filter service

[Charles D. Mayfield]

I have a 65 gallon salt water tank, that I started up in o2/o8. I have marineland 360 canaster filter.I was servicing my filter every 6 weeks.But I started servicing it every 8 weeks,because my nitrite,& ammonia always reads 0ppm. & my ph is 8.0 to 8.2. I have a little problem with nitrate being a little high. So maby i was servicing the tank to often. & from what i read maby I should remove my carbon bags? PS. i also have a skimmer on the tank.

[travie]

Do you have any live rock in the tank? How often and how big are your water changes? Carbon doesn't need to be run 24/7/365, but it is good to run it on the tank a few days every month.

[rageybug]

I would say that if you have about 70-75lbs of good quality live rock, you won't need the canister filter at all. I only have a protein skimmer, and 100lbs of LR in my 70g, no other filtration. Unless you have a specific reason to run the filter, I'd sell it or store it, save the hassels of cleaning it all the time!

As far as carbon, I thought it was not the best idea to use it in a SW tank. Mabe I need to do some more reading but I sort of remember hearing that carbon can be harmfull to some inverts and/or corals. I could be wrong though...

[kaybee]

...I have a little problem with nitrate being a little high....

How high is "a little high"? What type of media are you running in the canister? How much live rock is in the tank and how deep is your sand bed?
Also, what is actually done when the canister is "serviced"?

...As far as carbon, I thought it was not the best idea to use it in a SW tank...Mabe I need to do some more reading but I sort of remember hearing that carbon can be harmfull to some inverts and/or corals. I could be wrong though...

It most cases carbon can be used with out harm to inverts and/or corals; particularly in reef tanks which house corals which engage in 'chemical warfare (many soft corals fall into this catergory). Carbon removes the toxins they emit. Also other corals (many SPS types, etc) thrive in nutrient-free/nigh nutrient free conditions, and carbon (as well as protein skimmingm etc) can contribute to attain that environment.

In other cases, certain corals (goniopora and alveopora come to mind) may thrive better in water that has higher dissolved organic compound levels (which carbon adsorbs).

[rageybug]

Excellent info KAYBEE, thanks!!