Questions about filtration for a 10 gallon saltwater nano

[EmmanuelJB]

1. How does this sound for filtration-
Filter 1: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/Product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3610 (Aqua Clear 30)
Media:
Poly Filter
Purigen
A little bit of biological media

Filter 2: (also a protien skimmer): http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCatalog/ctl3684/cp18489/si2373025/cl1/taam_rio_nano_skimmer?&query=Nano+Skimmer&queryType=0&hits=12&offset= (Taam Rio Nano Skimmer)
Media:
Cardridge
Activated Carbon

How does that sound for filtration on a 10 gallon?

2. While my aquarium is cycling should the Purigen and Poly filters be in the filter?

3. How long until purigen needs to be recharged?

(I am mainly concerned about my first question so if you don't know 2 and 3 just answer 1)

Any tips about filtration would be great!

[coachfraley]

#1 sounds fine, but you won't need any bio media, your live rock will be all you need.

I have heard really bad things about item #2.

I would go without, or pay more for a better skimmer.

[EmmanuelJB]

I thought number 2 would be better than nothing...

[EmmanuelJB]

Also What do you prefer, Chemi-Pure or Purigen and why?

[MCHRKiller]

Its better than nothing, but its still not a really good skimmer.

Chemi-Pure Elite is great for marine tanks as it will remove phosphate...as will Polyfilter. But Purigen really stands out in removing heavy metals, organics and the fact it is rechargable.

[EmmanuelJB]

Also I know you told me to get Oceanic salt over Instant Ocean, but I have been reading reviews and Instant ocean seems to be getting better reviews than Oceanic, Plus I have tons of Instant Ocean from our last SW aquarium (we had 5 years ago). I want to do whats best for my tank so if you really think Oceanic is better I will use it instead. I have heard with Oceanic I will need to add buffers is that true? If so what do I need to add. Also people are saying that all of the calcium disolves out after 1 day, is that true?

[MCHRKiller]

Unless your keeping coral the level of Calcium wont matter so much, also your aragonite substrate will provide enough buffers for pH stabilization. I never recommend Instant Ocean because I have always had terrible results using it, some others have good results with it of course. No matter what system I have used it on, the tank always gets infested with algae. I have never used it with corals as I have always opted for the reef specific salt for that.

[EmmanuelJB]

Ok thanks, I have a new question now lol!

Well I was just reading an article about nano reefs and it says there are more disadvantages, than advantages to having a protien skimmer in a nano reef, have you heard this?

[MCHRKiller]

The only disadvantages would be that skimmers will strip out some trace elements form the water which could be made more noticeable in a small system. If your not keeping corals, that also probably wont be an issue. In my experience with a 15G nano...the skimmer was much more of a benefit than anything as it did help me control phosphate and nitrate to keep the tank in nice condition. Supplementing corals was an easy task done with every WC.

[EmmanuelJB]

The only possibility for coral would be some low light ones.

[MCHRKiller]

Weekly dosing with Reef Plus and maybe some Carbonate and Reef Complete would be more than you need.

[labnjab]

If you have the instant ocean then i would use it. If you don't like it then u can switch when u get low. I personally love it and have had great results with it. I do suppliment calcium and magnessium in the water change water but we also have a lot of stony coral. If your doing only soft the u shouldnt have to dose