External (hang on back) filters for Nanos

ReeferKimberly · 06/05/2012, 12:29 PM

I have read a lot about why they suck. Why I should get a skimmer or sump/fuge ect. Point is, I don't have the money (right now). I only have a 10 gallon tank. I was using a penguin filter rated for a 30 gallon WITH media. I took out the media except for the bio-wheel because I read the cartridges create high nitrates and also trap pods and other food particles. So now it's just the filter without cartridge creating lots of water flow. I also have a LOT of live rock. Maybe 2/3 of the volume is rock. I do 15% water changes about every 2 days because I like to feed a lot and have many corals and 3 fish (which I know is too much for a 10 gallon which is why I do changes often and am downgrading to only 2 fish in the coming week)

Do you think the flow created from the filter (which is pretty heavy, for this small tank) and the large volume of live rock + frequent changes are ok, for now? I don't plan to do a sump or skimmer for this small a tank, it's possible I may so a refugium one day, I am still figuring out how to even do that.

Thank you guys! Learning lots

Denbf58 · 06/05/2012, 12:39 PM

you can run media in the filter as long as you change it every week or two the bio wheel can relaese nitrates . you can run with out a sump or skimmer as long as you keep up on water changes . are you having any problems with algae or canyo if not your doing good

chad316 · 06/05/2012, 12:45 PM

I've seen many "thriving" smaller tanks with HOB filters. Are all your test levels okay?

06/05/2012, 12:29 PM	#1
ReeferKimberly Marley & Me Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Roseville, California Posts: 1,452	External (hang on back) filters for Nanos I have read a lot about why they suck. Why I should get a skimmer or sump/fuge ect. Point is, I don't have the money (right now). I only have a 10 gallon tank. I was using a penguin filter rated for a 30 gallon WITH media. I took out the media except for the bio-wheel because I read the cartridges create high nitrates and also trap pods and other food particles. So now it's just the filter without cartridge creating lots of water flow. I also have a LOT of live rock. Maybe 2/3 of the volume is rock. I do 15% water changes about every 2 days because I like to feed a lot and have many corals and 3 fish (which I know is too much for a 10 gallon which is why I do changes often and am downgrading to only 2 fish in the coming week) Do you think the flow created from the filter (which is pretty heavy, for this small tank) and the large volume of live rock + frequent changes are ok, for now? I don't plan to do a sump or skimmer for this small a tank, it's possible I may so a refugium one day, I am still figuring out how to even do that. Thank you guys! Learning lots

06/05/2012, 12:39 PM	#2
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	you can run media in the filter as long as you change it every week or two the bio wheel can relaese nitrates . you can run with out a sump or skimmer as long as you keep up on water changes . are you having any problems with algae or canyo if not your doing good __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

06/05/2012, 12:45 PM	#3
chad316 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 162	I've seen many "thriving" smaller tanks with HOB filters. Are all your test levels okay? __________________ Chad Current Tank Info: 65 gallon tank