New to hobby question about my filter system

bigdoug · 10/23/2010, 06:39 PM

Hi all, i am new to the Saltwater hobby, i kept/bread cichlids for years, but have finally decided to venture into saltwater.

My question is about the filter system i am setting up, I have a 125g long tank, with the tidepool 2 system below, which i have modified. I have made it with dual inlets, filter pad, flowing over the biowheel, then to the protein skimmer, dual heaters, then dual 800gph return pumps. I am starting with FOWLR, and live sand. wanting to expand to some corals and inverts.

Any suggestions would be appriciated. Should anything be added/ subtracted from the system.

Thanks,

Bigdoug

Agu · 10/23/2010, 07:08 PM

To Reef Central

Filter pads and biowheels are efficient at converting ammonia to nitrite to nitrate. That's OK in a fish only tank but not in a reef tank. You'll want to maintain all three levels as low as possible. That means changing/ cleaning the filter pad often and removing the biowheel. In a reef tank you want to remove organics not just convert them to nitrates.

bigdoug · 10/23/2010, 07:16 PM

Thank you, i have been doing a lot of reading, and that was one i have not ran across. i didnt even think about it.

potterjon · 10/23/2010, 07:17 PM

I could be wrong buy I don't think you need the bio wheel at all given that you have enough rock. I have only seen the tidepool set up once and don't know that much about it, but it sounds like you are off to a good start! What kind of lights are you going to use? Good luck and have fun!

bigdoug · 10/23/2010, 07:52 PM

Current lights are 12x39 t5ho- 6 10k, and 6 460ac, 48lunar. also 2-150w mh, not installed yet. Just finished the stand and canopy, did not plan the greatest, did not make room for the MH, acquired them after the build gonna have to modify the canopy. Water test later this week.

10/23/2010, 06:39 PM	#1
bigdoug Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 337	New to hobby question about my filter system Hi all, i am new to the Saltwater hobby, i kept/bread cichlids for years, but have finally decided to venture into saltwater. My question is about the filter system i am setting up, I have a 125g long tank, with the tidepool 2 system below, which i have modified. I have made it with dual inlets, filter pad, flowing over the biowheel, then to the protein skimmer, dual heaters, then dual 800gph return pumps. I am starting with FOWLR, and live sand. wanting to expand to some corals and inverts. Any suggestions would be appriciated. Should anything be added/ subtracted from the system. Thanks, Bigdoug

10/23/2010, 07:08 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	*To Reef Central* Filter pads and biowheels are efficient at converting ammonia to nitrite to nitrate. That's OK in a fish only tank but not in a reef tank. You'll want to maintain all three levels as low as possible. That means changing/ cleaning the filter pad often and removing the biowheel. In a reef tank you want to remove organics not just convert them to nitrates. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

10/23/2010, 07:16 PM	#3
bigdoug Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 337	Thank you, i have been doing a lot of reading, and that was one i have not ran across. i didnt even think about it.

10/23/2010, 07:17 PM	#4
potterjon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 933	I could be wrong buy I don't think you need the bio wheel at all given that you have enough rock. I have only seen the tidepool set up once and don't know that much about it, but it sounds like you are off to a good start! What kind of lights are you going to use? Good luck and have fun!

10/23/2010, 07:52 PM	#5
bigdoug Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 337	Current lights are 12x39 t5ho- 6 10k, and 6 460ac, 48lunar. also 2-150w mh, not installed yet. Just finished the stand and canopy, did not plan the greatest, did not make room for the MH, acquired them after the build gonna have to modify the canopy. Water test later this week.