Natural Reef Water Changes Filtration?

apache2a · 05/21/2020, 10:11 PM

I am setting up a 300 gallon fish only tank with an old acrylic 100g I'll use as a sump. I live in the Philippines and there is reef all around me. I have a small local style boat and plan to grab water when I got out fishing or snorkeling.

How would you guys filter this water (or would you filter it at all)?

I think at a minimum I need to run it through a sock type filter to get out the little tiny jellyfish etc... that tend to hand out in the water. Beyond that would you do anything?

I thought about using a UV sterilizer and small skimmer and letting them run for a day or so before using the water, but after reading about using natural sea water that might actually be detrimental as it takes some of the good stuff out of the water.

For a fish only tank though, would it be better to filter it?

How soon would you say it needs to be used after bringing it in?

If it gets too hot for 20 or 30 minutes will that ruin the water?

Sorry to ask so many questions. It is all new to me. Most of my reef experience was in San Diego and I just got free filtered water from the Scripps run off which was awesome. I do have some experience with mixing too, but I've never just pulled it off the reef!

Michael Hoaster · 05/22/2020, 08:36 AM

I would use it as is. I would like to get the extra biodiversity. But if you want to filter it you could. Up to you!

MarAquatic · 05/22/2020, 10:15 AM

I'd use it as is

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mav3rick478 · 05/22/2020, 12:08 PM

If you're trying to get rid of the jellyfish than yes run the water through a sock otherwise like everyone else suggested use it as is.

I would think if you keep the water in a brute trash can with a powerhead in a shaded area it would keep for a while like any other water mixing station.

I would think that if the water gets too hot, just cool it off before using it. Tide pools get super hot but the water can still sustain life because the creatures in them have adapted.

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apache2a · 05/23/2020, 04:37 AM

THank you all very much. I appreciate it. I'll give it a go and let you know.

05/21/2020, 10:11 PM	#1
apache2a Registered Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 5	Natural Reef Water Changes Filtration? I am setting up a 300 gallon fish only tank with an old acrylic 100g I'll use as a sump. I live in the Philippines and there is reef all around me. I have a small local style boat and plan to grab water when I got out fishing or snorkeling. How would you guys filter this water (or would you filter it at all)? I think at a minimum I need to run it through a sock type filter to get out the little tiny jellyfish etc... that tend to hand out in the water. Beyond that would you do anything? I thought about using a UV sterilizer and small skimmer and letting them run for a day or so before using the water, but after reading about using natural sea water that might actually be detrimental as it takes some of the good stuff out of the water. For a fish only tank though, would it be better to filter it? How soon would you say it needs to be used after bringing it in? If it gets too hot for 20 or 30 minutes will that ruin the water? Sorry to ask so many questions. It is all new to me. Most of my reef experience was in San Diego and I just got free filtered water from the Scripps run off which was awesome. I do have some experience with mixing too, but I've never just pulled it off the reef!

05/22/2020, 08:36 AM	#2
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I would use it as is. I would like to get the extra biodiversity. But if you want to filter it you could. Up to you! __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

05/22/2020, 10:15 AM	#3
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 689	I'd use it as is Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

05/22/2020, 12:08 PM	#4
mav3rick478 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: California Posts: 888	If you're trying to get rid of the jellyfish than yes run the water through a sock otherwise like everyone else suggested use it as is. I would think if you keep the water in a brute trash can with a powerhead in a shaded area it would keep for a while like any other water mixing station. I would think that if the water gets too hot, just cool it off before using it. Tide pools get super hot but the water can still sustain life because the creatures in them have adapted. Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

05/23/2020, 04:37 AM	#5
apache2a Registered Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 5	THank you all very much. I appreciate it. I'll give it a go and let you know.