Do I need a power filter?

SanDiegoreefer · 09/25/2006, 11:26 PM

I have a 46 gal tank with a Remora skimmer, and 46 lbs live rock. The tank is cycling. I have a power filter, but do I really need it? It causes splashing. I have a plastic cover over the tank to protect the lights from the water. The water drys and creates areas of dried salt.

bertoni · 09/25/2006, 11:33 PM

Lots of people run without power filters. I have four tanks, and no power filters. If you don't like it, ditch it.

SanDiegoreefer · 09/25/2006, 11:42 PM

Do more people use them with reef tanks or not?

mg426 · 09/25/2006, 11:48 PM

I use one on my Refugium to run carbon in but thats all its ever used for.

Marinemom · 09/26/2006, 07:06 AM

I just ditched my power filter on my 60 gallon reef since it finally died. I did not see a need to replace it since I have four powerheads and a powersweep going along with my protien skimmer. There is also plenty of live rock in there for biological filteration. If you do not like the power filter, then get rid of it as long as you have plenty of flow and live rock in your aquarium.

Marinemom

Avi · 09/26/2006, 07:46 AM

You really don't need it at all. If you do use it, I'd say you should use it only for carbon, and then make sure you replace it fairly often because carbon has a short useful life. But, I don't think even the carbon is really necessary unless your getting a yellowing to the water in your reef. I'd also suggest that you get another ten to tweny-pounds of live rock. What you have plus that addition, along with your protein skimmer is all that you'd need and so you can ditch the power filter.

09/25/2006, 11:26 PM	#1
SanDiegoreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 94	Do I need a power filter? I have a 46 gal tank with a Remora skimmer, and 46 lbs live rock. The tank is cycling. I have a power filter, but do I really need it? It causes splashing. I have a plastic cover over the tank to protect the lights from the water. The water drys and creates areas of dried salt.

09/25/2006, 11:33 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Lots of people run without power filters. I have four tanks, and no power filters. If you don't like it, ditch it. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

09/25/2006, 11:48 PM	#4
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I use one on my Refugium to run carbon in but thats all its ever used for. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

09/26/2006, 07:46 AM	#6
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	You really don't need it at all. If you do use it, I'd say you should use it only for carbon, and then make sure you replace it fairly often because carbon has a short useful life. But, I don't think even the carbon is really necessary unless your getting a yellowing to the water in your reef. I'd also suggest that you get another ten to tweny-pounds of live rock. What you have plus that addition, along with your protein skimmer is all that you'd need and so you can ditch the power filter. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

09/25/2006, 11:42 PM	#3
SanDiegoreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 94	Do more people use them with reef tanks or not?

09/26/2006, 07:06 AM	#5
Marinemom Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 534	I just ditched my power filter on my 60 gallon reef since it finally died. I did not see a need to replace it since I have four powerheads and a powersweep going along with my protien skimmer. There is also plenty of live rock in there for biological filteration. If you do not like the power filter, then get rid of it as long as you have plenty of flow and live rock in your aquarium. Marinemom