wrong filtration???

woogy · 03/31/2007, 06:10 PM

I currently have 2 ac 30s on the side of the tank, which i run carbon and the foam in the one. The other one I run chemipure. I have a mj600 for flow in the tank. I have 45lbs. of LR.

parameters are:
pH: 8.4
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0.05
nitrate:20-40

I change the carbon monthly and the foam every 2 months. Should I change more often? Rinse my foam more often?

383camaro · 03/31/2007, 06:34 PM

Do you do any water changes? You dont have any fish? Nitrate comes from waste, left over food / anmial waste, or not using RO/DI water for top off/ water changes. Rinsing your filters often will help because you wash away waste before it can break down. Some people will tell you to get rid of the foam, but with out a skimmer i dont think it will make a difference. I would rinse the filters at least once a week.

zoomfish1 · 03/31/2007, 06:38 PM

You'll have to do consistant water changes to get your nitrates down. Also, why do you have nitrites? This is an existing tank or a new one?

woogy · 03/31/2007, 06:47 PM

I honestly do not know why I have nitrites. I change the water once a week at least 5 gallons. There are no fish. The tank has been running 5 yrs+. I feed my shrimp and urchin every other day with a 1/4 cube of frozen mysis and the urchin green seaweed sheet. You mean rinse the filter every week or just the sponge?

t5Nitro · 03/31/2007, 06:52 PM

You only need to rinse the foam about once a month, but weekly is better if you can do that.

How old are the test kits and what brands? Water changes and established for 5 years doesn't sound right having nitrites.

woogy · 03/31/2007, 07:10 PM

should i rinse the foam with water from my waterchanges? Should I squeeze the foam out or just let the water run over it? I am testing with red sea test kits.

03/31/2007, 06:10 PM	#1
woogy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western PA Posts: 986	wrong filtration??? I currently have 2 ac 30s on the side of the tank, which i run carbon and the foam in the one. The other one I run chemipure. I have a mj600 for flow in the tank. I have 45lbs. of LR. parameters are: pH: 8.4 ammonia: 0 nitrite: 0.05 nitrate:20-40 I change the carbon monthly and the foam every 2 months. Should I change more often? Rinse my foam more often?

03/31/2007, 06:38 PM	#3
zoomfish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	You'll have to do consistant water changes to get your nitrates down. Also, why do you have nitrites? This is an existing tank or a new one? __________________ Zoomfish Current Tank Info: 75g RR, dsb w/90 lbs sand, 150 lb live rock, anemone & LPS tank

03/31/2007, 06:52 PM	#5
t5Nitro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,384	You only need to rinse the foam about once a month, but weekly is better if you can do that. How old are the test kits and what brands? Water changes and established for 5 years doesn't sound right having nitrites. __________________ ATI T5 club Current Tank Info: Left the hobby, looking to re-enter in the future

03/31/2007, 06:34 PM	#2
383camaro Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Alaska Posts: 120	Do you do any water changes? You dont have any fish? Nitrate comes from waste, left over food / anmial waste, or not using RO/DI water for top off/ water changes. Rinsing your filters often will help because you wash away waste before it can break down. Some people will tell you to get rid of the foam, but with out a skimmer i dont think it will make a difference. I would rinse the filters at least once a week.

03/31/2007, 06:47 PM	#4
woogy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western PA Posts: 986	I honestly do not know why I have nitrites. I change the water once a week at least 5 gallons. There are no fish. The tank has been running 5 yrs+. I feed my shrimp and urchin every other day with a 1/4 cube of frozen mysis and the urchin green seaweed sheet. You mean rinse the filter every week or just the sponge?

03/31/2007, 07:10 PM	#6
woogy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western PA Posts: 986	should i rinse the foam with water from my waterchanges? Should I squeeze the foam out or just let the water run over it? I am testing with red sea test kits.