as I can gather it will be, defeats the purpose for me. Using the other method is minimal work for me. Yes, I am lazy..... :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

*snerkle* LOL

Where is the FUN in that? Hell, man, the whole point of keeping water in glass is so we can play in it! It never ocurred to me to go the dry route, I've been walking around soggy for almost 10 years now!! I think that if my clothing ever dried, I'd die of dehydration LOL

8O

Mind you, I keep freshwater also. The salt is a tad sticky. When I first started mixing salt water, I used to break out all over my arms in a rash. Pretty 8)

 

[Anonymous]

Get a job in the trade, unleashed, and you will NEVER again be eager to stick your hand in a tank! :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Get a JOB in the trade? HAHAHA! 8)

 

[Anonymous]

I use a 100 micron sock that all the water flows through before entering the sump as my mechanical filtration.

I do the same. It's a pain to bleach the bags every other week but my water looks much better when using it.

 

[Anonymous]

Need another option

"not no, but NEVER EVER!"

 

[DOGMAI]

I use a fluval 304 but only have carbon in it. I noticed when I did use the filter pads it was very dirty in there. That is good and bad. Good because it pulled all the crap out of the tank but bad because technically it was still in the tank until I cleaned the filter. I stopped using a filter all together for a while but water started taking on a yellow tint that I just couldn’t handle looking at. Hooked it back up with just the carbon and the next day the water was crystal clear. Now I just blow off the rocks once a week when I do my water changes and let the skimmer grab all the crap. Works pretty well.