Aquapod 12 Filtration Question

Sparty00 · #1 08/22/2007, 09:32 AM

I am setting up an Aquapod 12 and have some questions regarding filtration. These systems come with sponge filter, bioballs, ceramic media, and carbon. There are three chambers to place this media into.

I want to discard all of this media, and set this system up using Live Rock as biological filtration instead of bio-balls.

What other recommendations are out there for other media to be used with this system in the other two chambers?

Thanks !

Illuminati · #2 08/22/2007, 09:55 AM

Both Chmi-pure & Purigen are popular. They keep nitrates down, improve water clarity and helps keep Ph steady.

I have always said that adding live rock rubble to the back chambers is a waste. If you have plenty of rock in the display the little amount you put in the back chambers can't have that much of an impact.

argetni44 · #3 08/22/2007, 10:46 AM

Definately purigen... it's awesome... you may want to continue with the sponge though... because the aquapod's tend to put out microbubbles sometimes, and that could be used as a bubble trap in the third chamber...

argetni44 · #4 08/22/2007, 10:48 AM

as for the live rubble rock in the back, i think it may prove useful... yes, marine/reef setups tend to have a great deal of biological already in the display part of the tank, but its only a 12 gallon tank... if you add more rock to the other chambers, you may even contribute to the copepod population some more and boost the biological along with that... biological is GOOD... do it...

IslandCrow · #5 08/22/2007, 06:24 PM

I keep rock rubble on the bottom of my frag tank not for filtration, but as ready substrate for my zoa and mushroom frags to attach to. Seeing how much detritus they collect, I don't think I'd ever use rock rubble for filtration. In my frag tank, I can easily vacuum or blow it off the rocks, but it seems like it would be that much harder to keep it clean in one of the Aquapod chambers. Anyway, that's obviously not based on experience, just a thought.

In my 12g AP, I just use PURA pads. They seem to work well, but I've only had my AP up and running for about 5 months. I do have trace amounts of nitrates (usually < 1 ppm).