re protein skimmer

littlefoot · 11/18/2006, 11:13 PM

what do u think about running ps and filter. I read u can if u take media out and what does that mean- take the charcoal and those little blue things out so that its empty? I also have powerhead.

Blown 346 · 11/19/2006, 03:08 AM

Yes by media that means to take out the charcoal, ceramic rings, bio balls. If the tank has been running you will want to remove the bio balls( the blue things) pout slowly over a period of time. The bacteria that colonize on those will be greatly reduced if they are taken out all at once. This can cause a cycle.
A few ( 2 or 3 out a week) should be fine.

littlefoot · 11/19/2006, 10:57 AM

2 or 3 a week? that will take long time theres a whole lot in there. dont remenber ceramic rings being inside.

Blown 346 · 11/20/2006, 01:57 AM

That depends on what sixe sytem you have, For some reason i was thinking a nano.
If you have a decent sized system, You can take out a handfull. Just make sure you do this slowly to avoid a cycle.

MASTER_REEFER · 11/20/2006, 02:10 AM

you want to remove the bio balls slowly about 1/3 or less at a time no less then 7-10 days apart as to not shock the system. make sure you keep a close eye on water conditions becouse bio-balls do culture alot of bactera, and removing them all at once can cause a algae bloom from excess nitrates in the tank. hth

11/18/2006, 11:13 PM	#1
littlefoot Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 316	re protein skimmer what do u think about running ps and filter. I read u can if u take media out and what does that mean- take the charcoal and those little blue things out so that its empty? I also have powerhead.

11/19/2006, 03:08 AM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Yes by media that means to take out the charcoal, ceramic rings, bio balls. If the tank has been running you will want to remove the bio balls( the blue things) pout slowly over a period of time. The bacteria that colonize on those will be greatly reduced if they are taken out all at once. This can cause a cycle. A few ( 2 or 3 out a week) should be fine.

11/19/2006, 10:57 AM	#3
littlefoot Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 316	2 or 3 a week? that will take long time theres a whole lot in there. dont remenber ceramic rings being inside.

11/20/2006, 01:57 AM	#4
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	That depends on what sixe sytem you have, For some reason i was thinking a nano. If you have a decent sized system, You can take out a handfull. Just make sure you do this slowly to avoid a cycle.

11/20/2006, 02:10 AM	#5
MASTER_REEFER Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Posts: 82	you want to remove the bio balls slowly about 1/3 or less at a time no less then 7-10 days apart as to not shock the system. make sure you keep a close eye on water conditions becouse bio-balls do culture alot of bactera, and removing them all at once can cause a algae bloom from excess nitrates in the tank. hth