[MatthewR]

Hello I have a question for everyone and anyone. I have an emp. 400 filter on my tank, but also have a 20 sump. I was wondering if anyone has taken the carbon bags out and the bio-wheels and just put cheato in it?? I pulled the carbon filters out and saw them covered with little critters, probably copepods and other things. And well they are getting sucked up and never returning back to the tank so want to do something about it.

[Hosser]

I recently pulled my charcoal filters out and plan on filling the chambers with LR rubble. I had thought about the cheato way but I was worried about it growing out. I kept the sponge filters in for particulates and I did notice a differance in water quality even though I changed those filters once a week. Im watching this thread closely now to see if anyone else has any ideas, thanks for the topic.

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by hosser

I recently pulled my charcoal filters out and plan on filling the chambers with LR rubble. I had thought about the cheato way but I was worried about it growing out. I kept the sponge filters in for particulates and I did notice a differance in water quality even though I changed those filters once a week. Im watching this thread closely now to see if anyone else has any ideas, thanks for the topic.

the most I've seen on threads so far talk of the live rock rummble
i don't know for sure but it makes sense. They say lr is the best form of filtration on some sites

[Todd L]

Hello there! Saw this thread and thought I'd put in my two cents!
I have a 40gal FOWLR with a cannister filter that I placed LR rubble in two of the four sections. The bottom remains a mechanical filter, middle two rubble and the top charcoal. It seems to be working fine!

I also had constructed a type of HOB fuge I intended to use more as an algae filter, with the hopes of an added benefit of pod growth but have yet to see anything happening there.
All of the original algae I had in there died off I think due to a very low flow on top of having set it up so the fuge was fed off of the outlet from my skimmer. Someone told me they thought the water was too oxygenated to allow for growth so they died. I re-arranged things and am feeding it off of a pump now and I'm waiting right now for one of the guys here to send me some chaeto in the mail so I can get it back on track.

I also have LR in my HOB, and am waiting for more funds so I can get more LR for my main....but yes, from what I understand the more LR the better. It's worked for me in getting my nitrates down to 0, and the only issue I seem to be having yet is slightly elevated phosphates.