nitrate factory

creep · 08/28/2006, 04:20 PM

I just added water to my tank today, and am starting the cycling process. I was wondering though. I am using a fluval 303 that i have taken the sponges out of and all the filter material. When the tank has finished its cycle, i will add carbon and replace it every two weeks, as well as clean the fluval. If i do it like this, will the fluval still be a home for nitrates or will it be ok. Also since i'm cleaning it every two weeks, should i leave the sponges out, or put them back in? thanks for your help.

DerekABZ · 08/28/2006, 04:24 PM

i used my fluval as a polishing filter to get rid of the sand storm i filled it with filter wool for a couple of days with the sponges ditched, its running now empty of everything and i presume this causes no problems as my params are all good with nitrates between 0 - 5 but im sure som1 with more expertise will say yes/no

Cheers

Derek

rtecanoe · 08/28/2006, 04:42 PM

The fluval will be good for your carbon, but I wouldn't put the sponges back in.

kraze3 · 08/28/2006, 05:17 PM

if your running it empty your pretty much just using it for water movement which is fine. If kept clean it wont be a problem.

yeame · 08/28/2006, 10:15 PM

fill it with rubble rock as long as you don't cram the rock in it it will be fine for a long time my 404 is going on 4 years I went to clean it and it had millions of pods in it so I haven't bothered with it

creep · 08/28/2006, 10:51 PM

thats a good idea to put ruble rock in there, i never thought of that. I also want to have carbon in there to help keep the water crystal clear. should i put the carbon above or below the rubble rock? I would say above to make it easier to change, but also below to let some of the pods enter the tank easier.

bertoni · 08/28/2006, 10:57 PM

I'd just put the carbon top to avoid disassembling the rock area for changes. No need to make more work.

yeame · 08/29/2006, 09:00 PM

I have never run corbon in any of my reef tanks but if you do make sure it is a good brand that dosn't fill your tank with phosphates

08/28/2006, 04:20 PM	#1
creep Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cypress, Ca Posts: 379	nitrate factory I just added water to my tank today, and am starting the cycling process. I was wondering though. I am using a fluval 303 that i have taken the sponges out of and all the filter material. When the tank has finished its cycle, i will add carbon and replace it every two weeks, as well as clean the fluval. If i do it like this, will the fluval still be a home for nitrates or will it be ok. Also since i'm cleaning it every two weeks, should i leave the sponges out, or put them back in? thanks for your help.

08/28/2006, 04:42 PM	#3
rtecanoe Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oakdale, Long Island Posts: 512	The fluval will be good for your carbon, but I wouldn't put the sponges back in. __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: 180 gallon reef

08/28/2006, 10:57 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd just put the carbon top to avoid disassembling the rock area for changes. No need to make more work. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/28/2006, 04:24 PM	#2
DerekABZ Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 21	i used my fluval as a polishing filter to get rid of the sand storm i filled it with filter wool for a couple of days with the sponges ditched, its running now empty of everything and i presume this causes no problems as my params are all good with nitrates between 0 - 5 but im sure som1 with more expertise will say yes/no Cheers Derek

08/28/2006, 05:17 PM	#4
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	if your running it empty your pretty much just using it for water movement which is fine. If kept clean it wont be a problem.

08/28/2006, 10:15 PM	#5
yeame Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: maine Posts: 488	fill it with rubble rock as long as you don't cram the rock in it it will be fine for a long time my 404 is going on 4 years I went to clean it and it had millions of pods in it so I haven't bothered with it

08/28/2006, 10:51 PM	#6
creep Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cypress, Ca Posts: 379	thats a good idea to put ruble rock in there, i never thought of that. I also want to have carbon in there to help keep the water crystal clear. should i put the carbon above or below the rubble rock? I would say above to make it easier to change, but also below to let some of the pods enter the tank easier.

08/29/2006, 09:00 PM	#8
yeame Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: maine Posts: 488	I have never run corbon in any of my reef tanks but if you do make sure it is a good brand that dosn't fill your tank with phosphates