External Filter Options

[jeasko]

Just starting to get back on top of my 145ltr reef system again after some neglect in the last 2 years ( new baby. And moving house along with other personal things) all my stats stayed fine and have been monitored maybe not as often as I should have , and water changes were done but not religiously but the result is the tank and inhabitants have survived.

In this time the only nuisance thing has been green algae but my phosphates nitrates etc are all at 0 my 250w mh lamp was changed within last 8 months on the pendant so can only assume there is an issue else where, the tank has a HOB Fuge with plenty of cheato In it doing well and an external canister filter which being the water changes were not regular I'm guessing is harbouring nitrates and phosphates coupled with the fact my uv sterilizer has just had a lamp change after 2 years! Im guessing both of these issues have caused my algae outbreak.

My problem is I want to remove the standard filter media and replace it with something more tank friendly, considered removing it completely as Fuge is using MM but the output from the canister filter is running through the uv sterilizer so my choices that I know of are just use filter without media to run through sterilizer or use LR rubble in filter? Would rather use it to filter as it would be a fail safe as not sure when I have to replace MM in Fuge but don't know of anything other than LR option in canister that will do this? Any suggestions would be welcome!

 

[MBOU]

Dont know bout the filters etc..

But have you considered it isnt the nitrates and phosphates (or not completely) but the silicates? This seems to me to be far more common!!

Others can advise on filters etc, but i have found RowaPhos to be *amazing*, took two weeks to work but completely cured and 'incurable' algae problem! Removes silicates as well as phosphates...

 

[jeasko]

Have considered that and some is on its way we'll the seachem Phosguard is as can't get rowaphos that easy down here at mo for some reason, my reason for considering that this is causing a prob is that the cheato will beat the other algae for consuming phosphates and if it doesn't the algae in the tank consumes it hence the 0 reading, but your thoughts confirm my idea that it's silicates that are the issue here, which to my understanding are difficult or impossible to test for

In all probability though my lack of strictness with the tank leaves me in no doubt hat the canister filter is harbouring stuff I don't want as well hence my thinking find a different way to filter or just use it as a pump for uv just a shame the only options are LR rubble or circulation pump

 

[jeasko]

While I'm on the subject am I right in thinking that LR rubble is pointless in the filter as the LR in the tank will take care of bio filtration? Bit of a contentious issue this I know but seems pointless putting rock that is the same as in your tank into a filter where you don't even see it

 

[-Nemo-]

People use rubble rock in filters because of the greater surface area it provides, therefore allowing for more bacteria.

 

[MBOU]

Silicates arent impossible to test for You just need a Silicates test kit that few people have on the shelf, JBL to a good one!

Dont know much about seachem products but assume they remove silicates then...

 

[jeasko]

If I go down the LRR route in the filter Would it mean I could do less frequent filter cleans for example every other water change?