Filter Questions

[brigette17]

ok so i have 2 double external filters that i used for my 55 gallon freshwater tank,can i use those filters on a marine tank??

 

[BigC]

Hi,
No reason why not. But you'd have to take out all the media and use them for carbon and for phosphate removers (Rowaphos)
Regards
BigC

 

[andywg]

Alternatively you can keep all the standard media in it and use it as a filter to process ammonia and nitrites.

 

[BigC]

Alternatively you can keep all the standard media in it and use it as a filter to process ammonia and nitrites.

Not wishing to cross you andy just seeking to educate myself. Does that work. I thought that in a sealed pod it may give rise to heavy detrius buildup leading to algal probs.
Please enlighten me further.
Regards
BigC

 

[andywg]

Not wishing to cross you andy just seeking to educate myself. Does that work. I thought that in a sealed pod it may give rise to heavy detrius buildup leading to algal probs.
Please enlighten me further.
Regards
BigC

It only gives rise to detritus if you don't bother to clean it out and allow physical waste to sit in there and break down.

 

[brigette17]

umm but wont the salt in the water be taken away??

 

[ben1987]

What do you mean? by the filter media or by cleaning it?

 

[SkiFletch]

umm but wont the salt in the water be taken away??

No, once the salt is dissolved in solution, a simpl e mechanical filter as exists in most externals cannot remove it.

And to clear up some confusion, canister filters CAN be used on marine tanks. If Nitrates are not a problem for you (ie FO setup), then using them is not a bad thing. they should be cleaned somewhere between bi-weekly and monthly though.

If nitrates are an issue for you (ie a reef tank), canisters are rarely a good idea as they tend to trap detritus and promote nitrates unless cleaned religiously. and fact of the matter is, few of us are that dilligent with our tanks, thus they're GENERALLY not a good idea for people with reef tanks.