What goes in the back?

[apipkin]

I was reading online today about the RSM 250 (I've had mine for a little over a year) and the thread stated that the sponges in the back are a nitrate factory. I've been rinsing/replacing my sponges, but if this is true, should I just remove them? Is there anything else in the back worth removing too (bio ring, carbon)?

Is there a better skimmer to use rather than the one that comes with the tank?

Also, is there a GFO that is common that is placed in the back?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Joeys Tank]

They are a nitrate factory if you allow them to collect waste and give it weeks to decay. If you are cleaning out your sponges weekly, then this isn't an issue. I never had a 250 so I can't provide inputs on equipment sized for the tank, but there are many 250 users and tank chronicles you can check out and see what equipment they went with.

 

[Big Pete]

Hi Apipkin

I too run an RSM250 and I have removed the sponges and the bio rings, I am currently running the Deltec MC 500 skimmer and its very good.

if you are going to remove the bio rings then remove them 25% at a time over a period of a few weeks, that way you give your live rock a chance to catch up with your present bio load.

patience's is the key


cheers


Big Pete

 

[Pat24601]

As I move from exited newbie to somewhat more experienced newbie, I find myself wanting to spend less time on maintenance. So, while I was cleaning my sponges weekly, I'm starting to think I may just remove them.

My main thing, really, is I'd like to put some filter floss in its place as I currently put filter floss on top of my sponges--just to get a little bit of mechanical filtration. So, I'm not sure where I'll put it if I take out the sponges.

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

Many of us don't run the black sponges in our RSM 250s and very few run the bio-rings

Lots run Chemical Filtration of... one 100 ml bag of Purigen & two 11.74 oz bags of CPE (Chemi-Pure-Elite, which is a high grade carbon and Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO)

 

[Big Pete]

with the media basket it allows you to fit floss beside the white floss that you have on the left hand rear chamber, that's about as much mechanical filtration as i have, its also real easy to clean and takes a matter of minutes.

like nanoreefing4fun i run Purigen and Rowafos, i cannot buy Chemi -Pure here.

 

[Pat24601]

Thanks, Pete! I think I'll do that.

How are you running rowaphos? In a reactor?

 

[Big Pete]

Hi Pat

no I have it bagged and in my media rack, its not ideal but it works for now, I am thinking of buying a reactor within the next few months but I a still doing some research on it.

cheers

Big Pete

 

[Abanks8]

Just dropped the sponge and added a bio pellet reactor. Was having an issue with nitrates but now they're pretty undetectable!

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

to ReefSanctuary, a real Sanctuary of reef forums, with lots of very nice members

 

Start a new tank thread & share your tank with us so we can follow along - we love pics

 

[Pat24601]

Hi Pat

no I have it bagged and in my media rack, its not ideal but it works for now, I am thinking of buying a reactor within the next few months but I a still doing some research on it.

cheers

Big Pete

Actually, I like this answer. I'm trying to figure out what to do and if this works for you, I think I'll copy it. . I haven't used rowaphos before and evertytime I read about it people were using it in a reactor. I can't figure out a convenient wat to use a reactor with a C-250, so if a media bag is working for you, I'll try that.