filter help

[debs asw]

I set up a salt water tank a few months ago, and have an outside filter
on it. I;m getting conflicting info from the different fish shops I've
gone to. One says to use charcoal with it, the other says not to. WHat
go you guys do? debs

[Billy]

"debs asw" > wrote in message
...
|I set up a salt water tank a few months ago, and have an outside
filter
| on it. I;m getting conflicting info from the different fish shops
I've
| gone to. One says to use charcoal with it, the other says not to.
WHat
| go you guys do? debs
|

Some people use carbon all the time. Most, in my experience, do not.
I like to think of activated carbon as a kind of medication. I only
use it when there is a clear and present need for it. (remove drug
treatments from the water, etc)

When you say 'outside filter' what type of filter do you mean? Is it
a power filter than hangs on the side, or a canister filter that sits
on the floor?

[George Patterson]

debs asw wrote:
>
> I set up a salt water tank a few months ago, and have an outside filter
> on it. I;m getting conflicting info from the different fish shops I've
> gone to. One says to use charcoal with it, the other says not to. WHat
> go you guys do? debs

I use Aquarium Pharmaceutical's "Bio Chem Zorb" and Boyd's "Chemipure." They
both come in filter bags and I put one of each in my filter. The cheapest price
I've seen is at http://shop.store.yahoo.com/pet-guys .

George Patterson
He who would distinguish what is true from what is false must have an
adequate understanding of truth and falsehood.

[BiG Orange]

You don't use anything unless you need to.

[debs asw]

the filter is the kind that hang on the outside. I also have an
undergravel filter with power heads. I have a lg. fresh water tank, so
have a canaster filter on hand that I pop on there occasionally when
theres trouble, cloudiness, etc. but I don't leave it on all the time.
I figure if my salt water tanks ever has a problem I can clean it and
pop it on it for a while too. deb

[BiG Orange]

You don't use UG filters in sal****er, they are nitrate factories, the
outside filter can be as well if you are not careful.

[jaypython]

hi deb....charcoal or carbon is fine to use..you have to replace it
every few months or so but thats it.it is good for removing toxins and
medicines from aquaria water,and also removes any colour from the
water,leaving it really clear.

One thing i will coment on is your use of the canister filter;

If you are going to use it it you must keep it running all the time.if
you have it running for say a few weeks,a nice bacterial colony will
start to form inside it,which reduces nitrates ammonia etc.and then when
you switch it off all that bacteria will die off,rendering it useless.so
my advice is use it all the time or not at all.:)

hope this helps.

jay.



--
Posted via CichlidFish.com
http://www.cichlidfish.com/portal/forums

[Billy]

"jaypython" -DONTEMAIL> wrote in message
...
thing i will coment on is your use of the canister filter;
|
| If you are going to use it it you must keep it running all the
time.if
| you have it running for say a few weeks,a nice bacterial colony
will
| start to form inside it,which reduces nitrates ammonia etc.and then
when
| you switch it off all that bacteria will die off,rendering it
useless.so
| my advice is use it all the time or not at all.:)
|

\She's not using a can, see remainder of thread. She has a PF.

[jaypython]

posted by deb....quote
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
so have a canaster filter on hand that I pop on there occasionally when
theres trouble, cloudiness, etc. but I don't leave it on all the time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------

:confused:



--
Posted via CichlidFish.com
http://www.cichlidfish.com/portal/forums

[Billy]

"jaypython" -DONTEMAIL> wrote in message
...
|
| :confused:
|

No, apparently I was confused first. <g> As long as the filter is
cleaned up between uses, it's a great plan. I use a Magnum HOT on my
75 as a diatom filter for water polishing. If the filter is just
turned off and put away, that's bad.